Galvin La Chapelle: Grand, gregarious and fabulously French

Galvin La Chapelle is a church of French cuisine set in a former Spitalfields chapel
Galvin La Chapelle: Fine French food in a former chapel
Ben Norum31 January 2018

The backstory Brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin opened Galvin La Chapelle in late 2009. It was their third London venue, following successes with Galvin Bistrot de Luxe on Baker Street and Galvin at Windows on Park Lane.

Its setting is impeccable — a restaurant nestled cosily in a grand, ornate chapel with a vaulted ceiling tall enough to fit in a mezzanine and floor space large enough to make room for live music during many sittings.

It’s food matches the grand scene, and barely a year after opening it was awarded a Michelin Star, which it still proudly holds today.

What’s on the menu? La Chapelle specialises in classic French dishes, but doesn’t worry too much about being wholly orthodox.

At the top of the menu — tasting and a la carte — is a lasagne of Dorset crab with beurre Nantais (that’s beure blanc with added cream) and pea shoots. It’s the restaurant’s signature dish, and rightly so; rich, smooth and mousse-like, it’s elegant and dainty yet packs enough crab flavour (including some brown meat) to properly excite.

Dorset crab lasagne

Other highlights include a saline assembly of wild sea bass served with cockles, sea beets and oyster; and a gutsier duck breast with ornage purée — it’s duck á l’orange, but much more modern than the one your grandma may have made.

In classic French tradition, the puddings are just as intricate as the mains. An apple Tarte Tatin is a not-too-sweet treat, while a Valrhona chocolate mille-feuille with salted caramel ice-cream is for the dedicated indulgents.

Chef-proprietors: Chris and Jeff Galvin

The atmosphere There’s a real sense of occasion at La Chapelle. This is thanks largely to the stunning and ornate surrounds, but firmly backed-up by the classy, picture-perfect food.

It’s bustly but still intimate, sophisticated but not swanky and a whole lot of fun despite all the finesse.

Who goes there? Given its Liverpool Street setting you shouldn’t be surprised to see a fair few suits settling down for dinner, but they’re usually outnumbered by daters, gastro-minded tourists and those with something to celebrate.

Famous London restaurants

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Cheque out Starters range from £13.50 to £18.50 and mains from £25.50 to £35.50. The seven-course tasting menu is £75 without drinks, or £134 with matched wines.

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