Last week, we were invited to try Avi Bistrot-Américain, the latest in a series of contemporary American restaurant openings in London and the newest string in the Lowndes Hotel's bow.
It's undeniable that London is in the middle of a love affair with elevated American dining, with Mayfair leading the charge on our obsession with all things NYC-inspired. From the arrival of Italian-American powerhouse Carbone at The Chancery Rosewood to New York-style chopped chicken wraps appearing on counters in Mayfair delis, Dante in residence and Magnolia Bakery quietly checking into the OWO, the capital is increasingly borrowing from Manhattan's playbook of indulgence.
Avi Bistrot is the latest restaurant opening to match this emerging trend. The menu is French-American inspired and deals predominantly in caviar, truffle and high-quality vodka. Joshua Conte, the head chef, previously made his name at Chiltern Firehouse and the Dorchester, so expect that kind of polished, Instagrammable and confident cooking.
Doing our journalistic duty, we tasted a decent portion of the menu. We had the LA lobster brioche, the tomato-tequila paccheri, the tuna tartare, the truffle fries and the NYC fried chicken and caviar. Stand-outs for us were the fried chicken and caviar and the paccheri. Both dishes offered nostalgic flavours, bolstered with a bougie twist.
Drinks-wise, we decided the must-order beverage was the Tsar martini. Briny pickled onions, olives and even more caviar were pitted against the smooth, firm clarity of Belvedere to produce a powerful mouthful and an ideal pairing for the deep golden batter coating the chicken bites.
The atmosphere here is intimate rather than opulent. Deep-red, velour seat coverings and old-school bistro artwork dominate the space and provide a cosy feel. Knightsbridge locals and those looking for an indulgent dinner should fuel up here before venturing out into glitzy Belgravia nightlife.
If you're staying at the hotel or if you happen to be nearby in the morning, don't forget to give the Avi breakfast a go – it's open for non-residents too. Sample the brioche French toast and potato rösti, and drop a review to let us know what you think!