Brasserie Blanc recently redesigned and relaunched their flagship on the Southbank (Southblanc?) and Tasting Britain got an invite down to see what interior design agency Blacksheep had done with the place (answer: emphasis on the casual dining element, the addition of a cocktail bar up-front, a toned down colour palette… what the hell is modern anymore in a ‘postmodern world’?).
The Brasserie Blanc chain of restaurants are (I believe) chef Raymond Blanc’s first foray into chain dining and when it comes to food and atmosphere, emphasis is on the generally beloved classically French/Parisian (which means yes, there are escargots).
As this is the man behind the likes of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, it’s not exactly exactly a chain in the sense of say, McDonalds or Starbucks – buuuuuut, prices are pretty reasonable compared with some of Raymond other ventures, and, based on the relatively small selection of canapés I have managed to try the food ain’t so bad either!
There are 7 such restaurants in London (last time I checked) and others all over the UK in spots such as Leeds. This one on the South Bank is located right by Waterloo Bridge and station – presumably making it popular with the culture vultures, tourists and explorers enjoying Westminster, Waterloo and Southbank. One thing also worth mentioning is that they have their own bubbly too – Blanc de Blancs (see what they did there?).
It’s rather sweet and goes down easier than some of the Brut things the French are so keen on producing. Dat residual sugar. So far, so good – we would like to come back here for a proper review at some point!
The Details
9 Belvedere Road
Soutbank
London
SE1 8YP
020 7202 8470
http://brasserieblanc.com/restaurants/southbank/