After deluxe hotels, the restaurants of London have some nice surprises for gourmets who enjoy traveling around the world by sampling far-flung tables.
Aqua Kyoto: Made in Japan savors
On the 5th floor of a handsome building on Regent Street, the huge low key dining room, with a view on part of the City, is dedicated to great revisited classics from the Land of the Rising Sun. Behind the counter, an armada of chefs prepares omakase of sashimi and sushi, tempura of scallops and shrimp, a carpaccio of Wagyu beef with shimeji mushrooms on a Gunkan truffle and a filet of seabass with yuzu dashi and its sea vegetables—all with extreme refinement. Formulas: 25 €, 30 €, menu: 35 €, tasting menu: 100 €. aquakyoto.co.uk
The Comptoir Robuchon in London: Made in France savors
Joël Robuchon is eternal! and very present in the British capital with this venue featuring refined overtones of burnt orange and clay where marble and culinary excellence are the name of the game. The most « Michelin awarded » chef in history, with 32 stars, has set up a brigade, led by executive chef Jeremy Page, who concocts marvelous dishes: Broth of pleurotes mushrooms, daikon red snapper, quail with truffled foie gras, braised beef tail, lambchops with eggplant and Comté slivers—to be enjoyed slowly to prolong the pleasure. Lunch menu: 45 €, à la carte: 80 €, Sunday Roast : 55 €. www.robuchonlondon.co.uk
Madera: Made in Mexico tastes
In the district of Westminster, a private elevator leads to the 12th floor of a tower where the Tree House Hotel is nestled. There, an overhanging tropical garden, with all of London as panorama, appeals to culinary buffs, looking for far flung tastes. Here, plates allow a discovery of Mexican haute cuisine. Benito eggs, reinvented enchiladas, shrimp with tequila, fajita bowl of black beans with chipotle seasoning, grilled asada meats with chimichurri sauce, pepare your taste buds for a voyage to the land of spices. Formula: 30 €, menu : 38 €, brunch starting at 50 €. www.treehousehotels.com
Bala Baya: Made in Israel savors
Welcome to Tel Aviv! Here you will bathe in the sunfilled, beach ambiance conveyed by specialites from the White city, that never sleeps—under the brick arcades of Union Street—now reachable in 2h15 on the Eurostar. The restaurant of chef Eran Tibi, whose dynamic and innovative cuisine pays homage to his roots, drawing inspiration from the traditional recipes of Israeli homes. His dishes to be shared, to be dipped into with pita bread, are called chickpea hummus, prawn baklava, Shakshuka, yemini pancackes and burnt babka. Allow yourself to be carried by the wave, mingling with the bustling crowd… Formula for 2: 35 €, vegan menu: 45 €, tasting menu: 50 € and 60 €. balabaya.co.uk
Rüya: Made in Turkey savors
Eating along the Bosphorus or in Anatolia, but in the Mayfair district, such is the wager of the best Turkish restaurant in London. Seated in the dining room, decorated with mosaics and Conran Partners copper teapots, the ballet of servers skillfully flutters about, under the helm of Emmanuel Guinard, formerly with Alain Ducasse. Some Middle-East diners come a long way to enjoy specialties such as: Isli Patlican eggplant with nuts, courgette/carrot borek, Manti lamb roasted with thym and a baby chicken with a paprika, sauce—all eager to come back and discover all the traditional dishes. Menu at 80 €. ruyalondon.com
London by Eurostar, in 2h17
The Eurostar offers 15 daily journeys, departing from the gare Paris-Nord, heading to the Saint-Pancras train station, at the heart of London. Whether business or leisure, 3 classes are open for reservations: Standard, with on board restoration, at the Café Métropole, Standard Premier, with a light meal served at your seat, and Business Premier, with access to the lounge, gastronomic meal, conceived by the doubly starred chef Raymond Blanc, wines and champagne galore. www.eurostar.com
Far flung cuisines have a rendezvous along the Thames
More restaurants in London on www.visitbritain.com/fr/fr
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