Frenchie, one of Paris’ most trendy modern restaurants, has landed in London which is big news indeed. London is a fitting choice for the new outpost – chef Gregory Marchand picked up the nickname ‘Frenchie’ from Jamie Oliver, working at his Fifteen restaurant and the name has stuck ever since. Opening in Covent Garden, this Frenchie is a bit smarter than its Parisian counterpart, with sleek marble surfaces, leather booths and lots of polished brass. The food is modern and beautifully presented, but this isn’t a style over substance kind of place – it has fur coat and silky red knickers to match.
We kicked off with freshly baked sweet maple scones, given a nice salty hit from bacon bits. From there we had a beautiful duck foe gras with rhubarb and smoked eel, and then braised pig head, with smoked bramley apple, jerusalem artichoke, and buckwheat. Everything is designed for sharing but dishes come in different sizes, from the bigger selection we rated the fresh pasta with a lamb ragu, and a very tender and flavoursome salt crust Kintoa pork which was almost certainly dish of the night. Save room for the awesome banoffee dessert too…But don’t balk at the bill, this is fine French dining in plushy surrounds and you pay for the pleasure (remember that’s 30 day aged chicken).
Welcome (back) to London, Frenchie.
16 Henrietta St, Covent Garden WC2E 8QH
www.frenchiecoventgarden.com