L'Etranger

A very smart addition to South Kensington and one which will run and run. The dining room is chic and sophisticated, the cooking bursts with vibrant flavours, the service is silky, and the menu inspired. The clientele is a mix of locals, celebrities, and the model/actor/footballer crowd, although some of them are locals, too. The menu is not so much East meets West as confident modern French cuisine that skillfully incorporates Japanese flavours. More collusion than collision. The favourite starter is an irresistible tuna tartare with Sevruga caviar, mains include eel with foie gras, steamed vegetables with seaweed or flash fried kobe beef fillet with summer black truffles. There's a very nice vegetarian menu du jardin, and the puds are suitably complicated like mango soufflé, yuzu and tofu sorbet, shiso mojito or trio of summer black truffles, pandan leaves and wasabi creme brulee. The wine list is quite amazing, and the weekend brunch a delight.Average price - £35 - 40 (€49 - 56)Tumblers Wine Bar 1 Kensington High St, London, W8 5NP If you're looking for a place to have a few drinks before your meal, try Tumblers Wine Bar within short walking distance. L'Etranger will be opening it's own in-house bar in May - something to definitely look forward to.