Tom Aikens

Tucked away in a quiet residential street, this eponymous, much-heralded Chelsea temple to the serious foodie just gets better, and has deservedly put Tom Aikens up there among the pinnacle of top London kitchens. It's an understated, discreet setting for a premier leaguer, a one-time pub transformed by Anouska Hempel's design into a dining room dedicated to the theatre of fine dining. Dark wooden floors and window shutters, black leather chairs and white walls dotted with modern artwork set the interior's minimalist, self-confident lines. Bamboo screens, table lamps set high into window frames and sumptuous flower displays further distinguish the room, alongside the crockery, cutlery and slate serving plates and well-directed, professional and knowledgeable service. The presentation of Aikens' fixed-priced menu repertoire (lunch, dinner and tasting option) follows the theme of the clean-lined surroundings, with dishes eye-catchingly laid out under their main ingredient; take 'foie gras', which translates as poached and seared foie gras served with jabugo ham, haricot beans and Sauternes sauce. But it's the successful marriage of classical roots, modern interpretation, first-class ingredients and flamboyant presentation that makes Aikens' food sexy and stand out from the crowd. Attention to detail dominates every aspect with its sheer quality, with ancillaries like breads, amuse-bouche, pre-dessert and breathtaking petits fours (of afternoon-tea proportions) hitting top form. Technical skill and intricate design and presentation pepper inventive, generous-portioned, vibrant dishes, their innovative combinations showering the senses with visual and flavour sensations. Expect starters like roasted scallops with braised oxtail, black pudding, parsnip purée, oxtail chicken boudin and red wine sauce, and perhaps roast salt marsh lamb served with sheep's cheese tart, quince purée and braised shallot to follow, while the suitably extensive, French-themed wine list certainly befits the cuisine. This is zenith-class cooking from one of the country's greatest culinary talents - so do make this Chelsea pilgrimage.

Off Fulham Rd (Brompton Rd end)
Nearest station: South Kensington

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