Counter seating at L’Atelier de Robuchon

London’s L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurant is a luxury baby boomer foodie’s dream come true.  And, while we were in London, we had the great pleasure of dining at this esteemed restaurant.

Joël Robuchon is a French chef and restauranteur.  He was titled “Chef of the Century” by the guide Gault Millau (a very influential French dining guide) and was awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (France’s Best Craftsman) in cuisine in 1976.

Chef Robuchon operates a dozen restaurants around the world, with a total of 28 Michelin Guide Stars among them, the most of any chef in the world!

You get the picture, right?  This is one seriously world-renowned chef.

Chef Olivier w/ Carol

The Executive Chef at London’s L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon is the award-winning Chef Olivier Limousin.  He’s been with L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon London since its launch in 2006. Born and raised in Vendée, France, Olivier began his career as a trainee at “Le Grand Turc” in L’Oie. To fine-tune his culinary skills, Olivier moved to Paris and worked in several renowned Michelin-star restaurants, including Le Bellecour and Le Taillevent.

While working at L’Amphyclès in Paris, Olivier was mentored by head chef Philippe Groult. He went on to perfect his craft at La Table de Joël Robuchon upon the recommendation of Philippe Groult, who had worked with the great chef in previous years.

The award-winning two Michelin star L’Atelier (French: the workshop) is located in London’s Covent Garden district in the ground floor of a building offering three-stories of Robuchon delights.  The first floor L’Atelier flagship restaurant offers a counter concept where diners are up-close-and-personal with the chef and staff.  This allows for a great deal of fun interaction.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon is quite possibly the best dining experience we’ve ever had!

The second floor restaurant “La Cuisine” offers a more typical table concept, while the third floor “Salon Bar” is a wonderful place to enjoy a cocktail before your dining experience.

OK.  Let’s get to the dining experience!

We took our place at the counter and the first thing we noticed was one of the chefs carving an Iberian Ham.

With the artistry of a world-class craftsman, he carved away and  presented us with Le Jambon “Iberico de Bellota” (Iberian ham served with toasted tomato bread).  YUM!

Up next, Le Caviar (caviar served on a bed of crab meat and lobster jelly).  I must admit, we’re not polished connoisseurs of caviar, but we certainly enjoyed this.

Look at the painstaking craftsmanship that is a hallmark of the Joël Robuchon brand.

Our next course was Le Petit Pois (light pea veloute with a hint of mint on a sweet onion cloud and lard).

In French cooking, a velouté sauce in one of the “five mother sauces”.  Our taste buds were not prepared for the symphony of tastes we found in this simple bowl.  Completely out of this world!

And now, it was time to move to the main courses.  Carol opted for Le Saint Pierre (pan-fried john dory with orange sauce and aniseed glazed baby fennel).

Compared to other fish entrées we enjoyed, this was like going from black & white to technicolor.  Unbelievable!  And, just look how beautifully it’s presented.

For my main course, I selected La Caille (free range quail stuffed with foie gras and truffle mashed potatoes).  We have quail in our backyard every single day.  Believe me, after greatly enjoying this dish, I look at my neighboring quail with a far more nefarious gleam in my eye.  🙂

I’m sad to say that I don’t have a description for this dessert.  But I certainly do remember how good it was.  Plus, with the gold leaf on top, we left the restaurant a little wealthier than when we came in.

Look at that.  You want a bite, don’t you!

As I recount all of the fabulous restaurants we’ve dined in, I’m hard pressed to think of any that can stand toe-to-toe with L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon is quite possibly the best dining experience we’ve ever had!

If you find yourselves in London, go there!

Link: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

By the way, Joël Robuchon also has restaurants in Las Vegas, Paris, Monaco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapour, Taipei, and Macao.

Disclosure: our fabulous dining experience was provided by the kind folks at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.  Thanks!

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