Birthday Treat At Bob Bob Ricard

This year, to break from tradition we celebrated my mums birthday in London. Usually we do BBQ's back home, but this year dad and I decided to surprise her with a trip to a nice restaurant in London. Knowing my mum, and how much she loves Champagne - it had to be Bob Bob Ricard.



We had a table booked from 7pm, so rocked up just in time having started the celebrations already at Aqua, Argyll Street. We were seated straight away, and the first thing that caught our eye was the 'Press For Champagne' button. Has there ever been such an effective marketing tool? Seriously, you press the button and your table number lights up above the bar. Simple, and highly effective. 

So, no sooner were we in, we were toasting the occasion and casting our eye over the decor. English and Russian opulence is the theme here, and it works. 

The staff were really helpful and uber friendly (as you would expect) and our waitress totally complimented the occasion, helping answer our questions and indecision when it came time to order food. The menu at Bob Bob Ricard is simple food done really really well, so it hits the mark beautifully.

We ordered, Chicken, Mushroom and Champagne pie, (a far cry from the trusty M&S slice), which came with a crust so light and thin, it resembled the top of a creme brûlée; Panfried Seabass with Seared Scallop (yes there was only one scallop but it was big and delicious), and the Beef Onglet, cooked medium rare. We also ordered a range of sides; French Fries, Truffled Mashed Potatoes and Carrots and Parsnips. 













Now I don't say this lightly, but this is one of the best meals I have ever had. The steak was so smooth it melted like butter and tantalised more senses on my tongue than I realised I had, the pie for my dad was perfect, filling but not bloating or over powering and the seabass and scallop were heavenly and soft to the taste. The big winner from the sides was the truffled mashed potatoes too, having not had this before we were all blown away and I think it's changed my thoughts on mashed potato all together - when you go truffled, you won't look back! 

After the deliciousness of dinner, we were presented with the dessert menu, and after professing that he was full enough to not have dessert, dad promptly ordered the BBR Signature Chocolate Glory, mum decided she'd share it, and I opted for the Strawberry and Cream Souffle. 

Now these guys are serious about desserts, I don't have words to describe how special the BBR Signature Chocolate Glory was other than out of this world - feast your eyes on this...

And the Strawberries and Cream souflee, so light and tasty - it was just divine, with its own pot of strawberry pouring cream which they poured straight in.



The waitress had also over-heard it was my mums birthday, so she brought over a surprise Passion Fruit Cheesecake, the expression on my mums face shows how special she felt and how it just topped off the evening perfectly. 

It really was a memorable birthday, and although it's not cheap, it was a restaurant that turned a dining experience into a memory that will last a lifetime, how good the food, the experience and the company was - couldn't wish for anything more. Happy birthday mum!