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Women chefs turn up heat in coolest kitchens
Ellen Widdup28 Oct 2008
THE restaurants run by London's two leading women chefs have been named among the coolest in the capital.
Angela Hartnett's Murano and Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, both in Mayfair, have made the top 20 in the annual Harper's Bazaar & Moët Going Out Guide 2009.
They are joined by old favourites The Ivy in Covent Garden and the relaunched Quo Vadis in Soho, as well as relatively new openings Hix Oyster & Chop House in Farringdon and Le Café Anglais in Bayswater.
But the restaurants carrying Gordon Ramsay's name in Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, and at Claridge's, Mayfair, have been overlooked, as has Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in Islington and Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley Hotel (formerly Pétrus), Belgravia.
Ms Darroze, 42, said it was wonderful to see female chefs making an impact in the capital despite being out-numbered.
"Coming from a long line of chefs, both female and male, I think that gender shouldn't be an issue," she said.
"What is important is a passion for cooking and how it translates into the dishes we as chefs create. However, it's great to see so many female chefs making a noise in London and internationally."
The French chef said she was delighted her restaurant had been included in the top 20. "This city is home to some of the most exciting restaurants and chefs in the world and it is an honour to be featured alongside them."
Editor of the Harper's Bazaar & Moët Going Out Guide, Sophie Dening, said a panel of judges had singled out three London restaurants for great design, food and atmosphere.
East Room, Shoreditch, was given top marks for its interior; Mark Hix of Hix Oyster & Chop House for his top British food; and Quo Vadis, Soho for its "buzz", following its relaunch this year.
Ms Dening said the credit crunch did not seem to be affecting any of the top-end restaurants. "When I tried booking a table anonymously last week, for dinner for two on Friday, the first three City restaurants I called were fully booked," she said.
Alongside the top 20, Harper's Bazaar has chosen a selection of popular local London restaurants. The choices include Eight Over Eight in Chelsea, Greek restaurant Lemonia in Primrose Hill, and Chez Bruce, Wandsworth.
