L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

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Covent Garden

Luxury

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Time Out says

Wed Oct 17 2012

The multi-storey Robuchon complex (informal La Cuisine on the first floor, bar on the second and Atelier at ground level) is bang in the middle of the West End, but nothing about it says ‘London’. The Atelier is a link in a dozen-strong international chain from the French chef-restaurateur, all sharing the smart if slightly dated bento-box aesthetic of shiny reds and blacks, square central bar, low light and striking curio cabinets; this one has a feature wall of tumbling creeper. It’s a nightclub look that doesn’t play so well at lunchtime, when the crowd can be small.

They’re missing out: while Robuchon’s philosophy of season and terroir is no longer innovative, his standards and quality control remain high, and the set lunch, with the usual haute cuisine trappings, is the most economic way to sample it. An amuse-bouche of foie gras with a port reduction was a masterclass in taste and texture (and an advert for the considerably more expensive and sophisticated à la carte); the menu proper used simpler ingredients but with impeccable technique: a soft-boiled egg that melted into piperade and parsley oil with a snap of tuile and fizz of spice; an onglet that was impeccably cut and cooked and prettily served on lemony polenta. The wine list is the connoisseur’s document you’d expect, and the staff as able.

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Special Offers

Lunch: 2 courses £29

from a set menu (3 courses £35, 4 courses £40). Includes Vat, excludes service.

Offer valid until May 31 2013
Lunch offer: 2 courses with matching wines £39

from a set menu (3 courses £50, 4 courses £60). Includes Vat, excludes service.

Offer valid until May 31 2013
Pre theatre: 2 courses £29

from a set menu (3 courses £35, 4 courses £40). Also available with matching wines (2 courses £39, 3 courses £50 and 4 courses £60). Includes VAT, excludes service.

Offer valid until May 31 2013
Post theatre: 2 courses £29

from a set menu (3 courses £35, 4 courses £40). Also available with matching wines (2 courses £39, 3 courses £50 and 4 courses £60). Includes VAT, excludes service.

Offer valid until May 31 2013

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Address:
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon 13-15 West Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9NE

Phone:
020 7010 8600
Website:
www.joel-robuchon.com
Opening hours:
Bar Open noon-2am Mon-Sat; noon-10.30pm Sun. Ground floor Lunch served noon-2.30pm, dinner served 5.30-10.30pm Mon-Sat; 5.30-10pm Sun. Main courses £15-£55. Set meal (noon-2.30pm, 5.30-6.30pm) £28 2 courses, £32 3 courses, £40 4 courses. 1st floor Lunch served noon-2.30pm, dinner served 6-11.30pm Mon-Sat
Transport:
Tube: Leicester Square tube
Price:
Main courses £15-£55
Map
1. L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
  - 13-15 West Street
    Covent Garden
    London
    WC2H 9NE
  - 020 7010 8600
  - www.joel-robuchon.com
  - 51.513098,-0.128466

Facilities:
Restaurant and bar facilities. Reservations required. Accessible facilities. General facilities. Available for hire
Occasions:
Wow factor. Business. Eating out. Celebrated chefs
Type of event:
Parties

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Comments & ratings

(6 ratings)

We had a great lunch. Six stars for the service: funny good natured maitre d., efficient pleasant waiter, and enthusiastic young person who took us up after the meal to a very agreeable terrace and garden room for coffee. Complimentary bread (various and very fresh), complimentary amuse gueules (oh yes!) and a very good meal. The surroundings are stylish - magically lit, glowing pools of colour - and made us forget the very grey summer outside. Our Time Out booking didn't get through, but they took us anyway, and the coffee and water push the bill up - but altogether, a real treat.

Francis and Mel Thu Jul 5 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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I've been coming to this place for years and they never disappoint. The staff is always lovely and charming; they do an excellent job of catering to your needs. The food is expensive, but this is Joel Robuchon - not some run-of-the-mill Cafe Rogue. It's Haute Cuisine so the flavours might cater to a more sophisticated taste. The portions are small, yes, but the food is anything but average. (And don't come here unless you're planning on spending at least £200 for two people.) This will always be one of my very favorite restaurants in all the world. The wine list is extraordinary and the cooking is flawless.

Me Thu Mar 8 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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I love this place. Been coming here on a fairly regular basis for the past 2 years and apart from one mix up with the time of my reservation sometime in 2009 the service has always been outstanding. The food is gorgeous, the wine list is fantastic and the waiters are super charming and helpful. I'm surprised that people are complaining about the price - yes, it's expensive, but most luxury restaurants are. If you're not prepared to cough up the big bucks then there are plenty of good budget restaurants serving french food in nearby Soho. If it's an anniversary, birthday etc then I'd definitely recommend this restaurant: try the foie gras stuffed quail with truffeled mashed potatoes - amazing!

Many Tue May 24 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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Incredible experience... The best food I have ever had, beautiful service, lovely ambience. I took my girlfriend and spent half my student loan haha... It was worth every penny. Like everything, it will appeal to some more than it will to others.

Dan Tue Apr 26 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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The atmosphere and decoration are great, but the dishes are tiny, tiny, tiny but veeeery expensive. We paid £120 (no wine - just water, 2 people) and I was very hungry when we left the restaurant. Food does not taste exceptionally well and is just not worth the money. If it's possible just go there for drinks at the bar after or before a propper dinner at a good restaurant.

Sarah Tue Mar 1 2011
Rated as: 2/5
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If you want to pay £30 for a spoon full of soup, a few chicken nuggets with rice and a curry sauce which could barley rival the curry sauce from your local chippy. Then this place is for you and as an added bonus, the staff may let you have butter with your bread if they think its acceptable decorum. In summary . awful!!!!! Expensive, mediocre food with a side order of stuck up service.

nofoolIn summary, Sun Nov 7 2010
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Had booked a table for 9.00 p.m. to celebrate our son's 21st birthday. Twenty minutes before we were due to sit down a rude lady came upstairs and told us that our table would be very late! As our son was going out to celebrate afterwards we could not wait that long and she said that she couldn't do anythng about it! I called the Wolseley in Piccadilly and asked them if they could help out. Half an hour later we were eating at the Wolseley and will never return to L'Atelier who treated us disgracefully!

Mme Butterfly Sat May 22 2010
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My brother & I were lucky enough to be visiting in London and a special friend JB made reservations for us at L'Atelier in Covent Garden our chef and his staff are wonderful, the food was out of this world, if you are in London do yourself a favor and enjoy and treat yourself to a wonderful experience, I'm still dreaming of our wonderful dinner, thank you chef I give 5 stars for our dining experience and I know you will as well.

Patty Thu May 13 2010
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L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

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Time Out says

Special Offers

Lunch: 2 courses £29

Lunch offer: 2 courses with matching wines £39

Pre theatre: 2 courses £29

Post theatre: 2 courses £29

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