Pavyllon London — Restaurant in London

Pavyllon is a bit of strange one, seeming to stay somewhat under the radar despite having Yannick Alleno’s name on the door, a chef with 16 Michelin stars to his name (3rd highest of the chefs still living). I have to admit I hadn’t heard much about Yannick myself until coming across Pavyllon. I visited with my wife on a Saturday evening and were one of just two occupied tables upon our early arrival, with the restaurant being perhaps one third full by the time we left, which was during peak dinner hours.

Being located within the Four Seasons, the decor was as plush as could be expected. We asked to be seated at the counter and this was quite comfortable. Their counter setup is a bit unusual, being a step further back from the kitchen with the additional strip of space being used by the servers to attend to counter diners. We still had a decent enough view of the kitchen activities but couldn’t really see things in detail.

We decided to order a la carte and were advised to choose 2 starters and 1 main per person, which were all served to share upon our request. We tried the tuna tartare, cheese soufflé, beetroot & spinach ravioli and runny yolk ravioli for starters, followed by the Wagyu stroganoff and lamb cutlets for mains. I was not too impressed with the starters, which all felt a bit too ordinary in both taste and presentation, apart from perhaps the tuna tartare which was slightly more enjoyable. The main courses were much better though, and I also enjoyed the signature chocolate soufflé for dessert. Portion sizes were typical for fine dining standards and the generous servings of bread were required as a top up. The end of the meal was a bit too chocolate heavy as after the soufflé, they gave us a complementary chocolate ganache dessert (we were celebrating a birthday) and then a chocolate based petit four. Granted the extras were all freebies but it would have been better to see a bit more variety here.

Service was simply outstanding. We really couldn’t have asked for more. Staff were super attentive and with the set up of their counter we were always in direct view of servers who would show up instantly whenever we needed anything. Granted we benefitted from the fact they were very quiet at the time, but this level of service wouldn’t be out of place in a 2 or 3 star establishment. I’d also like to give a shout out to the sommelier who recommended some excellent wines by the glass to go with my meal.

The bill for our dinner came to £440 of which £165 was spent on drinks. Overall the food was good rather than great, on this factor alone I’d give them 4 stars, perhaps drifting closer to 3 stars once pricing is taking into account. But the excellent service, nice wines and plush setting (including a nice counter setup) were all positives which helped to make this into a decent meal out. I would conclude that this could be a suitable option if you’ve done the rounds of fine dining in London and are looking for a new venue to try out, or alternatively if you want somewhere easily accessible (available on short notice, open 7 days...

Yannick Alléno's Pavyllon at Four Seasons London Park Lane: An Exquisite Dining Experience

My wife and I had the privilege of dining at Yannick Alléno's Pavyllon at the Four Seasons London Park Lane, and I can confidently say this one-star Michelin restaurant is on its way to earning a second star. From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted with impeccable service and a warm, inviting atmosphere—perfect for a date night.

The service provided by Andrea Di Gangi and Konstantina was exceptional. Their attention to detail and genuine hospitality made our evening truly memorable. They ensured every aspect of our dining experience was flawless, and we felt incredibly well taken care of.

To start, we enjoyed the Orkney hand-dived scallop ravioli, a dish that was simply sublime. The scallops were tender and packed with flavours that danced on the palate. Following this, we had the steamed Comte cheese soufflé, which my wife described as outstanding. The light, airy texture combined with the rich, cheesy flavour was a delight.

For our main courses, we both selected dishes that exceeded our expectations. I opted for the 36-day-old poached beef fillet in cherry blossom leaves and gratinated Comte. The beef was cooked to absolute perfection—tender, juicy, and full of flavor. My wife had the roasted duck magret with marinated sweet daikon, which she claimed was one of the best duck dishes she had ever tasted, and it didn't even involve pancakes! The combination of the tender duck and the sweet daikon was divine.

Although I was quite full by this point, my wife couldn't resist dessert. She ordered the creamy chocolate soufflé, which was the perfect ending to our meal. Light, fluffy, and decadently rich, it was a chocolate lover's dream.

One of the standout aspects of Pavyllon is its inclusivity; they offer Halal meat options, ensuring a diverse range of dietary preferences is catered to. This thoughtful touch makes the restaurant accessible to more diners, and we greatly appreciate it.

The head chef, Benjamin Ferra Y Castell, and his talented team have created a menu that is nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. Every dish we tried was crafted with precision and artistry, showcasing the finest ingredients and innovative techniques.

In conclusion, Yannick Alléno's Pavyllon at Four Seasons London Park Lane is a gastronomic haven that offers an extraordinary dining experience. The combination of outstanding food, exceptional service, and a welcoming ambience makes it a perfect choice for a special night out. We look forward to returning and experiencing more of the exquisite dishes this remarkable restaurant...

I wanted to try this restaurant after seeing their very reasonable (relatively speaking, for this kind of experience) lunch menu and a few strong reviews.

They currently offer a five-course tasting lunch for £55.50. The service was excellent, with waiters happy to engage in discussions about wine, the ideas behind the food, and the restaurant itself. Every member of staff was friendly, approachable, and professional.

Being sat at the bar was an interesting experience and it was a treat to be able to see the chefs at work, not merely going through the motions but clearly discussing new dishes throughout service and tasting as they went. One thing I would say is that the seats are far too close to each other; I am not huge by any means but I was very glad it was a quiet service that day. If every seat had been full at the kitchen counter, it would have been very uncomfortable.

The food was of a generally high standard but it felt a bit inconsistent and I didn't enjoy some dishes as much as I thought I might. Granted, the restaurant only opened a couple of months ago and they are still experimenting with different menus, so maybe this was to be expected.

The 'shrimp royale with miso beurre blanc' was excellent, the shrimp cooked perfectly, the beurre blanc both rich and slightly acidic. The bread was served at a perfectly warm temperature, crusty on the outside, fluffy on the inside. The red berry sorbet was delicious, lifted by the crystallized mint, while the miso glaze on the fish and the sauce vierge were lovely as well (an interesting pairing but one that I thought worked).

On the other hand, the 'crispy vegetable tart', although nice and refreshing, was served cold; I wasn't really convinced it benefited from this.

The cheese soufflé was a dish I wanted to love, but this wasn't the case. Comte is not a salty cheese and the bell pepper sauce served over it was not enough to rebalance it; no doubt their cheddar soufflé would have been more enjoyable, but more seasoning was needed with this one.

I paid a bit under £100 for five courses (plus bread, a little amuse bouche, and petit fours), a glass of wine, of sake, and service. I enjoyed it, especially with the first class service, but I'm not convinced at the moment to go for the a la carte or full dinner tasting yet, not until the kitchen has found its feet a...