About Time You Tried: London’s Best Cheese SoufflésBy Angelica Malin
Who doesn’t love a cheese soufflé? For me, they are pure love. In fact, cheese, generally, is basically the best food in the world. This week, we’ve teamed up with Collier’s Cheese for a whole week dedicated to cheese goodness – follow them on Twitter here and like them on Facebook here. Now, let’s talk soufflé – here’s where to find the London’s tastiest ones:
1. For a Fancy Cheese Soufflé: Le Gavroche
Order: Soufflé Suissesse – cheese souffle cooked on double cream
Why: Because cheese is love, and cheese and cream is extra love. The food at Le Gavroche is spot – try this cheese souffle as part of their tasting menu, it’s a real highlight.
The Lowdown: Le Gavroche was the first UK restaurant to be awarded one, two and three Michelin stars. The chef de cuisine is Michel Roux Jr, who took over the reins from his father, Albert in 1991. The fact that Le Gavroche continues to maintain the highest of reputations amongst both diners and critics is testament to the excellence of the food being prepared by Michel. Come here for the grilled fillet of Scottish beef with wild mushrooms, red wine and shallot sauce – it’s sensational.
Where: 43 Upper Brook St, London W1K 7QR
Photo by Issy Croker
2. For a Strong Cheese Soufflé: Bob Bob Ricard
Order: Stinking Bishop cheese souffle
Why: Stinking Bishop is a full fat, strong cheese that is seriously for cheese lovers – but goes perfectly in this unctuous, decant souffle.
The Lowdown: Bob Bob Ricard, the iconic Soho restaurant, serves a luxury English and Russian menu to its eclectic clientele in London’s most glamorous all-booth dining room. Equipped with a ‘press for champagne’ button, the restaurant is famous for pouring more champagne than any other restaurant in the UK. Come here for grilled oysters, seabass ceviche, amazing fish pie and, of course, an iconic Sunday roast.
Where: 1 Upper James St, London W1F 9DF
3. For a Goat’s Cheese Souffle: Blue Boar
Order: Twice baked goat’s cheese souffle with spiced tomato chutney
Why: Because goat’s cheese is clearly the best cheese ever, and this souffle is bang on – just the right touch of sweetness from the chutney, and a lovely light, airy texture.
The Lowdown: Blue Boar offers contemporary British dining in the heart of Westminster. Head Chef Michael Riordan combines fresh, regional ingredients to deliver a mouth-watering menu that celebrates the very best of what each British season brings. Farm sourced succulent meats and freshly caught seafood from the Devon and Cornwall coastline feature on a menu that is as perfect for a light lunch as it is for a decadent dinner.
Where: 45 Tothill St, London SW1H 9LQ
4. For a Serious Souffle: Brasserie Blanc
Order: Cheese souffle with a mature cheddar sauce
Why: It’s strong, punchy, but we love it. This cheese souffle is a guaranteed winner, because who doesn’t love a cheddar sauce, eh?
The Lowdown: Every brasserie feels authentic and welcoming, where you can savour all the various moments of the day, from that first essential coffee of the day, enjoyed with the morning papers, to delicious fresh breakfasts or that mid-morning coffee and pastry. Gather some friends for a leisurely lunch or pop in for their seasonal, two course set menu complete with a specially priced glass of wine . Many of their restaurants have great little bars where you can stave off the hunger until dinner with a glass of wine and a plate of appetisers.
Where: Locations here
5. For an Vintage Soufflé: Savoro
Order: Aged Comte extra cheese soufflé, served with French onion soup and pickled green tomatoes
Why: If you like mature cheese, this one is for you. And the addition is French onion soup is just the perfect combination – great for a cold winter’s day.
The Lowdown: Head chef at Savoro, Andi Andersen, has one motto and that is: simple execution of good technique. Everything here is freshly prepared in house from the unique flavours of our homemade breads, speciality sourdoughs, which they bake fresh for both lunch and dinner. The a la carte menu changes seasonally while the grill menu offers some of the freshest fish in London. Desserts are prepared in house and you can enjoy some old school favourites such as Peach Melba, or a wonderful Wild Strawberry soufflé. Sunday lunch is a time when families get together and what better place than Savoro: a slow roasted beef with all the trimmings, great puddings and lovely atmosphere.
Where: 206 High St, Barnet EN5 5SZ
