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This feminine, romantic and luxurious all-day-dining brasserie celebrates all things, French. From the interior design to the food, drinks and service, Bon Vivant lives up to its name and highlights the finer things in life offering a real and tasty slice of Paris.
This fun and chic Parisian-style brasserie located in the heart of Bloomsbury on the picturesque Marchmont Street only a 3-minute walk from Russell Square tube station is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There are two separate intimate dining areas on each side of the bar both boasting a lively lunch crowd. Tables can easily be configured for two, four and six people and one of the areas has cosy booths.
The atmosphere is casual and upbeat when I visit the French restaurant for a mid-week lunch.The stylish and chic French decor is a reflection of the owner herself. The classy and comfortable velvet sofas and chairs in different shades of blue add a glamorous and luxurious art-deco feel matching the soft pink walls which are decorated with black and white feminine wall art. The atmosphere is lively and fun with upbeat modern music in the background. Coming straight from the cold weather outside I’m pleasantly surprised to find that the restaurant is comfortably heated.
The service is great with a no-fuss, no mucking about attitude. You ask for a mocktail, you get a mocktail within seconds! The food is flying out fast and arrives hot just like when dining in Paris!
The menu is divided into Petits Plats for starters and celebrates classic French dishes such Quiche du Jour, Salad de Chèvre and Tartines. There is also a slightly more healthy alternative, the Superfood Salad (V).
For the main course, guests can choose from seven Grand Plats including salmon or truffle pasta, the classic Faux Fillet de Boeuf Frites and even a Dirty Burger for those looking for a naughty lunch. There are no vegetarian options on the menu, but several fish options.
The wine list is almost exclusively French apart from a few Spanish, Italian and Chilean red, rose and white wines served by glass and bottles. The champagne Veuve Cliquot is casually tucked under ‘bubbles’ on the menu.
I have the signature B.V mocktail which is fresh and sweet made from peach, lime, lemon juice and orange juice, vanilla syrup, fresh mint and ginger beer.
I start off with the Tartine (open sandwich) with goats cheese, ratatouille and candied walnuts. The bread comes out toasted covered with ratatouille and melted Chèvre cheese and the vegetables and cheese work well together. The tasty grilled toastie is served with a side salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette.
For main I decide to go for fish and I finally settle for the Fillet De Daurade, seared sea bream fillet served with ratatouille, crushed potatoes and olives. The fish comes in two pieces and has crisp skin and is cooked nicely. The ratatouille is similar to the one served on the Tartine (very nice) and the crushed potatoes with the olives give the dish a Mediterranean flavour. It’s a fresh and light dish and comes in a perfect serving size.
For someone like myself who likes my coffee black and strong, I ask for a double Americano which turns out to be one of the best coffees I’ve had in a long time – it keeps me going all afternoon!
Looking around the busy brasserie there is a mixed lunch crowd and everyone seems to be equally excited and happy about their meals and drinks. A lady next to me struggles to finish her main meal and one of the waiters is kindly preparing a doggy-bag for her.
Bon Vivant is the perfect place for a lunch date or a fancy lunch with colleagues or friends. The service is quick, friendly and on point, the food is great and the decor stylish and fun making the dining experience smooth, enjoyable and unforgettable.
BON VIVANT
75-77 Marchmont Street, London WC1N 1AP
For bookings: 020 7713 6111 info@bonvivantrestaurant.co.uk
