The Black Truffle Risotto – one of the best in London. And I’m a risotto fiend.
Gauthier Soho is an elegant townhouse restaurant, a quiet yet relaxed sanctity from the hustle of Soho. Therefore, I should really do it service and stop calling it ‘Gopher’ (I couldn’t remember its actual name).
Stepping into Gauthier is like entering someone’s house. Someone’s very nice house with demure, attentive and very sweet male hosts. The carpets are plush and just the sort that you’d want to sink your bare feet into. What I enjoyed about Gauthier Soho was that it wasn’t stuffy like some high-end restaurants and the atmosphere was relaxed and the waiters were casually alert.
We dined on the first floor. Décor is minimal, slightly futuristic even, with an elegant silver stag’s head forming the centerpiece. The options for food are well-priced and it does seem as though they’ve gotten into the mindset of the diner well and offer many different combinations of meals at varying prices.
The selection of cheeses at Gauthier smelt like a bad trainer. But tasted divine.
We had the Tasting Menu. 8 courses of dishes that were comforting, unusual, exciting and pretty damn tasty. My personal favourites? It has to be the black truffle risotto, one of their signature dishes. With a fondness for black truffle anyway, the risotto had bite, the parmesan allocation was generous and the veal jus just made it. Then there was the Yuzu. This is a mix of seafood that is presented encased in a covering filled with smoke; unusual, light and tasty. This comes paired with a saki wine, one which isn’t as harsh as normal saki and more palatable that you would imagine. I can’t miss out the Red Mullet dish either – our only ask was that it was bigger…
In fact, it’s actually easier to talk about what we weren’t so keen on. Personally, I felt like the Mandarin & Egg Yolk Curd could have been softer – for the sake of the texture really – combined with sorbet, meringue and the curd, it grates a bit in the mouth. For the second dessert (yes, there’s TWO!), I believe I chose wisely by going for the Poached Yorkshire Rhubarb over the Louis XV dark chocolate and praline. Even though the Louis XV is supposedly a favourite, the rhubarb is deliciously tart and comes with a light foam, delicate white chocolate rolls and some green leaves on top that just add the fresh balance it needs. Absolutely superb.
About to tuck into the rhubarb pudding. This the smile of anticipation and joy.
It’s probably best that you stop reading now and just book yourself a table. Also because I’m drowning in dribble at the memory.
Go on, take a look at Gauthier’s Tasting Menu >
Gauthier Soho
How much? Tasting Menu on its own is £90. Paired with wine it is £130. Still and sparkling water are free. AND there are amuse bouches.
Why go there? Because every single person who works there is proud of the establishment and passionate. It sounds cheesy, but it feels like every dish really is made partly with love. They also have a delicious-looking Vegetarian Tasting Menu. And that doesn’t often happen.
Top Tip: Get the Tasting Menu with Wine. Not only because the wines often ‘make’ the dish, but also for the pleasure of having Marco, the sommelier, come to share his expertise and cheeky grin.
Where is it? Gauthier Soho, 21 Romilly Street, W1D 5AF
Telephone: 0207 4943111
Website: www.gauthiersoho.co.uk
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