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A restaurant inspired by a book by French philosopher Albert Camus has been voted the best in the capital.
L'Etranger in Kensington has been selected as the Which? Good Food Guide London restaurant of the year. Named after the book by the Nobel Prize-winning existentialist, the neighbourhood restaurant won after more than 23,000 people voted.
It is the brainchild of Algerian Ibi Issolah and chef Jerome Tauvron and has a Japanese-influenced French menu. Tauvron, who trained with the three Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse in Monaco and worked under Marco Pierre White at Quo Vadis, has won rave reviews for his cooking since the 64-seater restaurant opened in 2003.
Restaurant manager Matthew Mawtus said: “It's excellent that all of our hard work has been recognised. Around 60 per cent of our guests are returning customers, who live locally.
“People come from all over but our core business is serving the community. That is why it is so pleasing that this award has been voted for by the public.”
The signature dish at L'Etranger — which means outsider — is black cod marinated in miso soup with sumo chips. Other dishes with an East meets West theme include slow-cooked lamb on a bed of aubergine and a lavender, saffron and wasabi crème brûlée.
Mr Issolah, who abandoned a law career to come to London, started as a barman at the Café Royal, working his way up to become general manager of the Atlantic Bar & Grill, before opening L'Etranger. The restaurateur and his executive chef are now also behind Beauberry House in Dulwich.
L'Etranger will now go up against nine other regional winners to compete for the UK's restaurant of the year award, which will be decided at a ceremony at the British Museum on 9 June.
Elizabeth Carter, editor of The Good Food Guide, said: “All of the restaurants that made it on to this year's shortlist should be really proud of the show of support they've received from their customers. It will now be a really tough decision for the judges to crown the winner.”
Reader views (3)
The best place to enjoy high end food in a very pleasant atmosphere and with excellent service. Keep it up guys.
- Kunal, Oslo, Norway, Oslo, Norway
A magnificent restaurant and a well deserved accolade
- Phillip, London, UK
Richly deserved accolade
- Clive, London, UK
