L'Etranger

A very smart addition to South Kensington and one which will run and run. The chic and sophisticated dining room hosts a heady mix of both locals and celebrities sampling the vibrant flavours, silky service and inspired menu. It's not so much East meets West as confident modern French cuisine that skilfully incorporates Japanese flavours. More collusion than collision. The favourite starter is an irresistible tuna tartare with sevruga caviar, mains include Charolais cote de boeuf & cepe gratin. There's a very nice vegetarian menu du jardin, and the puds are suitably complicated like white peach soufflé with peach & vodka granite or pineapple chawan mushi with cardamom foam and macadamia biscuit.