Le Boudin Blanc

Reviews for Le Boudin Blanc

• 4

  Le Boudin Blanc

  5 Trebeck Street London W1J 7LT uk
  

  More reviews by Brodule
  Brodule

  17th August 2008

  Comfortable fine dining

  Current

  The restaurant is in a very old, atmospheric building in Shepherds market in the centre Of Mayfair. We were a party of 12 (the miniumum) in a private room for dinner on a Friday. We were greeted very nicely and served fizz so we could mingle & chat before being seated. We had a Mersault and a lesser Burgundy from their list with our meal and both were above average. After we sat and during ordering we were served excellent 'French’ bread that was freshly made, if a little heavy. There was a slight delay in getting the starter to table but thereafter all flowed in a timely manner and our waitress was attentive throughout. I had Beef Carpaccio followed by pan roasted Chicken. The starter portions were too large in my opinion & others. They were however good eating all agreed, though I found my beef a little bland. The follow on dish had moments of above average flavouring and was correctly cooked. Thanks to stuffing myself with the bread & starter I wilted a little, but finished most of my dish. The vegetarian risotto alternative was good & flavourful, though after a few mouthfulls you realised it was over salted, and again too generous and so did not get finished by those who chose it. I chose the Tart Tatin to finish, and though flavourful it was a little too caramelised and the icecream accompanyment was much needed. The cost was £65 a head. I would go again if in the area and it was appropriate, but there is huge competition closeby!

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• 2

  Le Boudin Blanc

  5 Trebeck Street London W1J 7LT uk
  

  More reviews by StephenGrayston
  StephenGrayston

  21st July 2008

  Current

  Enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, although typicallly, you cannot park anywhere in that area.

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• 5

  Le Boudin Blanc

  5 Trebeck Street London W1J 7LT uk
  

  More reviews by VictoriaR
  VictoriaR

  2nd March 2008

  fantastique

  Current

  I can only echo the previous lovestruck reviews - this is a gorgeous gem of a restaurant, in one of those hidden corners of Mayfair that make you feel as if you've stumbled back into a more romantic era of London altogether. Food and service are deliciously French; my steak was perfectly rare, and the frites were divine. It's quite a crowded room, but that only adds to the buzzy atmosphere. Highly recommended.

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• 5

  Le Boudin Blanc

  5 Trebeck Street London W1J 7LT uk
  

  More reviews by geeyeah
  geeyeah

  2nd January 2008

  Never coq au vin up! Perfect and true!

  Current

  In London, the majority of French falls in either the category of: insipid tasting carby stuff from schlock bistros who disregard seasonality as much as Dina Lohan’s terracotta tan, or; the sometimes (or sometimes not) excellent abstractions of haute French cuisine by the hyper-chefs that are served at prices as lofty as their conception (literally reaching for the (Michelin) stars!). This shameful asymmetry of quality/value really gets to me, especially when you just want some steak and fries done in the same way they made it for you in that little place you and your significant other dined in some picturesque Parisian quarter back in March ‘06. What breaks this mould in London is the un-radical, conservative Le Boudin Blanc, which ideally rests on some point in the upper-central, slightly to the right in an imagined chart of London French food. Physically located in a genteel little enclave of Shepherd’s market between Curzon St and Piccadilly, Le Boudin Blanc is quintessentially French in appearance where woods are treated to look old, floors and walls chemically distressed, and quality virgin-white cloth is soflty blended under the low light of stalagmite candles.
  
  I have been to LBB, I think at time of posting this review, four times. It is always very, very good in terms of food and service and they have not messed up a single thing, be it an order or a corked bottle of wine, once! The biggest testament to the kind of attitude, or rather lack of, which inhabits this restaurant which I can think of was the occasion when a co-diner asked for her meat to be cooked further and the request was completed in literally under five minutes with a gracious apology from our presentable waitress who’s visible goal was to improve our experience. The menu changes throughout the year and comprises of both classic hits and more uncommon seasonal numbers (the menu is published on their website - go see for yourself). It is very difficult to recommend any particular item on the a la carte menu when they are all extremely good (actually, dover meuniere might be the best thing on the menu?!) but my only piece of advice to potential diners is DO partake in a desert (the crème brulee… *thud*), or live a life in regret. Ambience gets a 10.
  
  "Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative" said Oscar Wilde, but, thankfully, someone very imaginatively came up with a consistent restaurant: the subject of my review.
  
  note: Sister restaurant La Bouchee is just as good.
  

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• 5

  Le Boudin Blanc

  5 Trebeck Street London W1J 7LT uk
  

  More reviews by herrylaw
  herrylaw

  25th June 2007

  The Boudin Blanc Never Faileth

  Current

  I can't remember when I first came here, but it remains unfailingly good, despite being in alleyway frequented by tourists who have probably read twenty-year old guidebooks and expect to find more than wonderful food in this stretch of Shepherd Market. A recent visit was for a classic dozen fines de Claire and a superb asparagus risotto washed down by a most delicious Sauvignon. Despite the threatening rain, the staff managed the outside tables with aplomb and quick-wittedness. This place runs on buerre blanc!

