Chez Antoinette Victoria — Restaurant in London

Chez Antoinette is a gorgeous French restaurant in Victoria. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed into a beautiful and cozy restaurant with a mezzanine. The restaurant was charming and sophisticated and wonderfully French!

We were lucky enough to meet owner, Aurelia, who originally worked as an interior designer (which is why the interiors are so beautiful!). After some time travelling, Aurelia decided that she wanted a change. Together with her husband, they set up their first restaurant in Covent Garden and named it after her grandmother – Chez Antoinette. She wanted the food to resemble good home cooked comfort French classics and with a small menu it means they can really deliver on the quality of their dishes. Now, they have expanded to Chez Antoinette Victoria!

We tried a red and a white glass of Cotes-du-Rhone (£5.75), along with French Onion Soup (£7.50) and Eggs Merrette on Toast (£7.50). The soup was divine and a real winter warmer, as well as a French classic. The cheese on top of the bread was delicious and the soup itself had lovely subtle flavours. The Merrette on Toast had perfectly cooked poached eggs with runny yolk topped with chives.

We opted for the Bavette Steak cooked medium-rare, accompanied by roast potatoes, spinach and black pepper sauce (£18) and the Lamb Shank with carrot puree and tenderstem broccoli (£24).

Both main dishes were incredible with clear French influences. The steak was cooked perfectly, and incredibly tender with lots of flavour coming from the meat and the sauce. Similarly, the lamb shank was superb and simply fell off the bone, exactly how it should be. The carrot puree was out of this world – it had a creamy texture and gave the plate a great splash of colour as well. Both dishes were hearty mains and incredibly enjoyable.

For desserts, we opted for a French classic, The Paris Brest (£5) and the Praline tart (£5). The Paris Brest was a real delight, with soft pastry and a generous filling of praline flavoured cream, topped with almonds. The Praline tart had an amazing thick pastry base and crust and the filling was a beautiful red colour, super creamy and very nutty!

Chez Antoinette is a must visit French restaurant in Victoria. The staff are wonderful and the food is amazing. It really is fantastic to see independent restaurants such as Chez Antoinette thrive and they completely deserve to. We can’t wait to try more...

our experience was nothing short of delightful. Despite arriving later than our reservation time, the staff graciously accommodated us with warm smiles and welcoming attitudes, immediately setting a positive tone for our evening.

We began our meal with the Salmon and Chicken dishes, accompanied by a House Salad. Each dish was served promptly and cooked to perfection. The Salmon was tender and flavorful, paired beautifully with a delicate sauce that enhanced its natural taste. The Chicken was equally impressive, juicy, and seasoned just right. The House Salad provided a refreshing balance, with crisp greens and a delightful dressing that tied all the flavors together.

For dessert, we indulged in the classic Creme Brulee, which did not disappoint. The caramelized sugar crust had the perfect crunch, and the custard was creamy and rich. To accompany our dessert, we ordered a Flat White and a Mocha. Both drinks were expertly prepared, with the Flat White being smooth and well-balanced, while the Mocha offered a delightful blend of chocolate and coffee.

The ambiance at Chez Antoinette Victoria was romantic and intimate, ideal for a special evening out. The dim lighting and tasteful decor created a cozy atmosphere, allowing us to relax and enjoy our meal. The service was outstanding throughout our visit; the staff were attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed without being intrusive.

Here are a few tips for those planning to visit:

Reservations: Make a reservation, especially if you’re dining before a theater show. It can get busy, and having a reservation ensures you get a table. Timing: Arrive on time to fully enjoy the experience. If you're running late, a quick call to the restaurant can help them adjust. Menu Recommendations: Don’t miss the Salmon and Creme Brulee; they were highlights of our meal. Beverages: The Flat White and Mocha were excellent choices to complement our dessert. Ambiance: For a romantic evening, request a table by the window or in a quieter section of the restaurant.

Overall, Chez Antoinette Victoria provided a wonderful dining experience that perfectly complemented our theater plans. We left with full hearts and satisfied palates, eager to return for another...

All day menu on their website is not available on Sunday. We only had a brunch menu. Food is good and service is ok. I had a huge expectation for French onion soup which turned out to be nothing special. Chicken was succulent and flavoursome but the sauce was less impressive, peas and green beans were the best dishes. Wine selection is ok but not a good Viognier wine. Although I made it clear it was on a birthday occasion on my online booking, they paid no attention to it. The lady said 'oh we didn't know it was your birthday! ' when my friends told her they were paying the bill for my birthday. I am a local resident in SW3 for 17 years and the restaurants we visit on birthday occasions such as Cote, Daphne's, the Ivy or Medlar never forget such special occasions on our bookings. On arrival we asked if we could sit upstairs because it looked a bit nicer but the manager snubbed our request immediately saying it's booked for a party. But while we were staying, we could see empty tables upstairs and no sign of a party, couples were sitting at tables. He probably thought we were Asian tourists who would never return. It's a wrong assumption since all of us Japanese are long-term local residents who love to try out different restaurants in SW and compare them to our food experience in France, Spain and Italy. The young male waiter even looked so surprised at my experience in France saying 'you have been to France?' We decided to go to another cafe nearby for desert instead of staying on for sweets there. It has a nice Parisian ambiance and good enough for coffee and waffles for tourists but I wouldn't recommend it for local residents and serious eaters on special occasions because of their lack of genuine customer service and mediocre food. I am very disappointed as I had a very high expectations based on positive reviews. I really wanted to add this place to our regular place for dining out as it's so close to our home. So I am very sad to say it's not good enough to bring my...