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Galvin La Chapelle

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St Boltoph's Hall, 35 Spital Square, E1 6DY Full details & map

Restaurant: French (modern)

Time Out says 4 Users say 5/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Sep 30 2011

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 ceiling for an inkling of the building's former life as a parish hall - it's now Grade II listed. Deeply padded brown leather chairs and crisp linens add to the sense of airy opulence.

Service is as smooth and lush as béarnaise, with staff persuasively suggesting champagne aperitifs, offering another delve into the excellent bread basket, and pointing out the menu's signature dishes - lasagne of Dorset crab sounded too good to refuse. Classic assiette of lamb (including a nutty fried sweetbread, stuffed courgette flower and shallot purée) worked better than the intriguing combination of roast salmon with white peach, mussels and verjus beurre blanc. Sunny fruit flavours were put to more effective use in a starter of foie gras ballotine with cherries and spiced brioche, and banana and passionfruit soufflé with white chocolate sauce.

The restaurant claims to have the world's largest collection of Hermitage La Chapelle, with bottles dating from 1952. Without a City bonus, wine prices may seem unkind, but the cheapest red (a Portuguese Ribatejo, £22) is a big, smooth wowser. We like the more casual next-door Café a Vin very much too.

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Tags: European, French, French (modern), Business, Fine dining, Wines, East, Spitalfields, Expensive, Restaurant

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Galvin La Chapelle details

Address

Galvin La Chapelle

St Boltoph's Hall, 35 Spital Square E1 6DY

Transport Liverpool Street tube/rail or Shoreditch High Street rail

Telephone

020 7299 0400

Galvin La Chapelle website

Lunch served noon-2.30pm daily. Dinner served 6-10.30pm Mon-Sat; 6-9.30pm Sun

Main courses £23-£33. Set lunch £26.50 3 courses. Set dinner £29.50 3 courses

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 60, terrace ), Babies and children welcome ( high chairs ), Booking advisable, Separate room for parties ( seats 16 ), Available for hire, Dress ( smart casual )

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Comments & ratings 5/5 (Average of 4 ratings)

By Els - Mar 28 2012

5/5

This should have 5 stars. By the far the best food and service and in London.

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By Jana - Mar 8 2012

The Food and service were excellent, In fact the whole meal was absolutely first-class. Our clients were very pleased and this was due to the faultless service and superb wine choice. We had an incredibly special evening and will definitley be back soon. The truffle risotto must have been the best I have ever eaten in my life. Definitley worth a try!!

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By Sarah - Apr 3 2011

Just been to Galvin la Chapelle and I am disappointed to say the least. Nothing jumped off the menu, so I opted for fish soup followed by lamb. The fish soup was good but my partner's pressed hock and fois gras was salty and not much else. My lamb and puree potatos was pretty poor. Had me and my partner not switched meals half way through I would not have been able to finish it, something which never happens. The puree potatoes was overly creamy, the lamb was heavy and unseasoned. The combination was heavy and uninspiring.
The desserts were fabulous, which rescued the meal for my partner, but couldn't tip the balance for me. The wine was fantastic and definately the best part of the meal. The atmosphere was lacking, although to be fair it was a Sunday. The service was attentive if a bit fussy. The weak and conservative food overshadowed everything else, even the wonderful building. I wouldn't dream of returning.

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By Tim - Feb 17 2011

I took my pregnant girlfriend to Galvins on Saturday (12th) and i can not sing enough praise of this restaurant. Having been to a shocking establishment that is Boho Mexica a few weeks before, this was manna from heaven - i mean, an absolute delight..! Unbeknown to us there is a fixed 3 course lunch menu priced @ £25.50. I had to look around for Beadle as it didnt make sense. Regardless, we went for the fixed menu and after starters (Mackerel with some fancy sauce) we knew we were in for a treat! Main course (beef cheeks and Sea bream) could not be faulted.. The Maitre d was super helpful, knowledgeable and made us feel at home & he even changed the dessert menu to accommodate my girlfriend. The wine was a delight - i was the only one drinking and the choice was inspired. Ok, maybe the lunch menu is reasonably priced, but i didnt note a massive difference to the dinner one. Thank you La Chapelle for making our day - we shall most definitely be back!!.