£15 for a single langoustine beignet??? [cost of a langoustine: £1 but they probably buy them in at 70p] It had better damn well be 3* langoustines, but sadly a recurrent theme I found with this restaurant was the use of subpar ingredients. Not just the langoustines mind you… when I visited, the bread was amongst the worst I have ever eaten (supplier trouble perhaps??) £5 for a pot of tea with a grand total of 0 petit fours (oh and a reminder to drink your tea in 10 minutes because they were closing up) Then of course is the whole problem of what we were served with the lunch menu…. go ahead, have a look at my review! The audacity to serve mash & leftover confit duck – we were literally dining off scraps.

Often when I have a less than stellar experience in a restaurant, I can put it down to the kitchen having a bad day or maybe the chef not being in attendance. I would usually give these restaurants a second chance. However, with L’Atelier, the whole reason for me not liking it is their cynical business model – one which aims to extort £ from people who are less well travelled and less well dined. Perhaps Robuchon thinks that ‘le ros bif’ cannot tell (or are not bothered altogether) what is spectacular from mediocre. I honestly cannot think of a single positive from my dining experience here.

I often moan about the Gordon Ramsay fast food chain, but Robuchon actually makes that remark a reality. Posh McD’s this certainly is… but even then… not even worth a *.

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Kavey – indeed, overall I think for £25, it was worth the visit.

Helen – Hmm, so it seems they have basic technical issues in the kitchen, yeah definitely underwhelming in that respect. Thanks, but I think I need more experience before I’m good enough to shoot for print

Gourmet Chick – Ditto that, except when I do splurge I do hope to expect amazing dishes…. but it doesnt happen often, always get the feeling like its all too overpriced. Hence splurging on camera lens over a meal.

Janet – I think after all that’s been said, Robuchon’s is still one of the restaurants which deserves a visit, even if its just to see what the fuss is all about. I’d be interested in your thoughts about it, do let us know when you’ve been

Felix – Thanks. Hmm, that’s abit of a letdown if the a la carte is about the same as the set lunch, it would make it horribly overpriced! Yeah, all the 2* places in London hover te £25-£35 mark for setlunches.

THe price is decent, but in the end they all have that kind of price at lunch in London, no Hibiscus, Pied a Terre, Ducasse (if you take away wines, coffee water), Capital?

FelixHirsch’s last blog post..The Square II, London

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Helen Yuet Ling Pang’s last blog post..Second Helpings – May 2009