French Influences at Brasserie Abode

It is a sad fact, especially when French cuisine is considered to be some of the best in the world and it isn’t wrong of us to want something a little more than a soggy croque monsieur from Café Rouge.

Luckily for us, there is a hidden treasure trove of French dishes just waiting for you to discover at Brasserie Abode on Piccadilly. The entire menu is a marriage of Anglo-French dishes, with British classics like fish & chips, black pudding balls with piccalilli and sticky toffee pudding.

And for the French? On the starters, you will find a delicate crab bisque and a heart-warming bowl of the provincial French onion soup complete with a crispy, cheesy crouton floating on top.

You will also find steak tartare- a French delicacy made from cubed raw steak with black pepper, mustard and a raw egg. This one is not for the squeamish or faint-hearted, but I can guarantee that it is a dish you need to cross off your bucket list- just do not blame me if it sets your vampiric cravings ablaze.

Although they aren’t strictly French and are also enjoyed here in the UK as well, you can tuck into a platter of ½ dozen oysters with some traditional shallot vinaigrette. Brasserie Abode also offers an incredible steaming bowl of Moules Mariniere cooked with cream, garlic and white wine and paired with some frites.

The ever change plat de jour also include some delicious, provincial French dishes like beef bourguignon, confit of duck and my all time favourite Coq au vin. This dish is a stunning, slow-cooked chicken casserole cooked with a heavy bodied red wine, bacon, onions and mushrooms. I make a pretty mean one, it has to be said, but the Brasserie Abode Coq au Vin has to be the best I’ve had this side of Bordeaux.

Desserts include a Crème brûlée which couldn’t be more French if it tried and complete with that crispy sugary top. They also serve a chocolat liégeois which is a delectable combination of chocolate ice cream, ganache and whipped cream. It is basically a proper posh ice cream sundae with a French title to make it sound sexier…which is somehow is.