Bringing an air of classic Parisian bistros into the heart of Kensington, Racine serves some of the finest French cuisine in London.

The Venue
On Brompton Road, where the latest in chichi design, overly priced food, and affluent locals are the standard, Racine stands out as an individual place that has not at all attempted to keep up with the most innovative decor or menu. Instead, once you step inside, you feel as if you’ve stepped into a typical French bistro, complete with dark walls, chic understated lighting and simple white tablecloths to create a sleek, sophisticated look without a hint of excess.

The Atmosphere
The curtain over the front door separates the outside world of busy London from the serenity of the restaurant. In fact, the only area of the Racine experience that is not similar to a crowded French bistro is the peacefulness of the interior. The staff, dressed traditional in black and white, offer impeccable service. The clientele are all smartly dressed, there to enjoy the calm, unassuming ambience.

The Food
Racine is a true labour of love, offering diners traditional French dishes consistently cooked to perfection, smartly presented and served at a very reasonable price. Racine is not suited for those who prefer to avoid calories, richness or indulgence, but it’s ideal for Londoners exhausted by the trendy way of eating, desperately harking back to delicious, hearty food. Starters range from £5.50 to £14.50 and mains from £14.50 to £26.50, which considering the quality of the produce that has gone into the dishes is very good value for money.

The crab is deliciously fresh with a delicate flavour that is balanced by prick of paprika and creamy mayonnaise. The accompanying shot of gazpacho, designed to drink at the end of the dish, hits you with tomato and garlic to add a kick to the light crab taste. For another light option, the salmon salad is a delectable combination of moist chunks of salmon with crisp salad leaves, French beans and a sharp, smooth sauce.

For mains, the filet is a wonderful cut of meat, which is tender and packed full of buttery flavour, with a creamy béarnaise or piquant pepper sauce. If you understand good steak, then this dish will defiantly satisfy you. The lamb chops are cooked pink, allowing the sweet flavour to come through to balance the citrus hints in the sauce. The selection of sides isn’t particularly unusual, but the creamed spinach with foie gras is a divine, rich treat that will add pure indulgence to your meal.

The chocolate pot may be small, but it ends the meal with rich, creamy sweetness of the thick chocolate, served with crème fraiche. For a very French experience, you can order the clafoutis, a eggy sweet dessert with cherries, to be flambéed at your table, which adds a depth of kirsch to the flavour.

The Drink
The wine list is perfect for the connoisseur, with an extensive selection of fine wines by the glass and the bottle, starting at £18. The sommelier is well experienced in choosing wines that bring out the best in your meal, and of course the majority of the wines are French.

The Last Word
For a traditional sophisticated French experience, from the tablecloths to the red wine from Bordeaux, it doesn’t come much more authentic than Racine.

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