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Richoux in Mayfair |
Building your own brekkie
I HAVE always been sceptical about chains of restaurants and until now I have associated Richoux with a tea room. How wrong I was. It is ideal for breakfast, coffee or tea breaks, lunch and dinner. They have chosen well the locations of all four branches which open seven days per week from 9am until 9pm. I visited all four to check their quality and service.
They all share a similar ambience and menu but are different in decor. Banquettes, comfortable chairs – some in green leather or velvet, others in burgundy or beige. Granite square tables. Chandeliers – crystal or with lampshades, sideboards with antique silver tea sets, beautiful Chinese tea containers and display cabinets with the most delicious cakes with fun names such as Opera Tradition (chocolate with coffee mousse), Ministry of C (black and white chocolate and Octobre (vanilla and cassis) priced at £ 2.95 (take away) or £3.95.
Richoux started in 1909 as a patisserie and confectioner and through the years developed into the restaurants they are today. ‘Customers may order what they like when they like it’ is their motto. Wonderfully convenient.
I had breakfast in St John’s Wood; lunch in Mayfair; their old fashioned afternoon tea in Piccadilly; and dinner in Knightsbridge. (All on different days, of course). I was impressed by their high standards in the quality of the food and friendly service.
Their traditional English Breakfast (£10.25) consisted of a freshly squeezed orange juice, two fried eggs, back bacon rashers, Cumberland sausage, grilled mushrooms and tomato, toast or croissant with butter and two preserves. The mug of filter coffee was £2.25.
They offer an interesting variation: “Build your own breakfast” with several items individually priced which makes a lot of sense. Different types of coffees and teas plus a good selection of cereal, fruit and pastries.
The St John’s Wood branch has an upper floor with a glass enclosure which lends itself beautifully for private parties.
I had kedgeree (£8.50) – baked rice with haddock, salmon and mushrooms topped with a soft egg; a tomato and basil salad (£3.25) which had and excellent dressing with basil paste not just the leaves – and a glass of Colombard Chardonnay (£4.95) for lunch.
For tea, I chose the afternoon finger sandwiches (smoked salmon, cucumber and chicken, £6.25) and the Elderflower sparkling presse (£2.80) instead of tea.
Finally, a light dinner in Knightsbridge where the shepherd’s pie made with minced lamb (£10.95) accompanied by a variety of vegetables was excellent. I started with garlic mushrooms (£4.95) and had a glass of Merlot Cabernet at £ 4.95.
The food and drink is collected from the kitchen downstairs so the staff run up and down many times. Great way to keep fit.
RICHOUX
41 South Audley Street, Mayfair, W1
020 7629 5228
172 Piccadilly, W1
020 7493 2204
86 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW3
020 7584 8300
3 Circus Road, St John’s Wood, NW8
020 75483 4001 |
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