Harriet's Reviews

We went for my best friend's birthday and it was one of the most special nights out I've ever had.

The decor is kitsch (stunning but definitely OTT) and I was a bit worried that the food would be flash, or even just disappointing but it was fantastic.

We went for the 6 course tasting menu (and accompanying tasting wine menu) and each course was perfect – good combinations of flavour and well laid out too. After the amuse bouche we were served the first course of fois gras* which I have always avoided out of principle, but I was blown away by how sublimely silky smooth it was. It was served with a lovely Sauternes. We had fish, we had duck, we had sorbet and it was all delicious. Even the little sweets they served at the end (including a divine orangey jelly) were all perfect.

In addition the staff were lovely and attentive, they talked us through each course and made sure we were ok (not in an obtrusive pushy way).

They must have heard us talking about my friend's birthday as his dessert came with a special birthday message on it. This topped off a sublime meal. The whole night out was made up of special little details like this.

Actually what REALLY topped off the meal was popping round the corner to Lounge Lover (the bar that is run by Les Trois Garcons) for a couple of cocktails. Perfect night out. Not a cheap night out by any stretch of the imagination but one that I would definietly do again.

*The waitress did ask us in advance if there was anything we didn't like or wouldn't eat.

I was expecting Archipelgo to be super gimmicky and possibly a bit naff, but I'd heard good reviews so was curious. I was treated to a meal there this week and was blown away by it all.

It was smaller and cosier than I expected – the decor was higgledypigged and eclectic but not in a LOOK AT ME way.

The service was lovely – really attentive but without being obsequious (sp!?) or annoying. Both staff gave good advice and gave it with a sense of humour (you probably need to when you're serving kangaroo and zebra!).

I genuinely wasn't expecting the food to be that good – I was expecting it to be more about 'oh look, I'm eating something unusual' but actually it was really delicious. The flavours worked well with each other and the food was really well cooked. I was particularly happy with my kangaroo but tried all my friends' food (I'm a horrible friend, sorry) and there wasn't a duff dish in any of the ones we tried.

If I was to go back (and to pay for it myself) I'd probably stick to two courses and one bottle of wine. I'd probably skip the sides – the sides we had were gorgeous, especially the salad with optional bugs BUT the portions for the main meals were generous so were unnecessary, cocktails and a ‘visit from the doctor’. The last was certainly fun – a choice of various unusual drinks – but probably not something I would go for again.

All in all – this was the most fun I've had for ages. Obviously the fact that I was being treated to it was a big help, but good food and charming service made the evening into a perfect one. Definitely want to go back!