A Paris restaurant frequented by celebrities and politicians including Brad Pitt and Vladimir Putin has crossed the English Channel for the first time, opening a second version of its popular brasserie in London with a long list of wines by the glass.
Les 110 de Taillevent, the wine bar and restaurant launched in 2012 by the family behind Paris Michelin two-star Le Taillevent, opened its foreign branch in London’s Cavendish Square this week.
Specialising in food and wine pairing, the bar will offer at least 110 wines by the glass at any given time at its 76-seat brasserie.
Thierry Gardinier, part of the family that owns Taillevent and also Chateau Phelan Segur in Bordeaux, told Decanter.com recently that he was forced to pitch against several other prospective bars and restaurants to secure the site – such is the competition for space in London.
Pierre Bérot, Paris-based wine director, said that the London menu would resemble in spirit that of its French counterpart, but incorporate local, seasonal ingredients. Each dish features four suggested wines of different styles, countries and price bands from under £8 to well above £20.
‘The format gives guests a chance to enjoy wine they might not otherwise have a chance to try, regardless of their budget.’
For example, a plate of vols-au-vent might be paired with 125ml pours of:
- Domaine Rijckaert Côtes du Jura ‘Les Sarres’ for £7;
- Cantina Vietti Barbera d’Alba ‘Trévigne’ 2010 for £9;
- Felton Road Central Otago ‘Cornish Point’ 2013 at £19;
- Domaine Roumier Chambolle Musigny ‘Les Cras’ 2005 for £46.
The brasserie will also serve breakfast pairings and small plates at itssix-seat bar.
The team, which includes general manager Giuseppe Dewilde; chef sommelier Eva Dieudonné and chef de cuisine Robert Panek, is a deliberate combination of nationalities. All three worked at some point for London’s Bleeding Heart group.
The majority of wines will be dispensed from the Provintech preservation system, while about 40 rarer, more costly choices will be poured using Coravin.
Maggie Rosen is the UK consultant for Coravin but was not involved in any transaction related to Les 110 de Taillevent.
(Editing by Chris Mercer)
