New French bistro opens in Soho

The latest addition to Soho’s diverse dining scene, Blanchette, is a French bistro serving simple, classic and inventive French food. Run by three brothers Maxime, Yannis and Malik Alary, the quintessentially Parisian restaurant is named after their mother and serves classic French sharing plates with a modern twist. Salt Yard Group co-founder Simon Mullins and Chef Director Ben Tish, good friends of the Alary brothers, are also on board as consultants and stakeholders in the new venture.

The menu showcases creative and innovative adaptations of traditional dishes, including chargrilled beef onglet with snails en persillade, salsify chips and red wine reduction; Ox Cheeks Bourguignon with Ventreche; warm confit of salmon and duck with puy lentils and herbs and prune and Armagnac clafoutis with crème fraiche. Tam Storrar, former senior sous chef at Bibendum, takes the helm as head chef. The extensive wine list includes exquisite wines from all over France, and there is also a selection of organic Normandy ciders on offer.

In the dining room, the design is eclectic yet elegant, with mismatched furniture and artwork, and antiques sourced from Helene Allen of Little Paris. Each piece tells a different story, giving the restaurant the feel of rustic country home grandeur.  Plants, wine bottles, hams, terrines, cheeses and desserts are displayed along the back of the bar, forming a strong visual focus point. Blanchette seats 50-60, including a private dining room seating 14-16.

Music plays a big part at Blanchette, with Malik, founder of sound design company La Music du Faubourg, providing the soundtrack to ensure a buzzing and convivial atmosphere. There will also be occasional live music with small jazz and acoustic musicians playing during Sunday brunch.

9 D’Arblay Street, W1F 8DR
W blanchettesoho.co.uk