Blandford Comptoir

Like many French people living in London all I dream about when it comes to good food is simplicity, authenticity and charcuterie! After a few years working with French wines in London, I've come to appreciate the diversity of restaurants and styles of cuisine the European capital can offer.

 

 

When we heard that Xavier Rousset opened Blandford Comptoir, a new restaurant in Marylebone, we thought that it was definitely worth a try. After the success of 28-50 and Texture, Blandford Comptoir had to be the new wine and food restaurant to go to in this part of town.

Jason Yapp and I headed there for lunch and experienced this already well-reviewed bistro. And we weren't disappointed at all… Starting with courgette flowers stuffed with goat cheese, your palate will experience texture, taste and pure pleasure. Jorge, the new head sommelier there, wisely recommended a delicious Roter Veltiner from Austria. With a great structure, acidity and minerality, this unsual wine found its perfect match with the subtlety of the courgette and goat cheese. If you're just epicurean as we are, you could order their unrivalled charcuterie platter to share, with a special mention for their bresaola, probably the best cold cuts I've had in ages!

 

 

We decided to go our own way for the mains with on one hand the scallops and on the other the quail and its truffle boudins. The presentation was superb, the cuisson ideal and both plates showcased simple and fine food. We picked the Felton Road Pinot Noir 2010 from Central Ontago, New Zealand. Showing ripe juicy red fruits and soft tannins on the palate, it is a very pleasurable and food friendly wine that we enjoyed sipping along with the food.

 

 

Finally, we could not resist ending our lunch with a magnificent 6-cheeses platter from France and Italy along with a glass of Blaufrankish. A special mention to their Italian 61 cheese aged in sweet wine with cranberries, it reminded me of my childhood in the Beaujolais, eating Fromage Fort (a spirit macerated fresh cheese) during harvest time.

 

 

If you're hunting for a new place to go and have authentic fine food in central London, don't look further and head to Blandford Comptoir. Delicious food, innovative wine list and friendly atmosphere.