Bar Boulud, London Review

Having had a wonderful experience at Bar Boulud last year we were keen to visit again and sample some different dishes from their menu. Located in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bar Boulud is an upscale brasserie with a huge emphasis on delivering excellent service. The term ‘brasserie’ doesn’t do this restaurant justice, the service rivals any fine dining establishment and the surroundings are rather sumptuous. The food is traditional favourites served to an impeccable standard.

We started our evening with pre-dinner cocktails, I decided on the ‘Strawberry Sling’, mixed with Plymouth Gin, Plymouth Sloe, Lime Juice, and Rose Syrup. It wasn’t shy of alcohol and went down very well. My partner sampled the ‘White Cosmopolitan’, comprising of Snow Queen Vodka, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Lime Juice and White Cranberry. Quite the list of ingredients, but a wonderful blend and super delicious.

“Traditional favourites served to an impeccable standard.”

To begin we ordered Terrine de Foie Gras, a dish prepared with Foie Gras Terrine, Clementine Chutney and Toasted Ginger Bread. This dish was superb and the Clementine Chutney complimented the dish very well, this was paired with a glass of 2012, Marchand Grillot, l’insolite, Vin de France. A wonderful wine, which I do believe can only be found at Bar Boulud, so you will have to visit to sample this for yourself. My partner ordered the Soupe de Potiron, which is a Squash Soup, with Caraway Marshmallow and Pumpkin Seeds. Paired with a glass of 2014, Bourgogne Aligote, Grandmougin, this is a stylish wine with tangy fruit, complete with a lovely coating of flesh and not too much acidity.

For our main course we ordered on the Côte de Boeuf Pour Deux. A 28 day dry aged Black Angus Rib Eye to share, this was served with Peppercorn Sauce and sides of Pommes Lyonnaises and Green Beans. The Rib Eye was outstanding, and cooked to perfection. This course was paired with a glass of Boliky Bull’s Blood, a 2013 wine from Hungary served from an impressive Melchior 18 litre bottle.

We completed our evening with a glass of Astrolabe, Chene Bleu Coteaux du Ventoux. A smooth, velvety wine with a spicy nose and a long finish. A wonderful end to an excellent evening of dining.