Each and every year, a bunch of the world’s culinary-connoisseurs put their heads together to decide which restaurants will make it into the highly-esteemed and eagerly-anticipated MICHELIN Guide. A roll call of the UK and Ireland’s finest foodies; the guide is ever-changing – and just because a restaurant gets awarded one of those shiny, sought-after stars one year; it does not mean they won’t have it taken away again the next. It’s a harsh world out there, folks.
One London restaurant, however, has managed to keep hold of their Michelin-star status since the very first year they opened. Pied à Terre is the gloriously gourmet restaurant that’s been standing proudly on Charlotte Street since 1991 – and it just so happens to be the longest-standing, independently-owned Michelin-starred restaurant in London. No biggie.
Pied à Terre was founded by David Moore in 1991 – and with its original chef Richard Neat steering the kitchen’s ship; the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in its first year, and a second in 1996. For the following 15 years, Pied à Terre welcomed various different chefs and fluctuated between one and two Michelin stars, but has not been without one since 1991 and has received a whopping 44 Michelin stars in their 33 year history.
Nowadays, the kitchen is led by executive chef, Phil Kearsey, whilst David Moore continues to run the show front-of-house. Kearsey has extensive experience in some of the very best restaurants in the world, and has created a menu of modern British cuisine with classical French techniques, using the highest-quality, hyper-seasonal ingredients. They also have an innovative and impressive vegan offering, boasting the number one vegan tasting menu in the UK.
The restaurant oozes elegance and sophistication – but somehow without being stuffy and intimidating. A fine line that they’ve stayed exactly on the right side of for over 30 years. It’s been freshened up throughout the years with new colour schemes and concepts, but at its core, Pied à Terre has maintained its style and substance since the day it opened its doors. A match made in Michelin-star heaven.
34 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NH.
Find out more and plan your visit to Pied-à-terre here.