An Outstanding French Brasserie [Closed]

That's not a French cuff shirt, you know

Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld episode “The Strike”)

Traditional French brasserie, opulent, lovely chandeliers, and impeccable decor. That's what you will find in Brasserie Chavot. Classic French cuisine with a modern twist by chef Eric Chavot. One Michelin star and 3 AA Rosettes but surprisingly not too busy on Saturday lunchtime.

The Dinning

For starters we got the deep fried soft shell crab with whipped aioli. It was amazing, perfectly cooked, the aioli was spot on, delicate flavours and a perfect execution. The other starter was the crab mayo and avocado, really refreshing, lovely execution, a great start.

Soft Shelf Times

For main we tried the steak tartare, it was really nice, delicate, probably a bit too much going on, too many components but overall a nice dish. And also the Rib eye with béarnaise, this was the highlight of the meal, it was superb, bone marrow as surprise addition, and the garlic and parsley sauce in top of the marrow was perfect. Beef perfectly cooked, great searing, medium rare, the flavour of the ribeye was amazing, no need of the béarnaise or any sauce.

Tartare

Steak Time

Refined place, great service, spectacular food, classics perfectly executed. Probably the best restaurant I have tried in 2014.

Brasserie Chavot

T: 020 7183 6425

French cuisine

Approx Damage: £55pp

Area: Mayfair

Borough: City of Westminster

Twitter: brasseriechavot

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Balthazar [On The Road: NYC]

What can I tell you about Balthazar, traditional French cuisine, bistro style, serving from breakfast to late diner, always packed, especially with tourist but New Yorkers agree that the food is worth the hassle. Opened in 1997 by Keith McNally, a Londoner that moved to NYC, and in charge are chef de cuisine Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson. What else can I add, probably they were semi finalists as 2012 Outstanding Restaurant for the James Beard Foundation awards. 

The place

Busy dinning

Really noise, hectic, rush hour dinning service, queue to get a table and impress with the table turnover, completely mental, you couldn't hear the music with the cloud of noise from the patrons. We got a small table near the bar, some wine, and as starter Saffron risotto, and the steak tartare. Risotto comes with ruby red shrimp, charred leeks, mascarpone, and espelette pepper, pretty good, excellent flavour, nice execution, the tartare again classic, nice, good spicy touch, but the one we got in Momofuku was superior to be honest. 

Tartare

Risotto

Then for mains the crispy Berkshire pork belly, and moules frittes. The pork belly came with creamy grits, ouef meurette, and roasted mushrooms, it was nice, the pork belly perfectly cooked, everything played well together, the poached egg perfectly cooked, drizzle with wine was a nice touch. The moules nicely cooked, fresh, and a big portion. 

Belly

Moules

Overall a really nice meal. 

French reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Strike” 

Jerry: Nice cuff links, by the way 

George: Office Christmas gift. I tell you, this Human Fund is a gold mine! 

Jerry: That's not a French cuff shirt, you know 

George: I know. I cut the button off and poked a hole with a letter opener 

Jerry: Oh, that's classy

Balthazar

T: +1 212 965 1414

French Bistro

Approx Damage: $70pp

Area: Soho

Borough: Manhattan

NYC

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