The reimagined Richoux finds a new home on Regent Street.
A century after its original opening, Richoux has unveiled a new flagship restaurant tucked away at the corner of the busy and beloved Regent Street. Situated in a superb spot for some respite from the bustling streets of central London, Richoux brings a sense of calm paired with world-class dining.
Inspired by the golden age of Parisian dining, Richoux was founded in 1909 as a patisserie and confectioner in London. The debut Edwardian shop opened on Baker Street; however, it later reopened as the Richoux Tea Room near Portman Square. The 1970s saw the brand expand into the group we see today, which is quickly becoming an international household name.
Richoux’s interior reflects its desired ambience – cool, calm and collected. The restaurant’s sleek style and neutral-toned palette are showcased through its leather upholstery and dark wood, both aesthetically pleasing and perfectly suited to the restaurant’s brand. This spot is perfect for a business lunch or a catch-up meal with friends, with tables in the corners for subtle discussions or larger ones for sharing several dishes with a big group. The soundtrack to our lunch was authentically French music, providing lilting melodies and dulcet tones.
The staff at Richoux were friendly, warm and hospitable, serving us with attentive smiles and brimming with recommendations. At the heart of Richoux is its dedication to its heritage, now rebranded as an all-day restaurant and patisserie, serving French cuisine at all hours. Notably, the menu is welcomingly familiar, featuring French classics such as Beef Tartare, Steak Frites, Lobster Thermidor and more.
We started our meal with the Garlic and Gruyère Flatbread—a fluffy dough topped with a fresh, zesty lemon pesto. A gorgeous start to the meal. The bread was followed by a light and refreshing Endive Salad with Roquefort cheese and candied walnuts, and some Escargots de Bourgogne. The dish was full of flavour from the confit garlic-parsley butter and topped with a puff pastry crown surprise. We couldn’t leave without trying a traditional French Onion Soup. The soup was rich and full of flavour from the onions and Gruyère, with a thick texture and not overwhelmed by the cheese—the perfect opener to the meal.
Our mains featured French classics, starting with the Beef Bourguignon, coated in a flavourful, warming sauce that wasn’t too heavy. Although the meat proved slightly chewier than expected, the dish remained ideal for an autumn lunch. The chef paired it with the creamiest pomme purée I’ve ever tasted. Meanwhile, it had me reaching for more, even though I felt rather full. Next came the Ratatouille – Provençale style – topped with a piquant gremolata. The vegetables cooked beautifully, melting in the mouth and bathed in an aromatic tomato sauce.
Desserts were the star of the show, and we ordered from the trolley. The waiter presented the Chocolate Mousse in all its glory. We indulged in a huge slab on a silver platter, sprinkled with salted caramel and hazelnuts for a crunchy twist. Thick rather than creamy, the mousse delivered a well-balanced chocolate flavour – neither too sweet nor too bitter. The contrast between the sweet and salty flavours complemented the dish perfectly, creating a delectable end to the meal.
Joining the mousse was the Ispahan Macaron – a rose and almond meringue with vanilla cream, raspberry and lychee. The cream was light and moreish, and the rose flavour perfectly balanced. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the one for you. Both desserts come in generous portions, perfect for sharing.
Cocktails and a glass of wine came highly recommended by the Maître D’. We ordered a French 75 and a glass of Château de la Roche Sauvignon Blanc Touraine. Both drinks complemented the meal perfectly – light, refreshing and dangerously easy to drink.
Richoux has cemented its place as an excellent restaurant for a classy, all-round enjoyable lunch in the city, dinner with friends, or a catch-up spot with colleagues. Owing to its excellent service and delectable food, Richoux is the place to be.
GO: Visit www.richoux.co.uk for more information.