Restaurant Review: Lunch at L'Atelier by Joel Robuchon

I know I haven't written anything for a while, Christmas was a blur of good booze, better food and relaxation, the main problem with this is that I have failed to write up a fantastic trip to l'Atelier we went on in the run up to Christmas. 

My girlfriend (who you have probably spotted by now, does most of the booking) found a great deal for a set lunch with a view of the chiefs preparing dinner in the Japanese/French fusion section downstairs. I think part of this was an attempt to get me to go Christmas shopping with her (although if lunch at a 2 star michelin restaurant is the bribe then I am there). I checked and they are still offering a set lunch menu which is 28 

The Restaurant itself is on a side street near Covent garden, on the same street as the Ivy, although it is very much about substance over style, when you walk in the decor is very modern, although it does seem a little bit dark at first you soon become accustomed to the light. 

The bar around the chef's where we were seated is interesting, you do get a pretty good view, but for a romantic meal for two you will be sitting side by side with the person you went with, to be honest I found watching the chefs pretty much made up for that.

The menu was limited but it did include some of the signature dished as well as an optional wine accompaniment which were mainly wines from the Loire region of France.

For starter I had an excellent chicory, apple and stilton salad, which was exactly the right blend of crunchy, creamy and tart, my other half had l'ouef coque sans coque (or an egg coquette with a mushroom sauce) which must have been good, mainly because I got nowhere near trying any of it.

The mains were also exceptional, I went for the pollock which was beautifully cooked and incredibly tasty, my partner went for the lamb, which I am reliably informed was excellent, which again was borne out by the fact there wasn't any of it for me to try.

Obviously we followed this up with dessert, I went for a selection of chocolate puddings which were all very different and exceptionally tasty. My girlfriend went for a selection of french cheeses, mainly because for some reason she doesn't like chocolate, these were a little limited in type, but still very tasty.

I would have to recommend the whole experience to anyone, according to the website the lunchtime menu is available for 28 pounds (for 2 courses) or 37 if you want the matching wine (which I would recommend), definitely one of the best eating experiences of what I have to be honest, was a pretty good year for food.