Roux at the Landau, Langham Hotel, Marylebone, London

Mini baguette

Dinner at Le Gavroche has been on our wish list for a while, but the difficulty in getting a table and the prices have so far stopped us visiting. But when Becks spotted a Time Out offer for Roux at the Landau we jumped on it. Michel Roux Junior's cooking at a cut down price? Yes please!

The Landau is situated inside the Langham Hotel just north of Oxford Circus and makes a very pleasant escape from the bustling crowds and I'm sure is popular with all of the TV executives located just over the road in New Broadcasting House.

A landau, I learnt on the evening, is a luxury city carriage from the eighteenth century and the dining room has been decorated in a style sympathetic to the heritage of the landau. The dining room was classic with a few contemporary nods.

We might have been getting a cut price deal with three courses, half a bottle of wine, coffee and petit fours for £42.50, but the service was full price with a high staffing level in the restaurant. In the main the service was pretty relaxed, although in classic French style the sauces were poured over our plates at the table. (I only got lucky once, but Becks was sauced every course.)

Canapés

We both thought the value for money was bordering on the exceptional. The food was, relatively, simple but cooked with high quality ingredients and well cooked. My pumpkin soup was rich and deep in flavour, while the pollock was beautifully cooked and I only wish there was more of the crisp brandade. I might have been, gently, told which cheeses I was having rather than being able to choose form the trolley, but they were all excellent and the piccalilli went really well with the cheeses.

Becks was big fan of her game dartois starter and the coconut rice pudding with passion fruit sorbet was a contender for dish of the day.

We might have had a special offer, but the regular menu du jour is a very similar price and worth keeping in mind if you are need of a classy escape from the hustle and bustle of Oxford St.

Game Dartois, celeriac, mushroom duxelle, Cumberland sauce

Pumpkin soup with toasted almonds

Pollock, char grilled peppers, crisp brandade, Calcot onions, marjarom 

Braised rabbit leg, bulghar wheat, preserved lemon, monk's beard 

Cheese plate

Coconut rice pudding, chocolate crumb, passion fruit

Roux at the Landau
The Langham,

1 Portland Place,

Marylebone, 

London

W1B 1JA