AVI Bistrot

Hidden away inside The Lowndes Hotel, AVI Bistrot arrives courtesy of the team behind The Prince Arthur - the Basque-inspired pub that quickly became one of Pimlico’s most sought-after spots for wood-fired cooking and bold flavours. AVI follows in its footsteps, bringing the group’s confidence, and penchant for caviar, this time alongside a menu built around American comfort and French flourishes.

We recognised the site from its former life as Parker’s, once known for thick slabs of chocolate cake and wagyu sandos. The menu has changed entirely, but the spirit remains fully intact, designed with the well-heeled Belgravia crowd in mind. A leafy terrace peaks out beneath navy awning, and on a gorgeous summer’s day it’s clearly the place to be. Inside, AVI has the feel of a French brasserie, with burgundy banquettes, woven rattan chairs and crisp, white-clothed tables. Vintage posters and hand-sketched artworks line the walls, whilst the front windows are thrown open onto the street, letting a gentle breeze drift through as we settle in with something suitably pink and summery from the cocktail list.

We start with crispy fried chicken, a dish that’s already earned its place as the restaurant’s signature. Naturally, it arrives with a serving of caviar, and we spoon the restaurant’s own-brand briny Oscietra pearls onto each piece of peppery, golden fried chicken before dunking it into a creamy, dill-laced ranch. It feels incredibly over-indulgent, but that’s part of AVI’s charm. Burrata follows, nestled in a bed of vibrant red and orange tomatoes, with pickled onions and a drizzle of herb oil that cuts cleanly through the richness.

Mains lean heavily into seafood, and we opt for jumbo grilled prawns, served heads and tails intact and smothered with chunky slices of chilli and garlic - no need for extra flourishes. Accompanying French fries err on the soggier side, but we quickly move past the minor flaw onto dessert - a colossal slice of Tarte Tropezienne. Layers of fluffy, brioche cake are slathered with cream and flecked with raspberries, a dusting of icing sugar to finish everything off. It’s exactly the sort of indulgence we’ve come to expect, and we devour every bite.

AVI Bistrot is undoubtedly a little extravagant, but it fits right in among Belgravia’s polished dining scene.

From the team behind the luxury Basque pub and restaurant, The Prince Arthur, you’ll find AVI Bistrot within The Lowndes Hotel, serving up French-American brasserie fare with the team’s signature penchant for caviar. Luxury twists on nostalgic classics are the site's calling card, evident on a menu built for sharing, split into sections for small plates, flatbreads and burgers, homemade pasta, grill dishes, fish, and sides. 

Set out to mimic a classic French brasserie, inside you'll find banquette and rattan seating, walls lined with mirrors, deep reds and cream colours, and a corner bar. That bar is panelled in rich dark wood and lit by hanging lights. From here, guests can expect a selection of classic and modern cocktails that put emphasis on bold combinations. For instance, the signature cocktail, The Tsar, features Belvedere vodka topped with caviar, pickled onions and an olive, and is available alongside longstanding favourites like Le Jardin Secret and the Tropical Flamme. 

As for menus at AVI Bistrot, small plates offer up the likes of New York fried chicken with caviar, alongside a selection of sandwiches and burgers that stretch from an ‘LA brioche noir lobster roll’ to an entrecote baguette sandwich served with fries. A grill menu is also on offer, with everything from cote de boeuf and fillet steak with smoked bone marrow, to Australian wagyu. 

Headed up by chef Joshua Conte, formerly of The Boathouse in Henley, The Dorchester, and Heston Blumenthal’s The Crown at Bray, everything here is instantly recognisable just with turbocharged luxury elements. AVI Bistrot also serves up an elegant parade of dishes for breakfast, including the likes of artisanal sourdough egg dishes, signature English muffins with Hollandaise, brioche French toast, and potato rosti with smoked chutoro.