Launceston Place there is much to admire about Launceston Place. Having opened in 1986, the prestigious restaurant has managed to earn quite a name for itself, having set a benchmark for itself that few other establishments have managed to achieve in such a short amount of time.
The restaurant initially found itself deeply grounded in French-styled cuisine, but since the passing of the last three decades, it has undergone a great transformation and moved towards new directions.
Tristan Welch in 2008 adopted a more British theme, and upon his departure, it was Tim Allen that scored the restaurant its first Michelin star. Now, Raphael Francois has taken over its helm.
The Launceston Palace is a marvel far beyond just its rich history, though.
For one, its menu pays tribute to a vast variety of cuisines. This is, naturally, to be expected, as the previous chef, Raphael Francois found himself working in the kitchens of both Paris and New York. The restaurant dabbles with traditional British cuisine, New York modernism, and the cooking styles of the French. The restaurant, for most of its history, has drawn inspiration from the work of figures such as Alain Ducasse, but Raphael incorporated a form similar to the works of Rene Redzepi into the mix.
Now, the young Ben Murphy has taken over as head chef who has continued with his own version of the modern twist in the dishes. Hence, the menu has been no less than a culinary odyssey.
Intimacy is an important theme for the restaurant. The restaurant’s environment captures a level of glamour and beauty that has attracted the likes of Princess Diana.
The tables are set at a respectable distance from one another, and the addition of alcoves and fireplaces helps in building a more personal tone. The profound grey walls and the leather seating do add a certain degree of grandeur, but this only augments the sophistication of the restaurant without tarnishing its homely atmosphere.
Launceston Place is, all in all, a place to enjoy great food in a peaceful environment that few restaurants provide.
No Comments