Last night was date night. Once a month, the boy and I try and discover a new place we’ve got on our list of ‘places we want to visit’ – and this time I had chosen somewhere right opposite my work for a handy Tuesday night post-work dinner.
Working in the bustle of Soho and it’s maze of cute foodie delights, it’s tricky to stand out but one little restaurant has managed to make it’s mark by offering simple delicious French bistro food. The slight quirk is that it serves the food as a sharing concept, so like a PIX or a Salt Yard, it’s a perfect place to go with a group and you can all order a few small plates each.
Paris is one of our favourite places in the world and I’d been told this was ‘Paris in Soho’ – so for me, I was excited. Greeted by this gorgeous little place I wasn’t disappointed (official press shot officially below).
The decor is what instagram was made for….
After revelling in the casual French country-house style and getting my fill of instagramming all in sight, I sat down with a carafe of red wine and some bread (which comes in a cute brown paper bag), waiting for the boy to arrive and studied the menu with more concentration than watching an episode of Game of Thrones. There is a lot of choice and it’s ALL delicious so go hungry or expect to be indecisive…
We plumped for ordering some of the ‘snack’ menu first, which consisted of Croque Monsieur (with just the right amount of mustardy tang to make it suitably french), some Duck Rillette (to die for), some gooey Camembert and some Corsican ham (smokey and moorish).
Next up we plumped for the ‘main’ of Ox Cheek Bourgignon each, which comes in a delightful mini Le Creuset pot perfect for one, filled with an insanely rich red wine sauce that goes perfectly with the softness of the oxcheek which literally melts in your mouth. As accompaniment to this little pot of delight, I plumped for the Frites et Bernaise and the boy went for an absolutely delicious Green Bean Salad drizzled with shallots and walnuts (a recipe we’ll definitely be trying to recreate at home as would be a lovely side to a steak).
I couldn’t recommend this place enough actually. It’s not expensive but it’s not cheap either – the small snacks come in between £2.75 – £4 each and then the mains range between £6.50 for a marinated chicken or some salmon to £8 for the Ox Cheek dish. Once you total it all up it does add up but the tastiness is worth it. The 500ml carafe of wine is the perfect size for two people for a good couple of glasses each, rather than a whole bottle.
It’s a new place that’s only been open since the New Year so expect to hear more about it – but if you want to get in there first, see the website for more details or follow them on Twitter (where if you tweet them when you want to eat they can book you in that way! Oh so modern…).
Blanchette is definitely a new notch on Soho’s bedpost of lovely little foodie delights – perfect for lunch with friends or clients, a date night with your loved one or a big group birthday or celebrations. The music is also worth a mention, playing a fantastic mix of French electro, Senegalese reggae and classics by Gainsbourg. C’est parfait.
Bon Appetit!
LMNH x
One to book on our next trip over LMNH, thanks for sharing, looks delightful. xx
I work in Soho too and have walked past this place so many times! You had me at Camembert…I will add it to the list I also have with my boyfriend! haha x