I’ve not visited a Cafe Rouge for quite some time although I’m not entirely sure why? I’ve always enjoyed their food in the past but somewhere along the way it dipped from my radar and the delicious dishes that they’ve been preparing since 1989, when it was originally called ‘Cafe Bleu’, have not been enjoyed by us. Last night when I was invited to their Covent Garden restaurant to sample the all new (but with a little bit of the vintage) menu I jumped at the chance to reintroduce myself. Boy, am I glad I did! I’ve been reminiscing about it all day, it’s almost like I’ve been on holiday!

In fact, sitting in Cafe Rouge last night, I DID feel like I was on holiday. The mood was set in an unobtrusive way with soft lighting and an intimate, welcoming decor; It made me feel as if I was in a Parisian eatery tucked away down a quiet street only known to the truly local. Good company and fabulous wine played a part but mainly it was my surroundings, without trying hard at all, which relaxed me into holiday mode entirely. And this was all before the food had even made an appearance.

As we tucked into a platter of pate, cheeses, meats, olives and bread over a glass of very fine champagne we were talked through the menu by Cafe Rouge’s Developmental Chef Duncan McEwan, given the low down on the brand by Brand Director Georgia Hall, told more about why the dishes had been chosen and created for the new menu by MD James Spragg and entertained thoroughly with a performance of information about the wine from Willie Lebus of Bibendum, the wine merchants Cafe Rouge have been working closely with. Willie recommended I try the Pinot Gris which is served by the glass or bottle. It’s worth noting that Cafe Rouge will let you try a cheeky sip before purchasing any of the wines they do by the glass! I ‘tried’ the Pinot Gris A LOT last night and I thoroughly recommend it!

The new menu takes their incredible experience spanning over 25 years and brings back old favourites but giving them Duncan’s modern touches. He started his career at Cafe Rouge and after moving to work with Marco Pierre-White he has returned in this new role as Developmental Chef. He is passionate about this new menu, which he called ‘his baby’ and the taste test proves he certainly isn’t all talk.

We enjoyed so many dishes last night including a Croque Monsieur which you can now enjoy all day whereas on the old menu there was a time it stopped being served. I think this might be why we stopped going in, I started to think of Cafe Rouge as a place for a big meal rather than a light snack when in actual fact it really can be both. Now I know this and have tried their incredible Croque Monsieur sandwich, I will absolutely be popping in for one mid shop when I’m next out for the day with my Mum. I love Croque Monsieur, I first had it in Paris so I’m quite picky about them but this one is certainly one to salute to. I made my version and blogged about it a few months ago thinking it was pretty spot on but this one absolutely throws it out of the ball park!

But moving onto the other meals and they for sure brought out the big guns! I tried snails, apparently they’re making a come back and I have to say that although not entirely my cup of tea I enjoyed the opportunity and the sauce for the Ragout De’Escargots was out of this world. With snails being hailed the new ‘super food’ and so high in protein but low in fat then no wonder we even have a Snail Sommelier for the first time in the UK! I honestly enjoyed ALL of the food but the stand out dish for me has to be the Confit De Canard. The duck just fell off the bone and as for the dauphinoise, well, I didn’t want to share it I can tell you!

So we ate quite a lot didn’t we! And believe it or not there was actually a little bit more too… My companions for the evening included Lucy from Lucy Loves To Eat and Kara from Queen Of The LBD and having read their blog posts this morning (they were quick off the mark), I think they are in agreement, the food from the new menu at Cafe Rouge is delicious. I just need to go again as there are so many more things I want to try, the mussels being top of my list!

It truly felt like French dining in France as opposed to French dining in England, do you know what I mean there? The French languish over lunch, any meal really and breakfast runs into lunch, into supper. It feels like this at Cafe Rouge with the new menu. It’s relaxed and you can have what you want, you don’t just have to eat to British rules. If you want 5 starters and a glass of champagne then do it (actually I love that idea and may do it myself), if you want a quick sandwich then absolutely pop in or if you want a full dining experience then it’s yours for the taking. The only thing they don’t seem to have perfected (yet) is the children’s menu which is fairly uninspiring at the moment. Georgia and James however are on the case with bells on and I just know what comes will be every bit as fabulous as the new grown up menu!

(Just a little FYI: Cafe Rouge’s Executive Chef Duncan McEwan’s classic French dauphinoise recipe is on their website and it’s well worth recreating if you can’t make it into the restaurant for a delicious slice with the Confit De Canard! I liked it so much that I’m going to make it this weekend when my Mum comes to visit. I have made dauphinoise many times before but have never in the past strayed from an old Gordon Ramsay recipe I know and love. I hadn’t found one I liked more until now – I’m afraid it’s bye bye Gordon, you’ve been a good pal but I’ve moved on and yes, it is you… You’re just no Duncan that’s all!

I was invited to try the new menu at Cafe Rouge for the purpose of an honest review.

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