Best Contemporary French Restaurants in Marble Arch

Arrived at 5.45pm for a pre-theatre dinner. We had asked to be in a warm spot, which had been noted and was achieved. We went for the 2 course pre-theatre menu to ensure there was no rush. The food was delicious, nice choice of wines, servers were charming and efficient, and ambience very pleasant. (Minor gripe that the music was a little too loud for our taste.) We would have had time for dessert, but were trying to be good!

Orrery never fails to disappoint. Understated elegance with delicious food, and of course the wonderful sommelier, Julio - who always makes our visit special! Thank you Orrery Team!

While the food, particularly the caramelized onion tart and the crème brûlée, was outstanding, it was the service that really bumps the Palm Court up to 5+ stars. Both our waitress and the waiter who followed her, whose names we unfortunately did not get, were wonderful. We were there to celebrate my wife’s birthday and had notified the restaurant when I made the reservation. They greeted her like family, with a warm birthday wish and a surprise birthday desert (the crème brûlée) that was accompanied by a card signed by the entire staff! Little gestures like that sometimes make all the difference, and that certainly did. Even without that, the food was outstanding, but the service was spectacular.

Another excellent lunch at Cornus. I was tempted by the excellent value set lunch menu at £55 for 3 courses but succumbed to the full 7 course tasting menu at £165, which included of course the usual selection of canapés, delicious sourdough bread and focaccia, and petit fours. Top quality ingredients, highly skilled cooking and beautiful presentation. Highlights included red mullet with a salsa verde; cod with girolles, squid and crispy potatoes; roast pigeon with a chestnut purée. Service was excellent throughout from the whole team, with particular thanks to the incomparable sommelier Melania and joint owner David. The wine list is extensive and keenly priced by London standards but BYO is extremely popular and with corkage at lunch of £20 an absolute bargain. The total bill for this solo diner was £235, including a glass of champagne, corkage and service charge. I think that is tremendous value for money. Overall at least 17/20 and one of the best restaurants in London for classic cooking with lots of technique and top quality ingredients. The only problem is that now I’m torn between long-established sister restaurant Medlar and newcomer Cornus for a neighbourhood lunch. Ah well, life is tough.

Amazing restaurant. Excellent food and service Good music