Chris and Jeff Galvin in Galvin La Chapelle
Tell us about Galvin La Chapelle?
It's one of the key restaurants in the Galvin group, run by brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin. The Michelin-starred restaurant is set within a 130-year-old Grade II listed building St Botolph’s Hall that was once a school and in significant disrepair before the Galvins took it on. Now it's a hugely impressive-looking space, with huge vaulted ceilings towering over the diners. It's easily one of the most beautiful-looking restaurants in London.
Why re-visit Galvin La Chapelle now?
The restaurant is currently celebrating its 15th birthday, which is not bad going at all these days. As part of that, they've given the restaurant a bit of a refurb, bringing it a little more up-to-date with some brighter furnishings, while still emphasising some of the amazing classic architecture on display.
While the Galvin brothers still keep their hands in as Chef Patrons, the restaurant is led by Head Chef Arturo Granato (previously head chef of Club Gascon).
The impressive (and very tall) Galvin La Chapelle
Where is it?
You'll find the restuarant right in the heart of Spitalfields, on Spital Square which is about a five-minute stroll from Liverpool Street station.
And what's on the menu?
The restaurant describes its food as "modern French fine dining with a European influence" and there's a definite Gallic fine dining feel to the proceedings.
The menu can change regularly, and we had a special menu that covered some of the restaurant's classic dishes, while showcasing new ones too. So to give you an idea of what to expect, here's what we had:
Orkney scallop ballotine, Gambero rosso, squid ink, aioli, kimchi water, nasturtium oil
Landes foie gras semifreddo, banyuls caramel. Yorkshire rhubarb, pain d'épices - that truffle-like semifreddo was extraordinary.
Dorset crab raviolo, dashi "buerre blanc", braised fennel, Baerii caviar - a twist on the restaurant's best-known dish, a lasagne of Dorset crab.
Pine-smoked squab pigeon, celeriac gratin, fermented fig, pink radicchio
La Chapelle "Rocher", Gianduja, pistachio, blood orange. We always enjoy a fancy restaurant's take on a classic chocolate and this one really stood out.
Overall thoughts
It has been far too long since we've been to Galvin La Chapelle and this visit showed us that the restaurant is still really at the top of its game after fifteen years. A proper destination restaurant, the room looks amazing and the food showcases modern French fine dining at its best. If it's been a while since you've visited, or if you've yet to check it out - we'd say now's the time.
More about Galvin La Chapelle
Where is it? 35 Spital Square, London E1 6DY
How to book: Book online
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @galvinrestaurants.
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Galvin La Chapelle.
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