I’d been seeing that infamous ‘Press For Champagne’ button in my instagram feed for months before i finally gave into my curiosity and googled where on earth it was! Bob Bob Ricard in London – a luxury restaurant in Soho that wouldn’t look a miss in The Great Gatsby is a popular haunt for foodies in the city. With it’s all-booth club room (and of course bottomless champagne buttons) it’s the perfect spot for a special occasion meal – Joe and I popped in for dinner on my birthday so we could see what all the fuss was about!
The menu at Bob Bob Ricard is English and Russian which makes for some interesting dishes that excited the foodie in me right away. We were seated in The Club Room downstairs (you’ll need to contact them before your visit to ensure a booth here) which felt like a secret members club and really added to our experience. With luxurious red and gold fixtures, curtains separating each table and crystal cut glassware, we felt like we’d been transported back to the 1920’s and Leo DiCaprio might pop out at any moment (he didn’t, which was a shame).
Press For Champagne
Our waiter was so efficient he arrived to take our order before I even had a chance to press ‘the button’, but he very kindly turned away so i could do the honours and get the full Bob Bob experience! Joe fancied red with his main so we didn’t order a bottle – although being my birthday i don’t think i could have been chastised for drinking the whole thing to myself! Instead we started with two glasses of Ayla Brut (£13.50 per glass) and went from there, which also gave me the chance to push our button a couple more times throughout the evening! I’m not ashamed to say that since our visit i’ve looked up how easy it would be to install one of these buttons in my kitchen…or bedroom. Joe, get your tool box out!
As quirky as the Press For Champagne Buttons are, we were there to eat, and we certainly weren’t disappointed. I started with the Wafer Thin Beetroot and Goat’s Cheese Salad (£10.50) which was beautifully presented and served with Broadbeans and Mint. The goat’s cheese was whipped up into a mousse-like texture and the balance between the flavours was absolutely perfect. I’m a big goat’s cheese fan and often order it on salad when i’m out but this dish really does put any others i’ve had to shame – the perfect starter for me.
Joe went for the Crab Salad with Chili Avocado Mayonnaise (£12.50) which was so fresh tasting, the perfect light and summery starter. He’s not usually a shellfish fan but as i was only offered a tiny forkful and there was nothing left on the plate i think it’s safe to say he might have been won over! Two excellent starters that left our mouths watering for the mains.
I was torn between a number of dishes on the menu for my main which is always a good sign, but in the end i went for Baked Sole with Champagne Sauce (£27.50) stuffed with Lobster on a bed of Spinach. I don’t tend to order fish a lot these days but i just fancied this dish when i spotted it and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The champagne sauce was creamy without being too rich and my fish was cooked perfectly. I often get a little bored with cream based dishes halfway through but there was no chance of that here, I loved every mouthful and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this dish to anyone.
After being a little more adventurous with his starter, Joe went right back to his comfort zone for the mains with the Fillet Mignon Rossini (£29.50) – 28 day aged Scotch Beef with seared Fois Gras and Confit Apple served with Truffle Gravy. This was absolutely divine with all the flavours melting together on your fork to create the perfect mouthful of food. Fois Gras is always a controversial one so you are more than welcome to ask for your plate without it however it really made the dish for me and went with the beef so well. We also ordered a side of Creamy Mash (£4.95) to share which was perfect for both our dishes and just rounded out the main course nicely. On the wine front Joe chose a glass of Argentinian Malbec (£9.50) which complimented his dish wonderfully without drowning out some of the more the delicate flavours, while I got to work on our button again and ordered another glass of Ayala Brut!
Dessert time and again we were both torn between a number of dishes. In the end i chose the Chocolate Fondant (£8.50) served with Milk Ice Cream, Chocolate and Almond Brandy Snap and Creme Anglaise. Oh my goodness was this good. Gooey ooozy chocolate fondant with a deliciously simple milk ice cream and that mint creme anglais? Absolute heaven. Just the right amount of sweet and a little bitterness from the chocolate, I may put myself out on the limb to say this was one of the best desserts i’ve ever had. Bravo Bob, bravo.
I was feeling pretty smug with my dessert until the waiter brought out Joe’s choice – The Bob Bob Ricard Signature Glory (£12.50) – a Chocolate Jivara Mousse, with Chocolate Brownie, Berries and Passionfruit and Orange Jelly. Served in an edible gold ball that melted away when our waiter doused it in molten dark chocolate; It was a real showstopper, and it tasted incredible. With deep dark chocolate and sharp fruity bits this desert was right up Joe’s street and mine and went down a treat with his glass of Taylors Vintage Port (£9.50). After dessert our waiter brought over two complimentary glasses of champagne along with a little semifreddo dessert (complete with sparkler!) for my birthday – it was a lovely touch and really made my evening. We finished off with a couple of Cappuccinos (£5.50) before heading back upstairs to collect the coats and hop into our Uber cab.
Our bill came to £178, and just over £200 with the discretionary 12.5% service charge which we were more than happy to pay. It’s not cheap, certainly a special occasion restaurant for us and what a very special occasion it was. We loved everything about Bob Bob Ricard from the moment we walked in – the decor, the service, the food – and it’s very clear to see why it’s such a popular destination for foodies looking for an evening of luxury dining, ingenious buttons and all.
Have you been to Bob Bob Ricard? What was your favourite dish?
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xax