Sunday brunch at Galvin Bistrot de Luxe was tres magnifique! My husband and I enjoyed a lovely 3 course meal with another couple celebrating joint birthdays for the boys. This is a great restaurant in a very uninteresting part of Marylebone, about half way down Baker street surrounded by dull high street stores. But once you step inside the entrance you are transported to an airy bright french bistro. The windows onto the street have discreet curtains which hide diners from the ugly traffic and modern buildings along Baker Street. Inside there are high ceilings which make the room feel spacious despite its narrow frontage. Decor is classic dark wooden tones with crips white table cloths - tres chic.
And now for the food. We started with 2 x smoked salmon, a dozen escargot and a roast quail salad. The smoked salmon was simply presented but tasted of the highest quality. My quail salad was delicious, the tart blood orange cutting the fatty quail perfectly. And my hubby loved his escargots (not really my cup of tea!).
Main courses were excellent. Our friends went for the roast beef which was almost bloody - that was the rarest Sunday roast I've ever seen. But by the look of their spotless plates they enjoyed the beef just as it was served, with potatoes and a red wine jus. My lamb was delicious - in two parts. Succulent shoulder of lamb cooked with raisins and pine nuts wrapped in pastry accompanied with a rare but delicious lamb cutlet. I polished off the veges but can't even remember what they were as the shoulder of lamb absorbed my palate's attention. My husband silently scoffed his pork cheeks and puy lentils. Yummy!
Desserts - 2 blueberry souffles with vanilla ice cream were hoovered up in seconds. My husband's tarte tartine was deliciously caramelised and the chocolate pot was perfect for our chocoholic mate. Matching dessert wines helped finish the meal. Add to that a bottle of champagne and a bottle of red with the mains and I thought it was an outstanding meal for £65 pp including service. Having eaten at Hakkasan a few nights earlier and paid more money for less food, made Galvin all the more enjoyable.
The restaurant was only about 50% full - which amazed me. I'll be back again and I definitely recommend Galvin for a great, long de Luxe Sunday Lunch.