The Spitafields Market-based restaurant, overseen by general manager Fred Ollier, has streamlined many of its dishes and lowered the prices of its a la carte menu. It has also introduced a new range of lunchtime specials, priced at under £10.
“We wanted to get more customers through the doors and create an environment where people can visit more often,” Ollier explained to BigHospitality. “Before we were not appealing to a broad enough market.
“Previously we rightly or wrongly tailored our offerings towards the City-based, business clientele. But we’ve really turned the business around; it’s almost like a rebranding.
“Since the menu change earlier this year, business has near enough exploded and customers have been leaving some really great feedback – those that used to come in once a week are now coming in two or three times a week.”
New menu and head chef
While Le Bouchon Breton still offers classics such as moules marinières, cuisses de grenouille and les escargots de Bourgogne, it has scrapped more premium offerings such as foie gras. Starters – which used to be priced at around £11 – now start at £3.95.
The 160-cover site, which first opened its doors back in October 2008, has also recently appointed head chef Christophe Dittrich, who formerly ran kitchens for Chez Gerard Group at a number of sites and has also had stints at Le Boudin Blanc and The Butlers Wharf Quality Chop House.
The restaurant is the brainchild of restaurateur and ex money broker Ian Stoppani. Le Bouchon Breton is the second site to be opened under the Le Bouchon brand, with sister site Le Bouchon Bordelais based in Clapham.