Le Caprice London SW1 Restaurant Review
Top Rated Glamourous Celebrity Eatery Arlington Street Mayfair
Dec 26, 2008
Around the corner from The Ritz and at the end of an elegant cul de sac you will find Le Caprice the celebrated hot spot that has enthralled it's glittering guests for decades.
Waiting for you at the entrance is a bowler-hatted doorman replete with green and gold coat who ushers you through the sleek smokey grey glass doors beneath a blue neon sign with it's stylish italic signature. Most of the clientele have patronised this pleasure dome for years and yet even if you are visiting for the first time you are welcomed on arrival by the Maitre D wth the courteous attention of a prized regular.
The cool interior decor with it's retro eating bar sits well with the smooth jazz pianist who plays discreetly tucked in the corner near the front desk.You can eat casually here, or have a drink perched on a Manhatten stool or sit at the well appointed tables with crisp white linen and seasonal flowers which are placed through the restaurant with plenty of space between them allowing the waiters to glide from one group to another.
Spot the Stars But Do Not Stare!
Celebrity spotting is part of the game here and the good and the great nonchalantly accept that this is not the place to remain icognito. However nobody stares at the scattering of famous faces, though a surreptitious glance signalling a salute of admiration is expected.
The menu is eclectic and seasonal offering the best of European and American dishes yet still aware of it's British patriotism, but here is the twist.The humble hamburger on Le Caprice's honours list is titled Chopped steak Americaine. Delicious hashed rump steak served with relish and pommes allumette, but no bun! Well what do you expect for £15 25p.
Favourite Food
It was the Caprice's chef Charles Fontaine who re-invented the plain little fish cake dragging it out of obscurity and here it still sits enthroned at the top of the menu, it's loyal subjects eager to pay homage to this tasty recipe using fresh salmon with a delicate sorrel sauce and buttered spinach.
Favourites starters are the Eggs Benedict poached to perfection with a frothy , piquant hollandaise sauce alongside ceaser salad, crispy duck wih a delicious plum sauce and watercress salad.
The main courses include seasonal dishes offering venison,duck and pheasant in the winter. noted with an asterix on the menu is that you may have the added bonus of a shot in your game; perfect to take home as a souvenir, not so lucky if you have to pay a visit to your dentist!
If you are not a bird lover perhaps you might choose a simple sliver of Chicken alla Milanais with parsley lemon and garlic or Deep-fried haddock with minted mashed peas, chips and tartare sauce another delicious favourite.
Sweet Delights
The dessert menu beckons temptingly .The most popular and plagirised crowd pleaser is le Caprices own cullinary triumph the Iced Berries with White Chocolate Sauce, but the honeycomb ice-cream with hot chocolate sauce and the winter fruit crumble are fierce competitors.
The wine list is a comprehensive catalogue of nearly two hundred red, white and pinks. Prices range from £21 75 for the cheapest wines which are all very good and for those with a deep pocket and or connaisseurs there is an aristocratic red Le Chambertin Grand Cru 2004 at roughly £280 give or take the rise and rise of the Euro.
This much loved and celebrated eatery has so far remained immune from the Credit Crunch with a full house at every sitting and so if you want to book a table for a specific day you would be well advised to reserve a couple of weeks in advance.
Le Caprice, Arlington Street, London SW1 Tel (02076292239)
Around £60 a head including wine
For another great eating experience in London why not try the ever popular Greek restaurant Lemonia in picturesque Primrose Hill North West London
