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From left, Romain Anquetil, commis waiter, Karine Rodier,
head receptionist and Gaelle Poirson, chef de rang |
Brasserie
lives up to its claim
BRASSERIE Roux is situated hidden in the corner of
Pall Mall and Waterloo Place, housed in the impressive building
now occupied by the Sofitel Hotel.
I suggest you enter through the main entrance of the hotel
on Waterloo Place so that you can enjoy the wonderful arrangements
of fresh flowers in its lobby.
Turn right and you will see the side entrance to the brasserie.
I recommend table 27 if there are two or three of you or you
could even squeeze four around it as this is a table that affords
the best outlook of the whole restaurant.
Three huge upside down lamp shades hanging from the ceiling
look medium size in this elongated large room. The exhibition
kitchen is next to the reception desk which is positioned near
the Pall Mall entrance through elegant dark wood carved doors.
The tables are heavily lacquered with special acrylic treatment
and seem to withstand anything placed on them. Therefore no
mats or tablecloths are necessary. A square dish with condiments
and a tiny candle complete the table settings.
Poultry pictures and ornamental sculptures are everywhere.
From beginning to end the service was remarkably good. Everyone
was professional and helpful. Brasserie Roux claim to be a “home
away from home” as the “genuine true French brasserie”
in London.
We chose from the dishes of the day and à la carte menu.
The soup a cream of lentils and spicy sausage at £6 was
delicious. The watercress and endive salad with fresh pear and
Gorgonzola was excellent both in presentation and taste (£7.50).
To follow we ordered the Pot au feu a l’ancienne, “sauce
Albert” (£14.50) and since this is a classic brasserie
dish it was meant to test Roux’s claim of a “true
brasserie”. They passed with flying colours. It was simply
superb. The canette rotie served with an olive sauce, sautéed
potatoes and baby Brussels sprouts was very good although it
was pink despite our request for it to be well done.
Sometimes the floor staff assume that if the meat is “baked”
it will be well done as opposed to “grilled” when
the customer can choose how it should be done.
My friend, a wine expert, introduced me to Viognter 2004 (£25)
— this grape provides a crisp dry delicious wine.
The cheese at £8 consisted of an assortment of several
thin slices served with bread and a bunch of dark grapes. We
shared the cheese and had a glass each of Valmoissine (£7).
Brasserie Roux offer a Special Sunday menu for lunch or dinner
at 24.50. On Sunday March 12 it will be from the Bourgogne region
and on March 19 from Savoie and Dauphine.
The price includes a three-course menu and two glasses of selected
wine.
Our bill came to £102.04 inclusive of 12.5 per cent service
but the credit card receipt had not been closed.
Brasserie Roux
Sofitel,
6 Waterloo Place SW1
Tel: 020 7968 2900 |
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