Le Vacherin

 

Warm up with a meal at this cosy French bistro tucked away in a secluded corner of west London. At first glance Le Vacherin looks nothing out of the ordinary. The décor is warm and friendly but far from eye catching and the menu is loaded with traditional dishes. But one morsel of this fabulous food opens your eyes to the hidden agenda of revered head chef, Malcom John, who is on a mission to create the perfect neighbourhood restaurant. Understatement is the key to Le Vacherin's success. Dishes are crafted from the finest, freshest French ingredients and lovingly prepared for a discerning crowd of well-heeled locals. From the tempting selection of starters opt for a dreamily creamy artichoke and smoked duck soup which teases the tastebuds with its delicate vegetable flavour and buttery warmth. Sample the unusual delights of fluffy white asparagus, pickled mushrooms and beetroot. Main courses are of an equally high standard. A delicate pea stuffed ravioli with new season vegetables and herb broth may be the only vegetarian option on a meat heavy menu but it justifies its place with a heavenly combination of flavours. For carnivores, a slow cooked rabbit leg served in a tangy mustard sauce comes with classic French fries. Puddings use traditional ingredients in unusual recipes like the surprisingly delicious poached peaches in goats cheese ice cream and the pot au chocolat - suitably rich and utterly compulsive. Make sure you try the divine cheese from which its name derives, goats cheese has honestly never tasted this good. Le Vacherin is a true local treasure.