PROLOGUE I have form with Burgundy. I’ve been here before, the last visit almost 14 years ago, at the time of my 40th birthday. That particular trip was with a man who turned out not to be The One. It seems no time at all since that memorable birthday lunch at L’Espérance, back in 2002. […]
Tag Archives: French
May
28
Six Portland Road. It’s the real thing.
posted by Nicky Richmond
Foreword: I’ve been told by an eminent QC that I’m losing my touch and am being too nice in my reviews. “I like the ones where you hate it”, he says, “far more entertaining”. I cited in my defence a number of my less than glowing reviews but to no avail. Whilst he was only half […]
May
02
A Jewel in The Crown at Burchetts Green.
posted by Nicky Richmond
At the weekends I am often to be found in south Oxfordshire, supposedly relaxing and cooking wholesome food from scratch, hoping to justify my ever-expanding collection of cookbooks. My inner restaurant addict is having none of that.
January
01
Les 110 de Taillevent. Bank on it.
posted by Nicky Richmond
An accomplished brasserie with sophisticated food, mainly classics, executed to a high standard for the price point.
February
07
Pied à Terre. Fitzrovia fine dining for fans of finesse.
posted by Nicky Richmond
We’d booked to go to Atelier de Joel Robuchon as a birthday treat for J, son of C. I ask whether J, whose taste in food tends towards the adventurous, might not prefer something a little more down with the kids but I am told that I do not know what I am talking about. As it […]
November
08
Maison Troigros Part I : The Hotel
posted by Nicky Richmond
I had wanted to stay in one of the Grand-Design-like futuristic pods at Les Cadoles, part of the Troigros empire, not half an hour away from the restaurant. But after the Fishermen’s Huts in Whitstable I was pushing my luck. We didn’t notice the large dent on the car door, nor the big scrape, or rather C […]
September
25
Le Gavroche. Gorgeousness.
posted by Nicky Richmond
I’ve got history with Le Gavroche. Not only the setting for my first grown-up lunch as a newly-qualified lawyer it has also been a concluding dinner to a rather torrid but doomed romance; a poignant post-wedding dinner, with my late father (who had soufflé for starter and dessert), a slightly disappointing meal out with C […]
August
11
Waterside Inn, Bray. A stately galleon on the Thames.
posted by Nicky Richmond
I’m not sure if you’re allowed to eat here under the age of 50. Other than Oslo Court, it’s the most oldie-friendly place I’ve been to in some time. I’d tried a number of times to get a reservation and it was only by actually turning up in person that I managed to get in […]
July
20
N.A.C. Qu’est-ce que c’est?
posted by Nicky Richmond
I kept getting the name wrong, before I worked out that it stood for North Audley Cantine. Not canteen, nor cantina, just cantine. It’s French. I’d been here when it opened and we were the only people eating. Then it was all sharing plates and I remember it being a little confusing; they just seemed […]
March
29
Otto’s. OTT. In a good way.
posted by Nicky Richmond
They had me at the Kir. Regular readers will know that Kir is my aperitif of choice. On the menu, Kirs Royale, Vin blanc, Impériale and Pêche. With these Kirs you are spoiling me. I would never have tried this, had I not read the glowing reviews. And as I walked through the nondescript door, […]
The Food Judge 