Soutine - Marylebone, London

Over the years, from their time at Caprice Holdings to their successes with The Wolseley, The Delaunay and Brazzerie Zedel to their most recent outing, Corbin & King have become famous for stamping their brand of perfection on everything they touch. Their most recent project is no exception as they've brought a new restaurant to the genteel yet culinarily challenged St John's Wood High Street. Borrowing inspiration from the rich history of artists living in the area and Chaim Soutine in particular, the café-restaurant is situated in a former painting school and aims to be the kind of place that said artists would frequent.

The interiors reflect this with a beautiful sampling of Jeremy King's private collection, art posters and striking mural leading upstairs portraying the street life of the 19^th century St John's Wood neighbourhood. Otherwise, everything is just-so, from the branded dishware to the dark woods of the tables, chairs, moulding and panelling to the cream and brown tiling. They've managed that immensely difficult feat of creating a new space that feels as if it's been lived in for decades. It's one of their most beautiful rooms to date. An instant classic.

The food follows suit. There are Russian influences apparent in the dishes like beetroot terrine with horseradish cream as well as an excellent cured herring with sweet mustard and cucumber. But the menu is predominantly French. Soupe a l'oignon was immaculate, just perfectly balanced, as was a daube de boeuf with celeriac puree and carrots. Escalope de veau Viennoise (aka a schnitzel) was complemented by a beguilingly deep sauce Parisienne and a side order of petit pois. Again, it was one of the best schnitzels we'd had a Corbin & King restaurant. Being rather full for a Friday afternoon, we wrapped up the meal with an impeccable salted caramel éclair and salted caramel Florentines.

Soutine has all the hallmarks of a classic. This should be your first stop-off when dining in St John's Wood.