Two months after closing for a major refurbishment to coincide with the restaurant's 10th birthday, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught has now reopened with quite the new look.
Hot Dinners popped down for a preview dinner at the weekend to check out the work of Parisian design team Pierre Yovanovitch Architecture d’Intérieur and to try out Helene's new menu for the restaurant.
In just eight weeks there's been quite a transformation. In the main dining room the dark oak panelling has been brightened and new contemporary tables and chairs brought in. They've also removed that large sideboard that divided the room and made the whole thing much more modern.
Downstairs has seen perhaps the biggest change - the addition of a new pink marble chef's table overlooking the pass and the kitchen. This would be a super spot for entertaining clients or celebrating a special occasion.
We tried several dishes from the new menu along with (not pictured) a very good cep tortelloni with fresh walnut, snail and Lardo di Collonato. Highlights included the following:
Caviar - with langoustine, oyster and runner bean
Mackerel with tomato, Pimento del Piquillo, basil and a “gazpacho consommé”
Pigeon from Denbighshire with beetroot, wild blueberry and Mexican molé.
Turbot with clams, cocobean, girolle, seaweed and “vin jaune d’Arbois sauce”
Tainori chocolate with hazelnut and voatsiperifery pepper
More about Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Where is it? Carlos Pl, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL
How much: Five choices from the a la carte cost £120 (add £90 for classic wine pairing or £195 for pairing by CORAVIN). Seven choices cost £160 with classic wine pairing £130 or Premium wine pairing (by CORAVIN) £265. The weekday Lunch Formula is £65 for three products, two matching wines from the list, a bottle of water and coffee or infusion.
How to book: Email helenedarroze@the-connaught.co.uk or call 020 3147 7200
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Twitter @TheConnaught.
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