Ambassade D'Ille

A very interesting though quite expensive meal can be enjoyed at the Ambassade D'ille in Old Brompton Road.

I was very impressed that the staff courteously called one hour before the booking to ensure we would still be coming. Maybe because there were so few bookings on the night. Only 10 people in total while we were there.

Nevertheless it was a wonderful experience of good service and a whole range of tasty morsels.

The picture above shows the amuse bouche comprising of quails eggs and tiny scallops. These followed root vegetable crisps in a huge pile of battered herbs.

We chose the tasting menu which in reality is good value. Totally delicious fois gras in delightfully modern soup bowls filled with lobster sauce was a highlight for me.

It is well worth going for the additional cheese board (one between 2 is enough for any couple as the choice is huge and generous) A speciality of Lyon is brought to the table along with a trolley of ripe cheeses from France. Three trolleys in all as an extra one comes with the Stilton mixed with Port. You may have as many cheeses as you care here and plenty of lovely bread and 2 sorts of butter, constantly replenished.

Service is attentive and unobtrusive. The staff are friendly and since Hamid speaks fluent french it was particularly pleasant to chat.

Chef toured the restaurant before the end of our meal, but you are able to watch the kitchen on large screens during the meal from some points in the dining rooms.

The rest rooms have some fantastic features with a bubbling geyser to wash your hands.

Our only criticism is the price of the wines - nothing much less than one hundred pounds but as a tip you can have several long drinks to start that are much more reasonable.

To finish we had a liquorice flavoured ice cream served on ice cold steel. See picture.