18 February 2008

Wined Up

Bord’eaux Restaurant Opens

Lately, the closest you’ve been to France is:
a) a French kiss.
b) French fries.
c) gawking at the Sarkozy newlyweds in Hello!

Now you have Bord’eaux, a new French brasserie opening today on Park Lane.

The large dining area, long bar, outdoor terrace and Le P’tit Cafe (a boulangerie and patisserie) provide the requisite buzz of a trad French resto, with slightly calmer staff.

French chef Ollie Couillaud (formerly at La Trompette, The Square, Chez Bruce and Tom’s Kitchen) serves dishes such as plateau of fruits de mer, duck confit, steak frites, with desserts like Baked Alaska or apple tart. Finalement, sip beaucoup de vin, nibble on Broyes du Poitou (a biscuit from Couillaud’s hometown) and chase with  Hediard coffee.

No, there’s nothing like Paris in the springtime.

But London will do nicely for now.

Bord’eaux, Grosvenor House Hotel, 86-90 Park Lane, W1K 7TN (020 7399 8460 or bord-eaux.com).