Le Cercle
Le Cercle
1 Wilbraham Place
London SW1
Tel:020 7038 3660
Discreet chic defines this establishment.
If this floats your boat it is
somewhere to be recommended as
it hidden from view in the manner
of a private dining club, and
certainly doesn’t stand
out from the row of attractive
and elegant town houses in this
uber stylish part of town. The
restaurant has been cleverly
decorated with uses of wood and
fabric. A chocolate and cream
theme runs throughout the rooms
creating a very tasteful and
elegant atmosphere for its diners
with attractive screens adding
an air of reserve and privacy.
Recently Le Cercle (sister restaurant
of Club, Cellar and Comptoir Gascon)
celebrated its fifth birthday and
accordingly the French Head Chef,
Pascal Aussignac, decided to mark
the occasion by creating a whole
host of new menus. This includes
a five course tasting menu which
will change on a monthly basis.
We began with wild rocket sorbet,
deep green in colour and remarkably
refreshing with just a hint of
balsamic vinegar to cleanse the
palate. This was followed with
a very dainty and artistic spring
salad served with crunchy vegetables
These were all cooked perfectly
al dente with the added unusual
touch of a tulip confit making
for a colourful bowl of interesting
tastes and flavours. Next came
a dish of stunningly presented
line-caught sea bass tartare scented
with vanilla oil and nasturtium
leaves which was melt in the mouth
tender. It was accompanied with
a shot glass of a citrus and vanilla
flavoured vodka with fresh pomegranate
seeds adding a touch of zing. A
tender rack of lamb with garden
pea puree and verbena was small
but just the right size due to
the many courses we were sampling
throughout the evening. Each course
was accompanied by different wine
which made for an interesting entrée
into the cellar.
To conclude there were two puddings.
A crispy macaroon with a soured
cream interior, hibiscus, berries
and raspberry jus and a fresh and
bubbly cappuccino with a custard,
creamy apricot interior served
with crunchy biscuits.
Le Cercle hits the right note
between elegant and affordable
which must hit all the right notes
with the locals who (although are
no doubt loaded) like the rest
of us, still want value for money.
Louise Elgin. May 2009
The Spring Menu is £35.00
per person or £50 with wine
pairings.
Monthly Wine Tasting Dinners take
place every third Tuesday and are
hosted by the restaurants sommelier.
Each will revolve around a specific
region of France - £35.00
inclusive.
Prix fixe lunch: £15.00 for
three courses, £19.50 for
four.
Pre/post theatre menu: £17.50
for three courses, £21.50
for four.
