L’ATELIER DE JOËL ROBUCHON

13-15 West Street, London, WC2H 9NE, 020 7010 8600

****1/2

Joël Robuchon has 17 Michelin stars, more than any other chef in the world, while another influential guidebook once described him as 'the chef of the century'. The 62-year-old Frenchman’s reputation precedes him by some considerable degree.

Of course, you won’t find Robuchon himself in the kitchen of his recently opened London restaurant — like Gordon Ramsey he has become a brand. But, even so, as you take a seat in the red and black room decorated in a style that screams money(perhaps a little too loudly), you’re expecting something pretty special.

This level of anticipation usually precedes disappointment, but not on this occasion. The pumpkin velouté with ham cream is silky and intensely concentrated, the John Dory with sauce vierge is cooked perfectly as are the lamb cutlets with thyme. Even the spaghetti with tomato sauce, a dish so familiar you’re tempted to pass over it for something jazzier, produces a purr after every mouthful.

'Course food masterminded by someone with 17 Michelin stars doesn’t come cheap. Prepare to take a deep breath on viewing the bill (and an even deeper one if you book in the restaurant upstairs, which is even more expensive). But suffice it to say he didn’t get all the awards and plaudits for nothing.

COCKTAIL RECIPES

All those who went to our fabulous launch party will have tasted the wonderful complimentary cocktails mixed to our very own recipes and supplied by Inspirit Brands.

These bespoke cocktails included Ketel One Apple and Elderflower Collins, a Caipirinha-style Frangelico Zest, and Teichenne Stags (chocolate) and Teichenne Doves (strawberry) flavoured shooters.

If you didn't make it along to the launch party, don't worry as now is your chance to make the cocktails from these exclusive Staganddove.com recipes:

Ketel One Apple and Elderflower Collins

50ml Ketel One Vodka
50ml Freshly Pressed Apple Juice
25ml Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
12.5ml Elderflower Cordial
Top with soda

Teichenne Shooters (shaken shots)

Teichenne Stag (chocolate)

12.5ml Frangelico Hazelnut Liquor
12.5ml Teichenne Chocolate


Teichenne Dove (Strawberry)

12.5ml Frangelico Hazelnut Liquor
12.5ml Teichenne Strawberry
12.5ml Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

Both are Shaken and Double strained into tall, chilled shooter glasses.

Frangelico Zest

50ml Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur
5 fresh lime segments (muddled)

Served caipirinha style over crushed ice