Meal for Two at Galvin La Chapelle – A Perfect Valentine’s Gift from BuyaGift

Galvin La Chapelle – Romantic Michelin Starred Dining in Spitalfields:

There are restaurants in London that I know I should have tried. Every time I dine at a Galvin Brothers restaurant I love the food. From the formality and fine dining of Galvin at Windows to the funky sharing plates at Galvin Hop. Each restaurant I’ve tried has its own unique identity – and yet there’s something that pulls them all together. I’m inclined to think the essence of Galvin is the service which, inevitably comes with a smile. The team at every Galvin Restaurant I’ve tried has been well informed and cohesive. When Buyagift invited me to review something I thought would make a great Valentine’s gift, I checked their ‘special’ restaurant offers and found one with Galvin La Chapelle at £79 for two, including three courses and a glass of bubbles each. It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit – and at that price, the perfect gift!

Galvin La Chapelle comes with a Michelin Star and could so easily slip into stiff formality. Especially in the stunning Grade II listed building in historic Spitalfields, which despite appearances to the contrary was never a Chapel. It was, however, just as I’d imagined – and the kind of place I could imagine making a perfect Valentine’s date venue. Actually, a perfect date venue for any time.

The Buyagift voucher offer comes with a glass of bubbles, which we enjoyed as an aperitif along with some olives and rather excellent sourdough bread.

And, the Menu Du Chef included with that deal has a choice of three dishes at each stage, with one fish and one vegetarian option. It’s a nicely balanced menu where everyone should be able to find something to suit without diverting to the rather pricier a la carte options.

The velouté of coco bean with truffle sabayon looked delicious and my companion seemed more than happy with his choice. His wine pairing was a glass of Txakoli which he described as ‘spacious’

My cod and lobster brandade with rouille and bisque was delicious although rather closer to a fish croquette than I’d anticipated. The brandade mixture itself was encased in a fine breadcrumb and would have been a little dry but for the luscious bisque. A pretty presentation though and a dish I thoroughly enjoyed with a glass of Ladoix Briquottes white Burgundy.

Pavé of hake came with a  light Grenobloise sauce – beurre noisette, capers, parsley and lemon and was served on crushed ratte potatoes laced with parsley and garnished with morsels of crisp croutons. My companion was rapturous about this dish – particularly the potatoes.

Meanwhile, I loved my classic breast of corn-fed chicken with pomme purée, pancetta and button mushrooms served with a rich jus and cavola nero. The perfect winter’s lunch dish.

Skipping dessert, my companion opted for the Fourme d’ambert served with pickled walnut purée, caramelised walnuts, a sprinkling of grapes and celery and some melba toast like wafers of cranberry and walnut bread. 

For me though, the treat of a buttermilk pannacotta served with Champagne poached crimson and Yorkshire rhubarb was too great to miss. Apart from looking stunning, the pannacotta had just the right amount of wobble and paired beautifully with the piquant rhubarb. 

One last treat for each of us – a glass of Muscadet for me and a brandy for my companion. 

And some delicious petit fours with coffee

 

What I enjoy most about the Buyagift vouchers is that the savings on the food itself allow me to splurge a little on wines. At restaurants like Galvin La Chapelle where there are excellent sommeliers and an astonishing wine cellar, I can indulge a little and ask for pairings by the glass without ending up with TOO nasty a surprise at the end.

I wasn’t in the least disappointed by Galvin La Chapelle and I stand by my own instinctive sense before I’d ever seen the restaurant let along tasted the food, that it would be the perfect Valentine’s Date Night restaurant.

If you’d like to try the menu we enjoyed, Buyagift has vouchers a number of Michelin Dining options in London and across the country. The perfect treat for someone you’ve known ‘has always wanted to visit’…even if that someone is yourself.

And, if you do happen to be looking for a Valentine’s date venue, from 14- 16 February Galvin La Chapelle has a special three-course menu priced at £125 per person to include Champagne and canapés to start and after-dinner coffee with handmade chocolates an macaroons. I’m free!

Check the list of  Buyagift Michelin Dining Options and indulge in a special treat.

Galvin La Chapelle
35 Spital Square
London E1 6DY

Disclosure:  We were offered a choice of Buyagift vouchers to review.  All content is editorially given.