Giddy from the excitement of the Chanel pop up, we were in need of some ‘girlfriend sustenance’. To me, there are two very different types of eating establishments: the restaurants where I would eat and dine with Him… and then those girlfriend watering holes with female food.
Champagne+Fromage in Covent Garden
Champagne + Fromage, in Covent Garden, fits the latter perfectly. Both a shop and bistro, it would tempt anyone in heels. Seating just 30, the rustic brasserie, with walls full of champagne sourced from the smallest, independent producers, is currently London’s best kept secret.
Greeted by Flora, our waitress, with a charcuterie board (£8) and a glass of fruity yet mellow Pertois-Moriset Rosé Champagne (£11 per glass), we settled into our evening of French feasting with ease.
Champagne+Meat
And once this had been devoured, we made our cheese selection: Bleu des Boisques, Camembert, Brie, Bleu de Chevre. This second platter was accompanied by a glass of Champagne Waris-Larmandier Cuvee (£10). Then came a La Rochelle salad (salmon gravlax, Langres cheese and cerise tomato £8) which was not only dressed in Champagne but also arrived with a suitably sensational glass of the bubbly stuff too.
If I’m honest, my reviewing became a little blurry at this point. I felt heady, bubbly and a long swim away from Covent Garden.
bubbles, bubbles, bubbles
That was until Flora produced glasses of strawberry gazpacho with Champagne Rosé and mint (£4.95), tasting fresh, sweet and undeniably French.
Trudging home on the tube with the Olympic crowds, I promised myself to return with Him as He really does know more than my girlfriends about Champagne. Anyway, I think he’d find my no-longer degree level French amusing after all those bubbles…
READER OFFER: Champagne+Fromage is generously offering my readers 20% off their bistro food menu. Available from 11am to 4pm on Tuesday to Saturday. Just mention LifeOfYablon on arrival.
Champagne + Fromage, 22 Wellington Street, WC2E
