This listing is from 2022, profiles will be updated after the Restaurant of the Year event in mid-October.

Spending an evening at a fine-dining restaurant, whether it’s your first time or your 17th, should always feel a little special. And The French Café remains synonymous with that specialness. Its former owners, Simon Wright and Creghan Molloy-Wright, were at the helm for 20 years; now with “Sid at” in front of the iconic name, the restaurant is certainly a continuation of The French Café’s ethos, but with a flair that is distinctly Sid Sahrawat’s own.
A four-course à la carte allows you to pick and choose your own night’s meal, but the chef’s choice tasting comes with six. Both options will yield artistic plates that taste and look good, with an elegant balance of delicacy and more daring flavours through the menu. Service here is as on point as ever, with a knowledgeable assuredness that caters well to every type of diner. If you have an interest in wine, sommelier Hiro Kawahara (2019’s Metro Peugeot Restaurant Personality of the Year) will steer you on to the right track with an enthusiasm that’s infectious.
Keep an eye out for the Gaggenau Tuesday Test Kitchen, designed as a way for Sahrawat to trial new dishes and allow for diners’ feedback. Three dishes from Cassia and three dishes from The French Café will be plated up. Each session is limited to 30 guests, and places sell out quickly.