Chabrot Bistrot owners open new restaurant in Smithfield

Restaurateur Yann Chevris, Michelin-starred chef Thierry Laborde and celebrity florist Pascal Lavorel officially opened the doors to the 40-cover Chabrot Bistrot des Halles yesterday, with the new site taking more of a brasserie theme compared to its highly-lauded sister restaurant.

“It has the same ethos of fresh, simple food and high quality service, but the look and feel is slightly different,” Chevris told BigHospitality. “It’s more cosmopolitan; a bistro/brasserie which is slightly more open because of the architecture.

Bull in a china shop​

With Chabrot Bistrot d’Amis opening to critical acclaim in 2011, Chevris – who was also behind the likes of Nahm, Nobu London and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon – is hoping to repeat the success in Smithfield’s Long Lane.

“Hopefully we will benefit from the reputation of the first site. We can only stay true to our belief which is to serve simple, quality food with a lot of heart. But we don’t want to come into the new area like a bull in a china shop - we understand that we need to first gain the confidence of the locals.”

Chabrot Bistrot des Halles will echo the décor of the original site, featuring dark oak panelling and flooring throughout with scarlet brushed-velvet banquettes and seating. A lobby bar also features in the entrance to the restaurant.

Executive chef Laborde, who will work in the kitchen with Chevris across both restaurants to train staff, has dedicated a large part of the menu to meat – a nod to the heritage of Smithfield Market – with Chabrot Bistrot des Halles offering a specialist charcuterie selection. The restaurant’s kitchen will also feature a charcoal grill.

On the menu​

For the mains, the menu includes sections of ‘Le Boeuf’ and dishes ‘From the Grill’ - the restaurant’s kitchen features a charcoal oven. Highlights include the warm calf’s head with Ravigote sauce and Pyrénées lamb with spices, dry fruits and herb couscous (for two).

A two-course set lunch menu is available for £14.50, while a three-course set dinner is priced at £19.50. A 70-bin wine list will complement the menu, with a selection of eight wines - predominantly French – priced by the glass and 500ml carafe, from £5.50 and £15 respectively.

When asked about the possibility of expanding the Chabrot Bistrot concept further in London, Chevris replied: “We might do. We might look at expanding but I think every restaurant would have to have the personality of its own.

I’ve got the feeling that this is a concept we could expand to up to five restaurants. But because of the nature of the business and the quality we are looking for, I don’t think we can emulate a chain which has 30 or 40 restaurants - that would depend on a lot of high quality people, which are harder to come by.”