I’d previously lunched at Bibendum in January 2018 (here) and spent £88 on the food. Yesterday, I returned with my wife for the £85 ‘Market Menu’, which proved to be excellent value – especially when you consider how restaurant prices have had to change post-Brexit and all the other ‘goings-on’.
The meal started with perfectly piping-hot gougères, followed by the signature ‘Bibendum egg’ in a Michelin-themed egg cup.
This was accompanied by some delicious bread and butter, which was replenished throughout the meal.
Our starter: Curried cuttlefish with sweetcorn, served under more cuttlefish.
My wife’s main was a rich, autumnal mushroom and hazelnut agnolotti.
I had partridge, served with confit leg, cauliflower, potatoes and a dressed salad.
To finish we had chocolate tarts.
Optional cheese course (£25).
Coffee (Jamaican Blue Mountain, £12) and petit fours (which we took home).
All in all, a delightful little lunch.
What Michelin say: Bibendum sits on the first floor of the historic art deco building which was built as Michelin’s London HQ in 1911; its handsome interior cannot fail to impress, with the iconic stained glass windows allowing light to flood in – a fact best appreciated at lunch. Claude Bosi’s cooking shows a man proud of his French heritage and confident of his abilities. His dishes are poised and well-balanced with bold, assured flavours and some creative combinations. If you spot a soufflé on the menu, get excited, particularly if it’s of the chocolate variety.
