Alyn Williams at The Westbury opened to much acclaim at the end of 2011, quickly earning its first Michelin Star and now Brasserie Chavot adds its culinary powers to the mix.

Eric Chavot, who previously held 2 Michelin Stars at The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, launched Brasserie Chavot on Conduit Street in Mayfair in early March 2013.

Many of the team who worked with Chavot at The Capital are back together at Brasserie Chavot, including General Manager Christophe Vandoolaeghe, therefore it’s no surprise that this is already a slick operation in the first week of service, with a refined yet relaxed and cheerful style.

Your first impression of the dining room might be one of wondering whether this is in fact in a brasserie or a more formal restaurant with a nod to fine dining – Brasserie Chavot’s is a stylish, glamorous dining room with opulent chandeliers and beautiful tiled flooring. This is a Mayfair brasserie, for sure.

Chefs with a history of refined, delicate cooking and a collection of Michelin stars don’t always do the transition to casual cooking so well. Brasserie Chavot is a definite exception, with a menu of classic French brasserie fare with a few twists and turns.

A starter of chicken liver parfait was rich and intense, and accompanied by a delightful prune and fig chutney, while the deep fried soft shell crab needs no further description. Both were presented on a wooden block, which added a nice, relaxed touch to the dinner.

A main course of roasted cod with Puy lentils was wonderful, the cod served on a broth-like bed of lentils, and despite admiring the waiter’s lack of up-selling, I could easily have managed a side dish.

A Cote de porc with honey and mustard was perfectly cooked just on the right side of translucency, and a side dish of mashed potato was delicious – intensely creamy without losing the texture or taste of potato.

The food at Brasserie Chavot is an absolute triumph and with the varied menu it sets itself up as a place you’ll want to return to regularly. Nice little touches include the back of the menus featuring the design of the restaurant’s stunning tiled floor and a light hearted ‘perhaps an aperitif?’ at the top of the menu listing Lillet, Ricard and Pineau des Charentes as options.

Prices are also reasonable, and not just in Mayfair terms.

The one thing missing at Brasserie Chavot is a ‘buzz’ – that special something that fills your heart with glee and will make you return without even trying the food.

While some restaurants open to fanfare, Brasserie Chavot will make its mark in a more subtle manner and when the crowds come, the buzz of the brasserie will surely follow and your heart, like your stomach, will beat with joy.

Address: Brasserie Chavot, 41 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2YQ