Pretend you’re in a Parisian café and not tourist hell
You get Parisian vibes as soon as you get in the door at Richoux (a refreshed version of the Mayfair restaurant, relocated to Regent Street), thanks to its brasserie interiors, charming staff and patisserie trolley. We went for dinner but it’s an all-day spot, so it works for any occasion, and the menu is varied with classic dishes and enough twists to keep you coming back.
Eat This
Honestly, the real winners here are the starters and the desserts. French onion soup is a classic in any Parisian brasserie but it really is a must-try here. Rich but not too much, it’s worth the very garlicky breath afterwards. Don’t skip the warm bread and salted butter either – you can share it but you’ll want to keep some back to mop up every last bit of your soup.
The tuna tartare was a last-minute decision but the zingy ginger dressing, avocado and fresh fish made for a great counterpoint to the other heartier dishes.
When it comes to dessert, you can’t really go wrong. The light lemon tart complete with sweet crème fraiche and dried raspberries makes for a light ending to a meal, but if you’ve kept enough room (there’s always a second belly for pud anyway), you’ve got to have the profiteroles. The waiters cover the soft, light choux in an avalanche of melted chocolate (we’re drooling just remembering it), what’s not to like about that?
Drink This
At Richoux, they do proper French-style hot chocolate complete with a rich, thick texture and Chantilly cream. It’s a necessity on a cold night and winter’s drawing in so it just makes sense.
Why Go
Can’t make it over to France? Head for Richoux instead. The staff are welcoming, the food has flair and if you’re there long enough you’ll forget you’re in London.
Key Information
Address | 14-15 Langham Pl, London W1B 2QS
For more information | richoux.co.uk
