May 13, 2026 |
Situated on the junction where South Audley Street meets Adam’s Row sits an Edwardian, red-brick townhouse. But it’s what’s inside that truly counts. There, you’ll find Bar des Prés, a France-born restaurant that feels perfectly at home in amongst Mayfair’s affluent shops and cocktail bars. Having relocated from Albemarle Street on the May 7, at the new, South Audley Street location chef Cyril Lignac continues to bring his signature fusion of French and East-Asian cuisine to London through delicate plates, refined sushi and well-executed patisseries.
When we visited, stepping steadily into the middle of spring, the temperature outside was heating up and, with it, the blue skies and sunlight had Mayfair beaming too – for me, it was the perfect excuse to slip on my new Matthieu Blazy Chanel heels without the threat of rain (a win in my books!). With Saturday’s afternoon light pouring through the front windows, the interiors immediately struck a balance between elegance and eclecticism. A deep navy carpet scattered with soft gold speckles – reminiscent of terrazzo tiles – ran beneath rich walnut wood panelling and abstract framed artworks that lined the walls. The space itself felt polished yet bold, with warm brass lighting surrounding the bar and an oversized lantern-like lamp suspended from the ceiling like folded sails, its softened light beaming gently off every surface.
The long marble bar curved through the restaurant, offering a glimpse into the rhythm of service. Shelves lined with premium spirits sat beside rows of crockery and a huddle of waving golden Chinese cats, adding a playful contrast to the otherwise refined setting. Behind the counter, bartenders moved with quiet precision, shaking and stirring cocktails into sleek concoctions with ease, while further down the line chefs torched cuts of meat and rolled sushi to order.
At our table, every detail felt considered: the high-gloss timber catching the glow from above, inky ceramic plates etched with fine radial detailing, weighty glass tumblers and woven cushions lining the peacock-toned booths. Rattan-framed chairs softened the polish of the room, lending a subtle Riviera ease to the interiors. Slim walnut-toned cutlery and chopsticks arrived on a wooden tray from our waiter, who laid them beside each setting with quiet precision before pouring deep soy sauce into small ceramic dishes – a subtle ritual that made the experience feel intimate.
We began the meal lingering over the drinks menu, which subtly threaded East Asian flavours through familiar classics. The Belle Époque – a bright mix of Tanqueray Export gin, St-Germain, cucumber, citrus and sparkling wine – felt particularly crisp. The South Audley Spritz, combining Ketel One vodka with Suze, yuzu sake, elderflower, lavender and sparkling wine, was equally refreshing with each sip. Both were perfectly suited to a warm spring afternoon and, dangerously, far too easy to drink.
The meal commenced with a procession of sushi rolls. The tempura prawn California roll offered a precise contrast of textures: delicately crisp batter giving way to buttery avocado, with rice lightly dusted in sobacha and tobiko, while a Thai mayonnaise supported the freshness of the roll. The seared tuna roll followed, finished with a slender slice of jalapeño that delivered a measured heat. Beneath it, pristine tuna and avocado were layered with Korean spices, while the gentle searing lent a whisper of smokiness to each bite. Next came the yellowtail tartare maki, the most indulgent of the selection, crowned with pearls of Oscietra caviar. The salinity lifted the softness of the yellowtail, creating a refined blend of brine and richness that lingered on the palate.
Served proudly on a small wooden platter were two seared A4 wagyu nigiri crowned with a generous serving of Oscietra caviar. The marbling of the wagyu had been gently seared with a blowtorch – a process we had witnessed moments before service as flames flickered theatrically across the bar counter. The meat melted on the palate; a single mouthful proving to be pure indulgence.
Without hesitation, we accepted our waitress’s recommendation of a chilled glass of non-vintage Ruinart to accompany the raw fish selection that followed. Served in long, slender flutes, the champagne was luminous, carrying a delicate lightness through each sip. Alongside it arrived the yellowtail mi-cuit – the French technique of gently cooking at a low temperature so the fish remains largely raw. The yellowtail was sliced wafer-thin, each piece dressed in ponzu and finished with toasted sesame seeds. Next came the salmon tiradito: delicate slices of sashimi-grade salmon, carefully rolled and folded, marinated in a vibrant yuzu pepper sauce. Jewel-toned pieces of tosazu jelly were scattered across the top, adding a subtle sharpness to the dish. Fresh and refined, the bright citrus notes cut cleanly through the silky texture of the salmon, creating a balance that felt both light and deeply flavourful – elegant in presentation and equally polished on the palate.
The dish I had been most eager to try – and one widely considered a signature at Bar des Prés – was the crispy rice. Six perfectly symmetrical rectangles of deep-fried rice arrived artfully arranged, each topped with slices of yellowtail, salmon and tuna sashimi. Finished with fine shavings of vibrant lime zest and a light chipotle dressing, every piece delivered a balance of heat, citrus and richness. The dish was even better than I had imagined: the crisp crunch of the warm rice giving way to the soft, buttery texture of the fish above. Each bite was intensely satisfying yet surprisingly delicate. It was the kind of dish that immediately makes you want another serving – I could have ordered it ten times over.
Another signature dish our waiter strongly encouraged us to try was the crunchy crab and avocado galette with Madras curry. Traditionally, a galette is a French flat pastry served with either sweet or savoury fillings, though this interpretation felt far more refined. The base was a crisp tostada wafer topped with delicately seasoned curry-infused crab and layered with perfectly thin slices of avocado arranged neatly across the surface. Cut into four triangles, the galette delivered a satisfying contrast of textures – crunchy, creamy and lightly spiced all at once. It was easy to understand why the dish had become such a favourite, though considerably harder to share once it arrived at the table.
The main course struck a polished balance between refinement and comfort. First to arrive were two lightly toasted brioche rolls generously filled with sweet lobster, smooth cocktail sauce and crisp shreds of gem lettuce. Alongside sat the Chilean sea bass, served over vibrant peas folded through wild garlic pesto and finished with a delicate Thai broth foam. The fish flaked effortlessly under the fork, while the freshness of the pesto cut neatly through its richness.
At our waitress’s suggestion, a glass of Famille Perrin Luberon Blanc from the South of France accompanied the main course. Crisp and refreshing, with notes of citrus and green apple, it complemented each dish effortlessly, enhancing the lighter flavours without overwhelming them. Our glasses were refilled without asking – rather dangerously.
We had little room left for dessert; however, once the profiteroles arrived, crowned with vanilla ice cream, rich chocolate sauce and generous swirls of Chantilly cream, they disappeared almost instantly. The choux pastry was light and airy, the richness of the chocolate balanced by the cool sweetness of the ice cream.
After indulging our way through the menu, we left thoroughly charmed by Bar des Prés. From the food to the atmosphere, every detail felt considered and intimate. The service was impeccable and, as we wandered back along South Audley Street pleasantly overfed, it was clear the lunch would linger in our minds long after the final course.
Photography courtesy of Bar des Prés.
