We visit Mayfair’s latest restaurant hotspot: Jean-Georges at The Connaught.
You may know chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten from his 30+ restaurants around the world, including 8 in New York.
His flagship restaurant in the Trump Tower in New York has 3 Michelin stars and offers, in my opinion, one of the best value set lunches of its kind.
But back to London and his latest opening at The Connaught, where there are no Michelin stars in sight, but a menu of big-hitting classics that you could return for several times a week.
Jean-Georges at The Connaught is to the left when you enter (turn right for Helene Darroze’s refined French cooking) taking over the space previously occupied by Espelette.
Large conservatory-style windows flood the room with light, giving the beautiful dining room a picture-perfect Mount Street as a backdrop. Visit before sunset to see the atmosphere change as darkness sets in and the sexy lighting takes over.
Jean-Georges is known for his use of south-east Asian flavours on his menus, on this occasion combining them with his take on British classics.
Tuna tartare on a bed of crushed avocado and sliced radish and a sharp ginger sauce is as good a version of this now classic dish as you’ll find anywhere. Simple, fresh, delicious.
Warm shrimp salad with avocado, tomato and a Champagne vinegar dressing is a dish I could have for lunch every day, although perhaps not with the £25 price tag.
A must-order item is the black truffle and fontina pizza – a thing of beauty that you can also now order to take away.
Main courses are predominantly British, including a take on the classic Fish and Chips, Cornish lamb chops, Scottish lobster and Cornish Dover sole. A truffled cheeseburger has my name all over it for next time.
Jean-Georges at The Connaught offers informal dining, open all-hours, in a relaxed yet refined and really rather beautiful setting.
Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner until late and everything in between, it’s a restaurant that Mayfair has been crying out for, perhaps without ever knowing it.
Jean-Georges has other many other restaurants around the world including at The Mark Hotel in New York and at Eden Rock in St Barth’s. You may also enjoy or review of Harry’s Dolce Vita.
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