Joël Robuchon’s L’Atelier brand returns to London
L’Atelier Robuchon London will launch next month on Clarges Street and will be a counterpart to the group’s other L’Atelier restaurants in Hong Kong, Miami, Taipei, Las Vegas and Geneva – all of which hold between one and three Michelin stars.
The relaunch is being spearheaded by executive chef Andrea Cofini, who joined the Robuchon group in 2014, working at the flagship at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris; and more recently at Robuchon Shanghai.
It marks a return to London for Robuchon’s L’Atelier brand. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon was opened in Covent Garden by the eponymous late French chef in 2006 and held a Michelin star from 2007. However, the restaurant closed in 2019 following the Robuchon’s death the year before.
Le Comptoir Robuchon subsequently launched in Mayfair in a bid to further secure the legacy of the pioneering chef. Though still high-end, it was a little more casual than L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon focusing on Robuchon’s ‘simple, light, small plates style’.
It opened alongside the more casual all-day restaurant and patisserie Le Deli Robuchon in Piccadilly, which continues to operate.
L’Atelier Robuchon London’s menu will include signature Robuchon dishes such as the purée de pomme de terre; the sea bream carpaccio; and quail with foie gras.
The restaurant will see the return of the marble-topped dessert trolley; and also feature a cheese trolly serving a daily-changing rotation of southern French and Italian cheeses.
Holding 74 covers, the refurbished dining room will riff on the L’Atelier brand’s trademark black and red lacquer interior design and have an open kitchen with marble countertop.
A newly created bar area at the entrance will host a newly launched programme of live music.
Heading up the drinks offering is Renaud De Bosredon Combrailles who most recently ran Louie in Covent Garden, which coincidentally sits on the site of the original L’Atelier Robuchon.
Drinks to feature on the menu will include tomato and basil infused Campari; hay sake; and a vodka infused with pastry from La Boulangerie Robuchon in Acton.
