The neighbourhood known as Fitzrovia is quite frankly one of my favourite parts of London, host to many restaurants, big advertising agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, and was once home to Virginia Wolf. Charlotte Street in particular has a reputation for its numerous restaurants, serving a wide range of cuisine and it’s here you will find Elena’s L’etoile.
This charming bistro has been serving up French inspired dishes since 1896, and has had many a famous face stopping by to indulge. It only seems right that I should check out what all the fuss is about.
There is something very classic about the set up, tables dressed with white table cloths, the walls are awash with pictures of all the famous faces that have passed through over the decades, and you are greeted by the happiest of Maitre D’s.
As this was a lunch time jaunt, we were pretty limited on time, so sticking to two courses (starter & main), we wasted no time in placing our orders.
I opted for the smooth chicken liver parfait with red onion, salad and the most amazing brioche toast. The toast was seriously sweet, but when you smother on the parfait, scoop up the salad, and dollop on the red onion chutney, the flavours balance out, and it’s quite the taste sensation.
The chicory and chorizo salad with poached egg and croutons looked fetching too, although I’m not sure it’s acceptable to lean across and grab a forkful of your colleagues food!
armentiere celeriac, braised baby gem, roast red pepper puree & red wine sauce, a good looking plate of food and extremely tasty. I was surprised by the red pepper puree, it gave a real burly flavour to the plate in an unusually pleasant way, but the succulent duck was always going to be a winner.
I could have sat in Elena’s all afternoon sipping on red wine and inspecting each of the famous faces hanging on the wall, chatting with the friendly staff and watching the world go by outside. I left feeling totally charmed and nicely full and so back to the reality that is work, we went……………
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