Littlefield Green, French Restaurant Guide

“A masterpiece of impeccable food and service” – Alain Roux is doing a fine job of steering the Thames-side flagship of the Roux culinary dynasty, founded by his late father Michel in 1972. It is one of the top-10 most commented-on destinations outside London in our annual diners’ poll and ratings were off-the-charts good this year, with it delivering “everything you would expect from a three Michelin star restaurant”. “This is formal fine-dining at its best” (jackets must be worn and sportswear is not permitted), with staff who “manage to make your experience feel individual and very special”. Of course, there’s a “price tag to match”, but even those who complain on this score (and a fair number do) generally go on to say something along the lines of: “even though I wouldn’t say it was quite worth it, it is a superb destination, even if you actually only go once, or just once a year for that (very) special occasion”. (The late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary here). There is a tasting menu as well as the à la carte, but at heart this is utterly classic French cuisine, with dishes such as: ‘Tartare et queues de langoustines d’Ecosse, caviar osciètre, macédoine de légumes au raifort et émulsion à l’estragon’. Especially in summer, it’s “a lovely setting too”, with pre-dinner fizz out on the terrace. “Superlative every time”. “A real gastronomic experience”.

Reporters “love this riverside, upmarket bistro which delivers a fabulous location, professional service and simple but well-cooked dishes”. Given its starry pedigree – it was relaunched as a Gallic restaurant by hospitality royalty Alain Roux and late father Michel Roux Sr in 2017 – and also given that it’s in a “well-heeled part of West London suburbia, it represents decent value” too (especially taking into account that it has “that elusive ingredient, the ‘feel-good’ factor”). (The site has an interesting history as one of the world’s top nightclubs in the 1970s, when folks like John and Yoko would party the night away).