Launceston Place (British) – London, England (9/10)
Aug 5th, 2009 by admin
[UPDATE - September 2009: Based on such a pleasant experience, I returned with the husband a month later for the same set lunch. This time, however, the lunch was underwhelming. The set menu was exactly the same, except that instead of fish fingers, they had Cornish sardines. It was also busier on a Wednesday than on a Friday. As a result, the staff seemed quite rushed and the lunch was far from the relaxing affair that I enjoyed the first time. The food wasn't so special either (and there were no scallops). I left feeling disgruntled and dissatisfied and far from feeling so full that I could skip dinner. It is because of this second lunch that I have decided not to rate my meals anymore. To have given the first lunch a 9 and to give the second one not more than a 7.5 made me realise that ratings are too subjective to be of much use. I had been planning to return for the tasting menu, but I don't think I'll be doing this now.]
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Background:
Launceston Place hit my restaurant wishlist with a big bang after I tried their innovative rhubard and custard ice cream crumble (presented in an ice cream cone) at the recent Taste of London festival. Head chef Tristan Welch, formerly of Petrus fame, serves traditional British fare with a modern twist. Now this could mean anything, but after trying the crumble, I thought I’d take advantage of the £18 three course set lunch menu, which I had heard was excellent value for money.
First impressions:
The restaurant is located on a cute little street in the middle of what is known as Kensington Village, a residential area between High Street Kensington and Cromwell Road. Although it forms part of the D&D London restaurant empire, formerly owned by Terence Conran, it certainly didn’t feel at all corporate or lacking in individuality. The dining room is small and intimate, decorated in muted colours and in terms of atmosphere reminded me a little of the ground floor one at Lindsay House (sadly now closed).
On Friday at 12.30, it was deathly quiet when I arrived, but after an hour or so, the restaurant was almost full. It seems to be a popular place to have a leisurely lunch, whether one is tucking into the 6 course tasting menu at £52.00 or the £18 three course set menu. I have to mention the service. Although I initially thought Launceston Place a little stuffy and hushed, the staff were extremely friendly. This was illustrated most clearly when my friend had to leave before pudding was served, and the rest of the gigantic tart tatin was boxed up for me to take home, without any hesitation.
Menu: (all the menus are online)
From the £18 set menu, with three options for each course, we had:
- crab risotto, garlic, parsley – beautifully presented in a large crab shell, it was a rather substantial portion. Creamy and full of flavour. It would have been my first choice
- potted foie gras, Maldon sea salt – as my friend wanted the crab risotto, I chose the foie gras served with warm toast. The pot was empty in about five minutes!
- braised beef chop, Isle of Wight tomatoes, basil – the beef literally fell off the bone, it was so incredibly tender. Although this was my second choice, it was much better than the ‘fish fingers’
- ‘fish fingers’, waffles, minted peas - this bizarrely did taste just like fish fingers. It was a small portion and my friend thought the waffles slightly oversalted
- apple tart, home made clotted cream (for 2) – in fact a tart tatin, this was a monster of a pudding. It’s served at the table, and must have measured approximately 7 to 8 inches in diameter. Four people could have happily dined on it. By this time, I was alone at the table and asked for just a quarter of it to be served. The waiter recommended tipping the entire pot of clotted cream over it so that it would melt over the warm pastry. It was heavenly, but I was really so full that I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I should have
In between each course, we were served creative amuse-bouche – an organic yoghurt with cucumber, whole scallop on the shell roasted with aromatic flowers and herbs, and what tasted like a banana split for pre-dessert. We also ordered some roast beetroot (vegetables come with a £5.00 supplement), and fresh bread was offered three or four times. As you can see, it turned out to be a rather long drawn-out two hour lunch, so I was glad I didn’t have to rush off.
The verdict:
£18 for 3 courses and 3 amuse-bouche was extraordinary value for money. I was so full from lunch that I had to skip dinner that evening, while the husband gorged himself on the takeaway tarte tatin. It’s been a while since I’ve felt so stimulated by a restaurant meal. When I think back to some of the disappointing and boring meals I’ve had recently (St. Alban, Arbutus), I could cry with frustation. I’m adding it to my very short list of favourites in London, and next time, I might even splash out on the tasting menu. Highly, highly recommended.
Lunch for two cost £46.00 including service charge, with no alcohol. Tap water is happily served.
The entire set of photos from Launceston Place can be viewed here.
10 – Perfection, 9.5 – Sensational, 9 – Outstanding, 8.5 – Superb,
8 – Excellent, 7.5 – Very Good, 7 - Good, 6.5 - Above Average, 6 – Average
All the London restaurant reviews on World Foodie Guide
Contact details:
Launceston Place
1a Launceston Place
London W8 5RL
Tel: 020 7937 6912
www.launcestonplace-restaurant.co.uk
Lunch
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Friday: 12 – 2.30pm
Saturday: 12 – 3.00pm
Sunday: 12 – 3.30pm
Dinner
Monday to Friday: 6.00pm – 10:30pm
Saturday: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sunday: 7.00pm – 10.30pm
Helen Yuet Ling Pang @ World Foodie Guide
I have viewed all the other photos on your flickr, the scallop amuse bouche and the roasted beetroot are mouth watering. And that gorgeous looking tart tatin with home-made clotted cream, I’m pretty sure I can have it all by myself. LOL.