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• 5

  Le Boudin Blanc

  5 Trebeck Street London W1J 7LT uk
  

  More reviews by Browners
  Browners

  6th June 2007

  Fabulous French Food

  Current

  This fantastic french restaurant is certainly one that deserves to be on any foodie's hit list!
  
  Situated in the the heart of Mayfair at Shepherd's Market, Le Boudin Blanc seemed to tick all the right boxes. Since this was a birthday treat for Browny, I was after a restaurant that was going to provide exquisite french food at a reasonable price, but in a relaxed and unpretentious environment. Le Boudin Blanc ( translated as the white sausage) didn't let us down.
  
  After a long day in the office, we had a well earned gin and tonic soaking the evening sun in the market square. The place was buzzing with people who hard the same idea as us which created a lovely relaxed but vibrant atmosphere.
  
  The restaurant itself is located up a narrow side street leading off the square. As we approached the venue I knew it was going to be a great evening. Sitting outside, diners were busy tucking into an array of exciting dishes, while others were happy merely watching the world go by with a delicious glass wine.
  
  The divine smell of traditional french cuisine welcomed us inside and a charming waitress took us to our table. Despite it being pretty cosy, it wasn't intrusive; the lighting , setting with the subtle hum of conservation and laughter created a delightful ambiance.
  
  The wine is always Browny's department... it was delicious.. he will enlighten you what it was.
  
  As usual, I could have eaten everything on the menu and we needed a good 15 minutes to have any hope of drawing any conclusions! For starter I had classic fish soup with rouiie, croutons and Parmesan. The silkiness of the soup coupled with the intense depth of flavour made for a winning start. Or so I thought, until I tried a mouthful of Browny's fabulous crab ravioli. We both agreed this was one of the best starters we had ever had. The ratio of crab:pasta was 75:25... simply perfection.
  
  'You can't go too far wrong ordering a rare fillet steak in a place like this.' These were Browny's infamous words as he tucked into his main course. And rare it was... a mild shade of blue would have been a better description; but it was superb. The knife had very little work to do as it glided through the faultless piece of meat. The side dishes of chips, peas with mint, cream and bacon plus spinach complimented the meal extremely well.
  
  Having suffered a minor case of food envy during my first course, I was delighted with my rump of lamb. It was beautiful. Resting on a slab of aubergine, with celeriac mash, the rump was succulent, juicy, tender and oh so scrumpcious. I savoured everylast mouthful; I was sad to see it go.
  
  Despite examining the delicious pudding menu we decided to call it a day there and finished with a coffee and petit four.
  
  What a brilliant evening. Le Boudin Blanc oozes style, romance, class and supreme cooking.
  
  A hidden gem that must be found.

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• 5

  Le Boudin Blanc

  5 Trebeck Street London W1J 7LT uk
  

  More reviews by Mez
  Mez

  8th November 2006

  How to save yourself a Eurostar ticket

  Current

  There are many jewels in Shepherd's Market, but this upper market French bistro/restaurant has got to be one of its highest scorers. I discovered it today for the first time and instantly fell in love with it (and needless to say, with its rather good looking French waiters).
  
  First thing that strikes you is the staff. Mostly all French/francophone young, friendly and welcoming (doesn't sound very French I know but there lies the surprise ;o). Then as you are led into the small corridor and around the corner to the left, you enter a middle-sized room packed full of an effervescent crowd (most probably attributable to the endless bottles of fine wine sprinkled like dust on the tables). There's a lot of noise in this place, but the kind of noise that makes you want to sit down and unusually indulge in a conversation about the merits of the French - or at least their culinary wizardry. I felt instantly transported into the heart of Paris.
  
  The decoration was spot on wooden floors and tables, candle lighting and tasteful paintings created a convivial and cosy atmosphere. The perfect spot for a fine evening of romance.
  
  Now why did I leave the food til last I don't know.. if all the above wasn't enough, it was one of the highlights of the evening. I had a souris d'agneau or something along these lines, and the lamb (not mouse) was truly heavenly. Literally melted in the mouth. And for once, I was actually full after just one dish (which I almost never am), to the point that I didn't even get tempted by the hot chocolate fondant (which I would usually order at the start).
  
  Now in terms of logistics: I discovered this place walking by. We got a table after half an hour (which we used to explore the quirky old English De grape' pub next door). I strongly suggest you book a table in advance as you probably won't be as lucky, esp. on weekends. Oh and dress up nicely if you like that sort of thing as everyone seemed to make an effort (although I walked in with my shabby jeans and was just fine).
  
  Finally, prices: average dish around the 17 mark, and with wine on top, it won't be a cheap eat. It's well worth it though. Go there for a special occasion if you need an excuse, you both deserve it.
  
  I left this beautiful place with the sweet crescendo chorus of trs bientt mademoiselle', my heart and stomach full of wonderful tastes and memories. Ahhhhhh... I really think it's love that I'm feeling (or one too many glasses of wine)..
  
  
  (nearest tube: green park station - 4 mnts walk)

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