BOB BOB RICARD, LONDON
WHY GO?
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend and let’s face it, the liquid form of diamonds and gold is champagne. Et voilà, Bob Bob Ricard’s pièce de résistance is its “press for champagne” button. So irresistible that we pressed it four times and the novelty never wore off. Having been closed because of coronavirus, the Russian-inspired, modern British restaurant is back open and those signature buttons are gagging to be touched.
WHY DO WE LOVE IT?
It’s the most indulgent and golden place for a celebration of any kind. From walking in the door and being shown to your booth, you immediately feel special and the staff (shout out to the brilliant Bernardo) make you feel right at home. The Soho venue’s elegance takes inspiration from the Orient Express and the Golden Age of Travel, offering some incredible Instagrammable opportunities to make all your friends envious and frothing at the mouths from home while you dine like kings and queens. It’s also the restaurant that boasts pouring more champagne than any other in the whole of the UK!
WHAT TO EAT?
There were two of us dining, one a consistent carnivore, the other a picky pescetarian, and the food had us feeling satisfied just by Googling the menu days beforehand. We started as we meant to go on with -18ºc degree vodka shots followed by two glasses of Moët as chasers – the perfect accompaniment to the Jersey Rock oysters. Starters were the showstopping steak tartare for the gentleman and salmon tartare (below left) for the lady. You know the food is sublime when no one is speaking and, boy, did we savour every bite. On to the main, we had the pleasure of tucking into the chateaubriand for one and the pan roasted market cod for the other, both amazing. For dessert, it would have been terribly rude if we didn’t devour the rich signature chocolate glory (above right) while also scoffing the mouth-watering flaming crème brûlée. And finally, like true Russians, the night ended with more fizz and button pressing, accompanied by another round of vodka shots, this time, Limonnaya flavoured, that’s lemon to you and me.
WHO GOES?
Global popstar Taylor Swift has been papped coming out of BBR with her London boy actor Joe Alwyn. They were there to celebrate his 29th birthday and joined by none other than pals Ed Sheeran and his wife Cherry Seaborn back in February. If it’s plush enough for Tay and Ed, trust us, it certainly won’t disappoint.