MD's review of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

A bit of an odd experience – one of those where the venue scores higly on some aspects but falters on others, not quite delivering a rounded experience. The atmosphere is intensely dark, seductive and very stylish. Sleek red and black interiors with touches of greenery elegantly exude Japanese influence . The menu, ample and all encompassing, proved slightly confusing at first but was quickly clarified by our helpful waiter.

Once the dishes arrived we were anxiously and curiously awaiting the next, with each of the diners in our party experiencing a flavour explosion in each mouthful. Ingredients are innovatively combined to create contemporary dishes that live up to both the style and substance you expect from a Michelin starred restaurant, and go some way to putting a smile on your face. The scallop with kumquat emulsion, avocado and blood orange guacamole and pan fried mushrooms with parsley butter and rocket were particularly well thought out.

However, there’s an unfortunate side to our experience, which slowly wiped the pleasing and satisfied smile off our faces towards the end of the night and that is much the same as Michel P’s review below. We were offered a table at the Salon bar which we accepted, not quite realising they meant immediately, as opposed to after our desserts. Once it was clear we were to eat our desserts upstairs I had quickly caught on that they wanted to re-use the table and that was a little annoying as we were nowhere near our 2hour turnaround time . No matter I thought, this bar must be something special. A bar it was, something special it was not.

To disappoint further, in this unplanned move, the desserts came but without the matching dessert wines and the birthday extras for my husband, which I’d called and asked for, also went missing. I’m not even sure that they would have realised if I’d not brought it to their attention. To their credit, upon notification the birthday dessert complete with candle and a glass of champagne came to our table, along with profuse apologies from our waiter. The service charge was also knocked off in acknowledgment.

Not particularly a reason to not visit again, so not one to write off. Just a niggling annoyance you expect not to have at a restaurant of its kind, especially not at the price paid.