What to Order at Bar des Prés in London

With a nicely chilled Belle Époque—a cocktail export gin, St-Germain liqueur, fresh lemon and cucumber, topped off with fine bubbly champagne—Cyril Lignac welcomed me to his London outpost of Bar des Prés. The French/East Asian restaurant follows in the footsteps of the original, which opened eight years ago in Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Margarithai cocktail / Photo: Courtesy of Bar des Prés

A menu section called “California” features rolls such as yellowtail with pommes paille, avocado and jalapeño. With less of the perfectly prepared sushi rice, it’s filled with hair-thin crispy potato strings, avocado cubes and hamachi topped with a sliced jalapeño circle. The chef’s signature crunchy crab and avocado galette with Madras curry is a marvelous thin cracker of Indian flavors that marries well with the creamy crab and avocado, sprinkled with Maldon salt. Nothing less than fabulous is the shareable king crab and lobster salad, with fresh ripe peach and yuzu vinaigrette. Another dish for decadent purists is the spinach salad with yuzu black-truffle coins and bonito flakes.

Sea bass ceviche / Photo: Courtesty of Bar des Prés

Entrées, which are not big, should be ordered, even if you have had other dishes and think you might be full. Delicate and flavorful langoustine ravioli sits on a light lobster bisque cream. Other must-tries include the unique grilled Obsiblue prawns with mango yuzu salsa and coriander, and black cod caramelized with miso and served with a salad of baby spinach and sesame.

Tarte fine / Photo: Courtesy of Bar des Prés

For dessert, the mille-feuille is amazing, as is the strawberry and rhubarb tarte fine served with vanilla crémeux, a masterful ending of great taste and elegance.

Sushi selection / Photo: Courtesy of Bar des Prés

Best For

Intimate, stylish dining in an 18th-century building in London’s Mayfair. Patrons who enjoy multicultural cuisine can feast across continents with fare spanning Japanese sushi rolls and langoustine ravioli.

Verdict

Passionate about Japanese culture, chef Cyril Lignac was inspired to create his own cuisine combining French know-how with Japanese individuality. The result is a truly exquisite and delicious menu filled with exciting offerings.
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