It’s pleasant and enjoyable reading your blog.
I really want to go here too after Taste of London. I think tatins for two must be the in thing – I shared one with my friend at Galvin at it defeated me too! I agree, great value for money. I maintain my view on those crisps tied together with string though…I can’t think of a word to describe them that doesn’t start with ‘w’, end with ‘y’ and have a ‘k’ in the middle.
One of my favourite places! Tristan Welch is definitely one of the best up-and-coming chefs out there… his little twists on ‘traditional’ Brit food actually delivers, unlike some who claim to do the same thing. Loved the rhubarb and custard crumble ice cream, which was our pre-dessert last time
And I’ll never forget the Cornish ‘cream tea’ pudding with the best Earl Grey ice cream. Must go back for the tasting menu… let me know if you need a partner!
wow that lone scallop looks tasty and a half! Great value too, I’ll have to check it out!
I went to Launceston Place in 2008 and had the tasting menu; I maintain it was one of the best meals in my recent (i.e. last 5 years) memory. I’d really like to go back soon.
Gorgreous photos. What a fantastic lunch. I am in awe of the crab risotto. May well try to recreate it. £18 for 3 courses is great value. You’ve put this very much on the top of my to go to list.
Sounds absolutely wonderful! The photos are mouthwatering. And it’s handily placed for the RAH too!
Such amazing value for money. That risotto looks soooooo good. Launceston Place is now definitely on my list, great review.
Great to hear their lunch menu is such strong value . . . your post reminds me that I meant to go months ago after Su-Lin’s write up last November. Now, I’ll definitely have to give their lunch a whirl.
http://tamarindandthyme.wordpress.com/2008/11/22/lunch-at-launceston-place/
The £18 set sounds tempting. The beef looks absolutely mouth-watering!
I am envious!!
KennyT – thanks! It was a really fantastic lunch!
Helen – I don’t like to be defeated, but I was. As for the w***y crisps, I agree, but they were rather tasty. I should have mentioned them in the review!
Charmaine – I remember you mentioning the cream tea pudding! Can’t wait to go back for the tasting menu but need to be really hungry. You’re on, I’ll need a partner!
catty – you’ll love it!
Lizzie – one of the best meals in 5 years of eating? That’s high praise (coming from you!). I must go back…
Jonathan – oh, I’m looking forward to your recreation of the crab risotto!
Steve – let me know what you think! Lunch can take a while, but it’s great to just relax there.
Boo – thanks and I hope you love it too. I was so pleased for days afterwards!
An American in London – it must be one of the best deals out there. I was so full that I didn’t need to eat again until breakfast the next day!
pigpigscorner – the beef was incredible, melt in your mouth texture…
Chee – sorry!
Helen Yuet Ling
Beautiful review and breathtaking angles, the crab risotto looks so openingly grand, great work Helen… and I do agree, Launceston Place is a great restaurant…… and its only 10 min walk from my place
The photos are breathtaking – love the plating that the restaurant used. The descriptions along with your reaction sold me. After reading this, I am praying that my flight to Dublin is delayed, so that this can be my layover restaurant. =) I can’t believe I just wrote that!
I have a D and D voucher – looks like I know where I will be spending it – tasting menu here I come!
I’ve been tempted to make a trip to this place after seeing some of Tristan Welch’s stuff on TV- looks even better here. And I like the look of that crisp necklace too!
kang – thanks, you’re too kind! You are also too lucky to be living so close to Launceston Place…
OysterCulture – I am shocked! Praying for a flight delay? It would be too rushed for you and your mother to enjoy lunch properly though. You’ll just have to come over to London for a proper visit!
Gourmet Chick – wow, was that a present from a kind person? Look forward to hearing about the tasting menu. Hope to try it before the end of this year if I can afford it.
The Fastest Indian – I think you would really like it. I certainly had one of the best meals in 2009 here!
Helen Yuet Ling
The husband and I are planning a trip to Launceston Place soon. Your review has encouraged us and we’re looking forward to it!
admin Reply:
August 14th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Evie – oh great news! I’m sure you’ll love it there. I haven’t heard any negative experiences so far.
I’ve just come back home from dining at Launceston Place and all I can say is yum yum YUM! I had the drunken quail to start which was delicious, the meat was unbelievably tender and juicy. Then had the rose veal with sweetbreads which was so good too, maybe a bit large portion wise. Also tried the suckling pig which would have been my first choice and I highly recommend that too.
Dolly – great to hear feedback from you about non set lunch menu dishes! I’m going back again in two weeks but again for the set lunch. I’m saving the tasting menu for a future occasion!
Helen Yuet Ling