By Katie Wilson
You’ve probably heard of Le Cordon Bleu, the famous Parisian cookery school that trains some of the world’s top chefs. A few familiar names to have passed through its doors include Dame Mary Berry, Yotam Ottolenghi and patisserie queen Peggy Porschen.
But did you know the culinary institute in central London has a secret restaurant attached? CORD opened its doors in June 2022 and is the first Le Cordon Bleu restaurant in the UK.
Aspiring chefs, foodies or wine enthusiasts can enrol on courses here, and there is a casual café under the same roof, but you should book a table at the fine dining restaurant for lunch or dinner.
CORD by Le Cordon Bleu restaurant review
Being Le Cordon Bleu trained, you expect good food here – and it delivers. Even arriving at the restaurant felt exclusive as the entrance, which we almost missed, is hidden next to St Bride’s Church on London’s famous Fleet Street.
Inside everything is precise, from the hotel lobby style reception to the crisp white table cloths on every table. No matter where you are sat in the restaurant, it’s fascinating to see the chefs at work in the open kitchen, each one wearing a traditional toque (tall chef’s hat).
In the daytime, light floods the space through the skylights, creating an alfresco feel. When we visit in the evening, there are candles on tables and chandelier bulb lights hanging from the ceiling. It’s not too dark or dimly lit, but with just enough atmosphere for you to feel you’re sat somewhere special.
Guests can order from the à la carte menu, but we’d recommend the nine-course Tasting Menu, if you’re visiting in the evening, which caters for carnivores, vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free and is priced at £108pp.
Menus can change daily. We feasted on Chalked Steam Trout followed by Cornish Crab, Asparagus with Morels and a Black Truffle Shiitake Sourdough. Bigger dishes were BBQ Monkfish and Quail with Smoked Duck and Pink Peppercorn. A ‘gin and tonic’ bubble tea style palate cleanser served in a cocktail glass was next before Banoffee Souffle Tart with Caramel and Hazelnut for dessert. Wine pairing is an extra £80pp should you want to add and is worth the money.
With picture-perfect food and top notch menu knowledge and service (you’d expect nothing less here), CORD is great to book for a special occasion. But if you don’t want to commit to nine courses or have less time, opt for the £72pp four-course tasting menu at lunchtime instead.
Best for: Fine dining, good value set menu, tasting menus, dinner to impress, special occasions
CORD Restaurant by Le Cordon Bleu is at 85 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1AE and is open Monday to Friday for lunch 12pm to 3pm and dinner 6pm to 10pm (last orders 8.45pm). Weekends are available for private hire
Starters are priced from £18 on the à la carte menu and mains start from £28. The Summer Set Menu is £35pp for two-courses and £42pp for three-courses. The four-course Tasting menu, served only at lunchtime, is £72pp and the nine-course dinner Tasting Menu is £108pp. Add wine pairing for an extra £80pp
Book a table at CORD by Le Cordon Bleu here
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