Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell | cheriecity.co.uk

Bistro du Vin Soho Launch Party

July 2, 2011 by cheriecity

The opening of Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell by Hotel du Vin was an epic foodie feast so I anticipated that the launch of Bistro du Vin Soho would be replace The Box as the place to be that evening.

Luckily, I arrived right at the opening time and managed to check the place out, take some pictures and get a head start on my appetiser before the hungry press and guests arrived en masse.

We were greeted at the door by two buff Calvin Klein models wearing beach shorts and not much else. Hey, it’s Soho and it’s summer – no further explanation needed!

The main dining area at Bistro du Vin Soho was set up like a gourmet market, where we could help ourselves all of the locally-sourced delights.

I started with a plate of charcuterie, brie and comte with quince jelly (my new fave combination). Bistro du Vin Soho have collaborated with Cave à Fromage, based in South Kensington and for the launch night, they brought a tower of cheese macarons. The combination of sugary meringue and smooth cheese is unique and quite unusual.

The seafood towers, packed with chilled lobster, shrimp, crab and poached salmon were impressive indeed!

The real highlight was the kitchen counter laden with wooden slabs of lamb chops, grilled steak, prawn skewers, boudin blanc, goats cheese souffle and asparagus wrapped in parma ham with parmigiano reggiano.

The Donald Russell steak at Bistro du Vin really is exceptional and its perfectly charred taste comes from being cooked in the Josper grill.

I learned from my last encounter at Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell and left plenty of room for dessert. We shared a dessert platter of mini plum tart, Turkish Delight, a coffee macaron, a chocolate brownie bar and lots of delicious, fresh strawberries. My absolute favourite dessert was the choux buns with pink glitter icing, filled with vanilla bean creme patisserie. Cloud-like, creamy and ultra girly – I could happily munch on these every day for the rest of my life!

Bistro du Vin Soho has quite a different atmosphere to its Clerkenwell sister and the brightly-coloured private dining area made me think of a quirky Soho hotel and makes it more than just a bistro. It feels like an all-day destination, rather than just an evening dining spot and I can’t wait to spend a few hours there, without battling the crowds to protect my beloved choux buns!

If you’re tempted by the foodie extravaganza at Bistro du Vin Soho, enter Cherie City’s 2nd birthday giveaway! One lucky reader will WIN a 3 course lunch at Bistro du Vin Soho and an overnight stay with breakfast at Malmaison London.

2nd Birthday Giveaway, Competitions, Hotels, Hotels - Design, London, Restaurants

WIN Lunch At Bistro du Vin Soho & One Night Stay At Malmaison London

June 30, 2011 by cheriecity

Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell has quickly become an established part of the Clerkenwell dining scene and now Soho gets its very own Bistro du Vin on Dean Street.

Bistro du Vin focuses on simple modern British dishes using locally-sourced ingredients and the new Soho restaurant features a delicatessen-style Cave à Fromage, showcasing over 70 varieties of cheese. Chérie City is a big fan of the Bistro du Vin burger and steaks, so prepare for a grilled meat feast (although there are some real treats for veggies too)

Tucked away on the cobbled Charterhouse Square, next to the historic Smithfield Market, Malmaison London is a stylish boutique hotel packed with character (its former incarnation was an asylum)!

Malmaison London is close to picturesque Clerkenwell and the Barbican and a short distance from the shops and museums in central London.

To celebrate Chérie City’s second birthday, one lucky reader will win a 3 course lunch at the brand new Bistro du Vin Soho and an overnight stay with breakfast at Malmaison London.

HOW TO ENTER:

Follow Chérie City on Google Friend Connect or Facebook and leave a comment in the box below (not on Facebook), sharing your favourite type of wine.

The winner will be selected at random and the competition will close at midnight on 31st July 2011.

Terms & Conditions:

– Closing date: 31st July 2011 at midnight.
– Entrants must become (or already be) a follower of Chérie City on Google Friend Connect or Facebook, otherwise entry will be void.
– Entrants must be 18 or over.
– Entry is limited to one per household.
– The winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries received by the closing date.
– Prize consists lunch for two at the new Bistro du Vin Soho – 3 courses including coffee and a bottle of house wine – to be taken before 31st October 2011. Bed and breakfast at Malmaison London, subject to availability, to be taken before 31st October 2011.
– All additional charges incurred will be met by the competition winner.
– Prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.
– Travel costs are not included.
– The winner must claim the prize within 48 hours of contact, or a new winner will be selected.

London, Restaurants

Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell Via The London Malmaison

March 10, 2011 by cheriecity

As a Northerner, I can’t help feeling a bit smug when my hometown has something that London doesn’t, but that’s all about to change with Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell arriving in London’s ‘gastro quarter’ St John Street.

The first offering from Hotel du Vin in London, the bistro will focus on classic dishes made using homegrown and local ingredients, with meat sourced from the nearby Smithfield meat market.

I was invited to an intimate dinner at The Brasserie at The London Mal (Hotel du Vin’s sister hotel group) just around the corner on Charterhouse Square, to sample some of the delights that will feature on the Bistro du Vin menu.

I started with Ibérico Ham (obviously Spanish but locally sold) with mixed leaves and a balsamic reduction. It was delicious and a light start to the meal and the chef gladly made it for me without beetroot.

For the main course, I was tempted by the selection of massive steaks (it was the end of London Fashion Week after all), but I just had to try the famous Mal Burger.

A topic we discussed over dinner was “what is it with bloggers and their burgers?” You can imagine which camp I belong to and the Mal Burger didn’t disappoint – in fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s one of the best in London.

Firstly, it’s so huge that it needs to be stuck together with a wooden stick and attacked with a steak knife. The well-seasoned burger came with top quality bacon, local cheese, tomato relish and salad garnish.

It also came with a mini copper saucepan of tomato relish and a cone stuffed with matchstick fries – the kind that you find in Paris bistros.

The Mal Burger was indeed a monster, but somehow I found room for the most indulgent, dense Valrhona Chocolate Pavé.

The portion size was once again huge, like a giant slab of velvety chocolate heaven, topped with a curl of mascarpone cream and crushed pistachios.

After such an outstanding meal at The London Mal, I have high expectations for Bistro du Vin.

At Bistro du Vin you can expect shop windows featuring live butchery and Hotel du Vin’s signature wine tasting table, a pewter-topped bar for a more casual evening and a summer dining terrace.

Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell opens on St John Street in April. For more info and booking, visit: www.hotelduvin.com and www.malmaison.com

Chérie City was a guest of Malmaison London.