London's crème de la crème flock to Hélène Darroze at the Connaught for exemplary regional French haute cuisine, served in a quintessentially Edwardian wood-paneled hotel dining room. Taking inspiration from Les Landes region in southwest France, Darroze sallies forth with a procession of magical dishes. Caviar d'Acquitaine wows with oyster tartare in a stylish martini glass, topped with black caviar jelly and white haricot bean velouté. Spit-roasted and flambéed grouse is served delightfully pink, with duck foie gras, and mini-Brussels sprouts. To finish, enjoy Madagascar chocolate ganache with raspberry sorbet and galangal crème brûlée. Note that the prices are high: £39 for lunch, and £75 or £95 for the set dinners.
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