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Originally Posted by nequine
(Post 34262778)
Jeez what a rip off at the prices but good that you didn't actually have to pay for it.
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That's not ambitious, that's ridiculous!
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Helene Darroze at the Connaught
The purpose of the trip was also to try the two new and not yet known to me 3-star restaurants. After the skit, it was now Helene Darroze's turn. Since it was not possible to get a table for dinner, it became a lunch.
The hotel is located in the quite conservative Connaught hotel. The restaurant itself is quite modern with a lot of wood. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e8ed0f3061.jpg Amuse Bouche - nice https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5aa23221bb.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4ae1e9d63e.jpg Bread with spectacular butter. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4593bfcb80.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1875795380.jpg Now came the first funny moment. I now once do not drink alcohol, but like non-alcoholic wine. Here I was offered non-alcoholic wine, on closer inspection it was an Alain Milliat grape juice. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e60a7bc33b.jpg Against the grape juice is generally nothing to object, but here 0.1 liters were sold for 12 euros, a 0.33 liter bottle costs € 4.20 in the trade. That is quite a good profit margin. If people take that more frequently, the patron no longer comes out of the laughter. We took the 95 GBP lunch menu. GF took as an appetizer White Asparagus, gurnard, whelks, royal bottarga, white miso. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e70aec34ab.jpg Surprisingly, the dish was quite tasteless and far from 3 stars. I had Lobster, Tandori spices, carrot, vitrus, coriander which came with a 22 GBP surcharge. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...76928b10f5.jpg The dish was good, no question about it. It was not outstanding. Main course was Red Mullet, potato, kohlrabi, taggiasca olives, yuzu kosbo https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1da8333473.jpg A decent dish, although again it was not a taste explosion. I still decided to go for a cheese course. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...125a6b6f96.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...132af92295.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5e92f23230.jpg Pre dessert https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...92ab7e52c0.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b7934d17b4.jpg GF had Chocolate, cocoa pulp, cocoa nibs for dessert. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2899924ff1.jpg Good one. I had Pear, boney, ginger https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bd60f2edfc.jpg Quite good. Really good petit fours https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c99f82e346.jpg The food was good from my point of view, although not at 3 star level for me. 2 stars would be absolutely enough here in my view, I have also eaten in at least as good restaurants with one star. I am glad to have tried it once, but would probably not return here again. There are more exciting restaurants in London. Bill was 339,75 GBP which I found not too little for what was offered. |
The original Claude Darroze in Langeon is still excellent and has regained its star. Have not tried HD at the Connaught, and from your review am not inclined to. That cheese course was pathetic for a 3-star house. If you like good cheese, you'd get much better at Chez Bruce (1-star) on Wandsworth Common.
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Lanesborough Grill
After some shopping and time at the SPA it was time for dinner. In Lanesborough, until just before our stay, there was Celeste, which had a Michelin star. Due to changes in the chef's brigade, the Michelin has cancelled the star this year and they have decided on a new concept with a new name. The cuisine is described as modern British.
The dining room is especially beautiful in the evening. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4b3c4670f9.jpg Good bread to start. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5b5f6025bd.jpg Grilled octopus, sea kale, jersey royals, white almond gazpacho https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7b7955d4d5.jpg Coronation crab salad, curry and lime sabayon https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8a628f7052.jpg Poached native lobster, courgette purée, spring vegetables, lemon verbena butter https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...856b216af8.jpg Grilled monkfish, glazed aubergine, spiced mussel butter https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8e43f8bb83.jpg Glazed caramel white chocolate, Williams pear, vanilla ice cream https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e19d867c05.jpg Rose blend tea ice cream sandwich, rhubarb sorbet https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b71c7ab105.jpg The food was of very good quality and in my view well within the range of a Michelin star. I would eat here again without further ado. |
Courtauld Gallery
The Courtauld Gallery is an art gallery which is located in Sommerset House.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8ab91bfb6b.jpg The famous staircase. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9157dffda9.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...dbaa6f7c03.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...589d54c831.jpg While many know the museum for its Impressionist collection, the Old Masters are not neglected. There are 29 paintings by Rubens alone. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...63d32d47d7.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9c47abf324.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cd174b041a.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...af3f648854.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...14486b0486.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...79a3dfb01f.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7556b3e517.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...47e6f13eb0.jpg Some of the impressionist paintings. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d4133a33b7.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8703d29447.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d66b9c6aff.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...135fa7fcd5.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a161733c6f.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c03ef96787.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5fdff014a1.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d4260a2e32.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...48872e28b2.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d8365cb666.jpg During our visit, the exhibition "Van Gogh - Self Portraits" was running. Here you had to pre-order tickets, but after the allotted time no one looked so closely. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...76ad295611.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d1010630cc.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2d1cb37390.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ad8275014d.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b4fca10c88.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4c4ea823d2.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...70f8f9c3c7.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...803a14aef0.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...82104d5d51.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...07a52d5916.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0c9a426744.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...71f2027030.jpg |
St. Mary Le Stand
A short visit to St. MAry Le strand, which is located on a traffic island. It´s from the 18th century.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4b4376f104.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...aa0beb60be.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...71b6521248.jpg |
Been past it many a time in London so nice to see what it looks on the inside.
