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London's best French restaurants
From haute cuisine institutions to neighbourhood bistros, these places will make you go 'oh la la!'
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Trinity
Chef-proprietor Adam Byatt opened Trinity in 2006 to a string of hugely positive reviews; now the restaurant is even better. On our last two visits, we were wowed by the cheery atmosphere, charming service and st...
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The Ledbury
There are few chefs that produce a set menu of dishes that you want to try as much as their à la carte, but the Ledbury's Brett Graham - an Australian in the quiet achiever mould - does so as a matter of routine...
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Le Cercle
A western partner of the Club and Comptoir Gascons in Smithfield, Le Cercle eschews its confrères' bustle for an atmosphere more suited to a spot just off Sloane Square - smart, multinational, a little brittle a...
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Hélène Darroze at the Connaught
There's a certain defiance evident in Hélène Darroze's evolving menu. Asian flavours are overt, from tandoori spices, via sarawak and lampong pepper, to gomasio and miso; Scottish salmon is presented as homage ...
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La Petite Maison
The London offshoot of one of Nice's most feted and famous restaurants, La Petite Maison has breezy, white-painted walls, waiters in striped aprons, and trademark table centrepieces of fresh lemons and tomatoes. ...
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Le Gavroche
Le Gavroche's set lunch is famously good value - the £51 charge includes a half bottle of wine, coffee and petits fours - and you'll need to book well ahead to snag a table. Come for dinner, however, and you can...
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Galvin La Chapelle
Brother Jeff's patch of the Galvin empire, La Chapelle is no mere branch of Baker Street's Bistrot de Luxe, but an altogether more elegant destination for modern French cuisine. Look at the 100ft-high vaulted cei...
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Boundary
Boundary is one of three eateries in a Conran complex on ultra-fashionable Redchurch Street: the more casual Albion café and the summer Rooftop bar make up the trio and there's also a hotel, as evidenced by the ...
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Roussillon
You might spot a red-coated Chelsea pensioner on your way to this calm, sober restaurant not far from Sloane Square, and you'll likely encounter an older clientele inside too. The lunch deal is excellent value, ...
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Le Cassoulet
Chef-patron Malcolm John's first restaurant in South Croydon (the second is Fish & Grill) has been a hit since opening; it won our Best Local Restaurant award in 2008. Burgundy paintwork, together with red-and-go...
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La Trompette
An established destination, with links to the Ledbury, Chez Bruce and the Glasshouse, La Trompette has earned an enthusiastic following of business types, mature diners and romancing couples. The dining room is f...
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L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
One of several Ateliers around the world, this is a slick operation, all black lacquer and red highlights, staffed by a team of professionals in smart black uniforms. There's a bar, a first-floor restaurant (La C...
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Kettner's
Smack bang in the centre of Soho, Kettner's has been a stalwart of West End dining since 1867; more recently it served as a branch of Pizza Express. After a 2009 refurb and subsequent renaissance, the venue seems...
Special offer: Pre and Post Theatre Menu: 2 courses £14.50 or 3 courses £18.50. + more offers
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Galvin Bistrot de Luxe
With its elegant dark-wood panelling, crisp linen and precise combination of class and conviviality, this is one of London's best renderings of a classic Parisian bistro - equally well primed for a business lunch...
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Club Gascon
Diners need a sense of adventure at Club Gascon, as well as deep pockets (it's unsettling to hear a £23 dish described as a 'taster-size plate'). Still, it's a pleasure to sit back and enjoy the ride. Ignore so...
Comments
Finding a sub-par overpriced French restaurant in London is about as easy as finding a greasy kebab stand.
I'm dissapointed that the selection of restaurants you have chosen to highlight in this article all have a tremendous air of snobbery to them, which honestly doesn't help the negative connotation this cuisine already has with English people.
Being a food blogger myself (www.yuppielunch.tumblr.com) and having lived on every continent and tried many different types of cuisines, I find that a good meal can come in every shape or form and from anywhere.
Next time you want to have a great authentic french meal. I recommend.
Chez Manny (http://www.chezmanny.com/). It is one of the only french restaurants in London which brings me back to when I lived in France for over 6 years.
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