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Le GavrochevsSt. John
Both restaurants are recommended by travel writers. On balance, St John Bar & Restaurant Smithfield is the choice of most writers compared to Le Gavroche. St John Bar & Restaurant Smithfield is ranked #3 in London with approval from 15 reviews including Fodor's, Michelin Guide and DK Eyewitness.
Le Gavroche
Fodor's
BlackBook
Gayot
DK Eyewitness
Time Out
The Guardian
Zagat
Travel + Leisure
Departures
The Nudge Show All Reviews
43 Upper Brook St., Marble Arch, London W1K 7QR
From $0/night
Fodor's "Roux's mastery of technically-precise and classical French cuisine hypnotizes all-comers." Full review
BlackBook "Known as much for its illustrious history – Ava Gardner and Charlie Chaplin were regulars – as its delectable, classic French cuisine."
Gayot17.0
"Since it opened on a previous site in the '60s, Le Gavroche has been an established part of London's culinary history, serving haute cuisine to a discerning, well-heeled clientele ever since." Full review
DK Eyewitness "Brothers Michel and Albert Roux have been synonymous with fine dining in Britain for decades, and the Gavroche is their flagship London restaurant."
Time Out "This restaurant colossus offers unapologetically old-school fine dining." Full review
The Guardian "This kitchen has always enjoyed a fondness for savoury mousselines, and rarely will you find a more practised hand than here." Full review
Zagat4.8
""Gifted" chef Michel Roux Jr. presents a "culinary extravaganza" of "beautifully presented" French "classics" at this "sophisticated", "expensive" Mayfair dining room." Full review
Travel + Leisure "A new kitchen and the introduction of a private dinning room, the “Chef’s Library,” move this restaurant, founded in 1967, firmly into the modern era." Full review
Departures "Try the cheese soufflé; Scotch beef and foie gras; and something from the dessert menu. Lunch here is also a fantastic (less gouging) option. " Full review
The Nudge4.5
"The well-rounded meat and fish menu ranges from sautéed lobster with a lemongrass and coconut infused lobster jus, to a roast saddle of rabbit with crispy potatoes and parmesan." Full review
St. John
Concierge Fodor's
Frommer's
Insight Guides BlackBook Gayot DK Eyewitness
Michelin Guide
Rough Guide Time Out Show All Reviews
26 St John Street, London EC1M 4AY
From $41/night
Concierge "They call it "Nose-to-Tail Eating," and you'll be amazed at the number of obscure cuts that can crop up between those too extremes and end up on your plate."
Fodor's "Foodies travel the globe for pioneering chef Fergus Henderson's ultra-British nose-to-tail cooking." Full review
Frommer's "The ingredients are the best, the cooking is superb, and the dish is what it says on the menu." Full review
Insight Guides "This little restaurant, a stone’s throw from Smithfield’s meat market, is a Clerkenwell favourite. It offers simple but curious dishes such as Middle White belly and dandelion."
BlackBook "Located in a former smokehouse near Smithfield meat market, St John specialises in what chef Fergus Henderson terms ‘nose-to-tail’ eating – ie, offal."
Gayot14.0
"The belief that no one eats better than farmers is confirmed by the repertoire of this bare, white, classy canteen, with its pleasant relaxed service which is far from rustic." Full review
DK Eyewitness "Here they like to eat the bits of animals you barely hear about so don’t bring squeamish eaters."
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"The walls, painted in a shade of detention centre white, add to the utilitarian feel of the room which was a smokehouse in the 19C."
Rough Guide "Former smokehouse close to Smithfield meat market that’s famous for Fergus Henderson’s perfect, utterly simple, execution of traditional British dishes."
Time Out "St John’s cooking is famously full-on, but also sophisticated, concocting flavours that are delicate as well as rich." Full review
