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Ambassade de l'Ile

Address:	117-119 Old Brompton Road SW7 3RN
Tel	020 7373 7774
Price: £84.00	Wine: £22.00	Champagne: £61.00
Opening Hours:	Mon-Sat 12N-2pm 7-10pm

Square Meal review of Ambassade de l'Ile:

Previously unknown outside Lyon (where he has a tiny two Michelin-starred restaurant on an island in the River Saone), chef Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex has opened this controversial outpost in the heart of South Ken. The self-consciously futuristic, nightclubby decor divides opinion; however, the hushed atmosphere & CCTV from the kitchens signal that this is emphatically a shrine to haute cuisine. Our meal kicked off with a chorus-line of amuse-bouches, quickly followed by rich duck foie gras with pickled cherries. The signature main course saw a crunchy nougatine & morsels of frog meat layered onto pike mousseline, while a dainty millefeuille combined white chocolate discs, raspberries & a Valrhona white chocolate & basil ice cream. The 500-strong wine list is dominated by the Rhone & Burgundy, with bull marche prices to match. Unless someone else is paying, go for the good-value set lunch: £30 for 3 courses (£42 including wine, water & coffee).