Boulestin has been open since September 2013, but those of you with long memories and a love of fine food will know that this is not the first restaurant with the Boulestin name. The original restaurant was opened in 1927 by French connoisseur and bon viveur, X. Marcel Boulestin. It was located in Covent Garden, and it remained there until 1994. M. Boulestin is reputed to be the world’s first TV chef (on the BBC 1937 – 1939) and was a larger than life character with immense food knowledge and a reputation for good taste. And there was something about his approach to food that greatly appealed to restaurateur, Joel Kissin. Joel had spent many years working with Sir Terence Conran and was responsible for launching world-renowned restaurants such as Bibendum, Quaglino’s and Le Pont de la Tour. He also opened Guastavino’s in New York, before becoming captivated by M. Boulestin and returning to London to find a site in which he could revive Boulestin’s food ethos. The new Boulestin is not intended to be a copy of the original 1927 restaurant, it is more a re-imagining based on Boulestin’s books. Once the right location was found, in a historic setting close to St James’s Palace, Joel set about making his vision a reality. He scoured M. Boulestin’s original cookery books for inspiration, and recruited a top team to recreate the authentic French classics that, as one food critic summed up, “is the nostalgia of French food that you remember.” But there is more than just these classics – and not just from France. We also have Pan-fried Turbot, Clam & Dill Whey Broth, and Pan-fried Venison, Coffee Crusted with Roasted Brussel Sprouts.
Polecany