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Originally Posted by nequine
(Post 34289476)
Been past it many a time in London so nice to see what it looks on the inside.
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British Museum
Next, we went to the British Museum. Of course, you could spend almost infinite time here, basically it's several world class museums in one. Here are some impressions, we skipped the popular mummy section.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f998ea3f97.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1b8e6ed504.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...321a3a73bd.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...126a6d27b7.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...22aaa4106e.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fcd1dae8c1.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...248299de4b.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2fe8e1a5b0.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f0eb8f77f3.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5b65c686cc.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f02ce30ca0.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b7fe194c7f.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b3809b5737.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b1d7510477.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e3faa06c22.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4495b27e65.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7b72dcc9c5.jpg |
Claude Bosi at Bibendum
Claude Bosi was on my list for quite some time, but somehow it didn't work out. Bseonders had always irritated me the windows in the dining room, but about that later. This time it was time (especially since my favorite restaurant Claire Smith had no table free).
Claude Bosi is no stranger to London, he previously cooked at Hibiscus where he had 2 Michelin stars. Since 2017 he has his restaurant in the Michelin house on Fulham Road, also here he has 2 Michelin stars. Even from the outside, the building is very pretty and you can see the distinctive windows. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...04a392f544.jpg In the front area is the Oyster Bay, there is a separate entrance to the restaurant. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...751a948d12.jpg A staircase leads to the second floor with the restaurant. Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of the large window from the inside, but it is really a very nice room. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8d9a565755.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...28a2155947.jpg There is an a la carte menu (3 courses 145 GBP), the Tasting of Season menu with 9 courses (175 GBP - also vegetarian) and the Classic menu with 7 courses (195 GBP). Cheese is in both version 18 GBP extra. It's a little strange that the "larger menu" costs £20 less than the "small" one, but there you go. We took the Classic menu as the pescetarian version. Here is the lineup: https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9f687ed788.jpg A little cake and a mocktail. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...78cefd38e3.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fcf63d6fc5.jpg Miniature tastes. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2f659d7542.jpg Bibendum egg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...71daa0bbeb.jpg It is one of the most famous dishes and despite its size is quite complex. Of course, the egg cup in the hoop design was cool. In general, the tableware and especially the silver pieces are exceptional. Here times the salt and pepper shakers. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4e4517264b.jpg The bread also comes with a very unusual butter plate. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4bf357d053.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c72e9b86ca.jpg Such trifles, of course, make the dinner even more interesting, but the food also kept up. White Asparagus https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1bd52a5d8d.jpg An incredibly fresh and tasty dish, especially the spiked cream was a dream. Really a perfect dish. Cornish halibut https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...dca5b3ad71.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9c2e764890.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e04cf1f374.jpg Also a good and coherent dish. Monkfish https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1ed00af8df.jpg The monkfish was very strongly seasoned, some may even find it too spicy. I found it very good. I then still decided to go for the cheese. There was a decent selection. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...01b6389eae.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...227e6b13de.jpg Buttermilk https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7cd6b5c00e.jpg A nice pre-dessert, but now also nothing of which I would have to eat infinitely. Bibendum double chocolate soufflé. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...230f5045cc.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...69f184cfe8.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...469268b3f0.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...dc9a288cda.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4eaa63ae91.jpg Like the egg, it's probably one of the restaurant's most famous dishes, and it was not only outstandingly presented, but incredibly good. For me, the best soufflé I've had in a while. Provided you like chocolate, make sure to definitely go for the soufflé. Petit fours https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d3644d69be.jpg I was really taken with our food, I thought it was better than in the skit and Helen Darroze. But what you can not hide is that the prices are quite high in relation. It is certainly not a cheap pleasure. As a farewell, a view of the building. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2fdc3d8602.jpg |
:LOL at the Michelin man for the butter dish!
Thank god there was something decent sized for dessert as without it, it looks like you'd need to go elsewhere to get something else to eat given the very small portion size! |
Originally Posted by nequine
(Post 34314340)
:LOL at the Michelin man for the butter dish!
Thank god there was something decent sized for dessert as without it, it looks like you'd need to go elsewhere to get something else to eat given the very small portion size! |
Really enjoying this thread..Been to London many times most recently last month and there is always something new to see, even if you've been there before including museums and restaurants and in our case theatre. Agree on the V and A.. There are some great docents to provide tidbits of information on something you think you know. We also..not this time did a tour of the British Museum an hour before opening which was terrific to have the place to 10 of us.
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