Thursday 25 February 2010

La Trouvaille - A Great Find in the Heart of Soho

A friend of mine introduced me to La Trouvaille a few months ago and since then, I seem to have wound up here once every two weekends, as if a large magnet lay at the heart of Carnaby Street and I was dressed in metal.
A slice of France in the heart of London there is nothing phoney or twee about this cosy retreat. The staff are all French, the wine list is serious, the food is simple and good with proper French dishes and they do a lot to promote organic wines from the South West regions of France through organised wine tasting evenings which are always very well attended.
I have only eaten in the downstairs wine bar which has a short menu perfect for sharing with friends. Prices are perhaps a little over what you'd normally pay but the food is of a high standard. £10.50 gets you a delicious and abundant assiette de charcuterie and two kinds of fresh baked bread. Or choose from a cheese platter served with truffle honey. The tartiflette, an indulgent oven-baked dish of potato slivers topped with creamy, pungeant reblochon cheese and cubes of bacon is perfect for winter.

The wine list offers plenty of choice by the glass and the staff are knowledgeable about the regions and types of wine and how to pair them.

If you drop your business card in their box at the entrance you're in for a chance to win an evening of wine tasting. However, you can also simply book a spot, although places go very quickly as it is an especially popular event. Hosted on Monday nights, each month will explore a different region or vineyard which specialises in biodynamic, organic wines. You'll learn about organic wine production as well as the characteristics of each tipple.
£15 gets you six wines and canapés.

This is a great place to take a date, or for a wine, cheese and charcuterie sharing with friends. It's perfect for unwinding after a heady shopping session on Oxford or Regent Streets as it is literally around the corner, but quiet and removed from the rush. One to add to your "slow food" London restaurant list.


12A Newburgh Street
London W1
020 7287 8488

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