So today’s the day restaurants can open up inside again. It’s been so lovely to be able to go out but with it being a somewhat chilly (and rather rainy lately) spring to deal with it hasn’t been the most comfortable eating experience. Except in Covent Garden’s Henrietta Street where the whole set up has been fabulous. Pedestrianised streets lined with heaters and tables protected by wind screens and covered with enormous parasols keep drawing me back like a magnet.
Today I headed for Frenchie which Chef Greg Marchand describes as a modern French brasserie, the London outpost of his revered Paris restaurant. The lovely menu offers a creative selection of seasonal dishes for sharing. Still loving the sharing!
To start with this beautifully silken, perfectly salty smoked cod roe tarama. It was served with sublime buttery buttermilk flatbread topped with fresh herbs. Gosh, something so simple that tastes so spectacular. My kind of food.
Next up a rich little bowl of Ely Valley’s lamb ragu pappardelle with kalamata olives and confit lemon, topped with creamy grated parmesan.
Smoked sea bream carpaccio with a vibrant green chives sabayon and strawberries and jalapeño on the side. Chives sabayon where have you been all my life? The perfect partner for the freshest of sea bream and juicy strawberries adding a touch of sweetness.
It’s asparagus time. I can’t help myself from ordering asparagus at this time of year. I even bought some in my local farmers market over the weekend. It’s just so fresh and beautifully flavoursome. This is British green asparagus with smoked egg yolk, parmesan foam and puffed buckwheat – spring heaven on a plate.
As we slowly come out of Covidland (we hope), I keep reflecting on how some things have changed for the better. And eating in Henrietta Street is definitely one of them. Here’s hoping we can keep some of these positive changes. And keep heading back to Covent Garden with hopes for a lovely al fresco (and Covid free) summer.
Today’s price point
These four dishes came to £55 and were plenty for lunch for two.
White wine starts from £32 a bottle, red from £33 a bottle and rose from £38.
Frenchie is at 16 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden WC2
