Brasserie Blanc Southbank has reopened with a spiffy new look. I liked what I saw (and tasted) during my recent snoop.
Revered Chef Raymond Blanc’s growing group of French restaurants has been mentioned with a nom-nom-nod of approval on this blog before – just not by me. An invitation to admire the refurb and the menu at Blanc’s Southbank brasserie rectified that matter and resulted in a lovely night out in a stylish setting.
I don’t known what the place looked like pre-renovations, but it’s certainly pleasant now. There’s a nice terrace at the front for outdoor seating and a smart and cozy bar just inside the entrance. I was comfortable sitting throughout my meal and felt lighting, space between tables and all that had hit a Goldilocks balance.
Now onto the food!
The menu read like a greatest hits of brasserie fare. So I went with it, sticking with a best of selection or my entrée and my plat. It would be an understatement to say I enjoyed every garlicky bite of my escargot starter served with sliced baguette for sopping up any remaining garlic herb butter (£7.40). And my main course of Steak Tartare “Maison” (“house special” free range Cornish beef with egg yolk, cornichons, capers, shallots, herbs, spices and sourdough, £19.90) with a green salad sidekick (£3.10) did meaty justice to this classic dish – and more than satiated my carnal cravings.
Delighted to share my dinner with Kemey, I was similarly impressed with her choice of dishes as well. Her starter of Maman Blanc’s Salad (an assortment of salads featuring cherry tomato; celeriac remoulade; dressed grated carrot; cucumber and dill with crème fraîche; pickled vegetables; and potato and crème fraîche, £6.90) was pretty in presentation and a good mix of fresh flavours. Her plentiful pot of moules frites (Shetland Isles mussels with marinières and a side of French fries, £13.90) brought a moment of profound silence to our table. By the way, those frites (£3.10 for a side order) were freakin’ awesome – among the tastiest I’ve had in London.
Desserts delivered for both of us. I cherished the chance to try the new pistachio soufflé with chocolate ice cream (£6.50). Kemey went with an off-menu special, ile flottante with rhubarb. It was a treat to be sure – we wondered if the rhubarb was a bit over powering and took away from the otherwise perfectly lovely dish.
A glass of house recommended Pinot Noir paired nicely with my starter and main. Service was prompt, helpful and courteous.
Brasserie Blanc Southbank is located at 9 Belvedere Road, SE1 8YL. There are six other Brasserie Blanc outlets throughout London and a dozen or so more across the UK. Find out more at brasserieblanc.com.
