Maison Francois  

 

 

ADDRESS

36 Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6DF

 

 

Nearby

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Head chef Matthew Ryle, a Masterchef: The Professionals finalist who honed his classical cooking skills at The Dorchester, has teamed up Francois O'Neill to give us Maison Francois. Restaurants are in the blood for Francois. His father Hugh O'Neill co-founded Brasserie St. Quentin in 1980 with his cousin Quentin Crewe, who was the restaurant critic at the Evening Standard for close to 20 years. With Ed Wyand (previously head maitre d' at Scott's) heading up the front of house team, the trio's St James's restaurant pays homage to the grand brasseries of Paris, Lyon and Alsace with rustic house terrines, homemade saucisson and classics like Reblochon gougeres and oeufs mimosa. For pudding, a trolley winds its way through the tables, laden with layered Gateau Marjolaine, praline Paris-Brests and a daily selection of seasonal fruit tarts. Service makes no distinction between front and back of house. Chefs and waiters bring plates to tables and drinks are mixed at a dispensary bar, giving the restaurant an open feel. Dine on patisseries fresh from the in-house bakery, oysters, handmade pasta as well as whole fish and meat cooked simply over the wood-fired grill.

Maison Francois  photo: Steven Joyce