This restaurant from the Galvin stable occupies a formidable setting at St. Botolph’s Hall, a building that used to be a school chapel in the 19th century. It is now Grade II listed, and the 30-metre vaulted ceiling is a stunning centrepiece.
Chris and Jeff Galvin’s modern French cuisine has received numerous awards, including a Michelin star, Tatler Awards’ Restaurant of the Year and three AA Rosettes, most of which they won within a year of opening. Galvin’s restaurants are all critically acclaimed and popular with diners, hence their continual expansion.
Galvin La Chapelle
Lunch
Monday – Sunday: 12:00 – 14:30
Dinner
Monday – Saturday: 18:00 – 22:30
Sunday: 18:00 – 21:30
Smoking Area
Disabled Facilities
Children Welcome
Credit Cards Accepted
Private Area
Outdoor Area
Booking Advisable
Galvin La Chapelle Picture Gallery
All In London Review
flavours that take you out of your seat
In the dining room, rows of luxurious marble pillars truncate the spacious room that features a suspended mezzanine for private dining and a bar that often feels like the room revolves around it. However, that’s perhaps a little farfetched because it is all about the vertical here and the gaze is continuously drawn upwards toward the rafters. This is by no means the fault of the award-winning designers that have delivered the neat lines and shiny surfaces of bistro-chic below, just the fact that a vaulted wooden ceiling will always defeat the modern touch. The true competitor to the architecture though, is the food, and there’s no surprise that La Chapelle is in possession of a Michelin star in reward of its modern French menu, created by chef Jeff Galvin.
The signature entrée, lasagne of Dorset crab and beurre nantaise comes recommended for a reason, its sponginess is flecked by layers of paper-thin pasta that dissolve on contact with the fork and flavours that take you out of your seat. There is also the yellow fin tuna, which comes so lightly seared that it could almost make sashimi look overdone, however the coriander doesn’t make it snap quite as much as you’d like.
The tagine of Bresse pigeon is the signature main and with the accompaniment of aubergine puree, cous cous and a light harisa sauce there is a delicately varied collection of tastes that are capped off by the delicate rouge that beams from the meat. This is a true champion. Judging by the rest of the tables however, it’s the grilled fillet of Scottish beef that seems to be the popular one- how they love their red meat in the City.
Service from start to finish is impeccable and from waiter to sommelier the staff are knowledgeable and warm providing the sort of unimpeachable hospitality that comes with a restaurant of such high regard. Some might find the level ever so slightly suffocating but this just isn’t you’re everyday kind of place. So, rejoice in having your place swept after every course. A mixed clientele it is not, but in the centre of the City and with the RBS building looming large over the chapel, what would you expect?
It would be sad to deny yourself a stab at the desserts, in particular the sour cheeses that come surrounded by wafer thin slices of crispy bread and on this occasion accompanied by a glass of the vintage Gigondas 2009.
Once the grandeur of La Chapelle has been experienced, it’s just a matter of waiting for the next occasion that calls for sampling the indubitable elegance of a place like this and although at times it can feel a little Downton Abbey, it’s simply a beautiful place to eat a meal.
Reviewed by T.A.O
Published on Sep 19, 2011
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Michelin-starred and one of London’s most beautiful restaurants, Galvin La Chapelle has wheelchair access and disabled toilets.
London's best Fine Dining Restaurants
So much more than just a dandy plate of food
Mouthwatering modern French food combined with one of London’s most breathtaking settings (it’s housed within a Victorian chapel), and let’s not forget the never-ending, highly informative wine list. This is undoubtedly gourmet heaven.
London's most beautiful restaurants
We list the beauts
When you have a building as atmospheric as this little needs adding. Formerly a Victorian school, the main feature is the 30 metre high vaulted ceiling and a mezzanine area with tables that overlooks the main dining area. Aside from a few palm trees, the Grade II listed venue remains true to its 19th century origins.
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