Galvin La Chapelle (St Botolphs Hall, 35 Spital Square, London, London, E1 6DY) Had dinner here last night with a friend. Service was friendly and efficient although they are still learning the wine list. We had: Salad of red leg partridge with pomegranate and maple dressing £7.50
Lasagne of Dorset crab, chanterelles and chervil £11.50 – apparently this used to be a staple at the Bistrot de Luxe, but became too expensive. My friend welcomed its return. Roast côte de boeuf, truffle macaroni and Hermitage jus (for two) £53.00. The truffle macaroni was an excellent match. Chilled chocolate fondant, clementine marmalade £8.50 Blueberry soufflé, coulis and milk ice cream £8.50 I wasn't in charge of wine ordering, but the total bill was about £175 with one very pleasant bottle of red, a glass of white and two glasses of dessert wine (each dessert has a wine recommendation on the menu), plus coffee and some still water (some sort of purified house water at £1.50 as I forgot to order tap). This total included a default service charge of (I think) 12.5%. The building is a welcome change from much of the City, being airy without new build ugliness. I would be interested to see how it works in daylight. I will return, and imagine it would be a good date restaurant in the evening, although I suppose it might be a bit suity at lunch. But I will find out and report back.
Link to this reviewDecember 2009 | 
John D.Male, United Kingdom