Blandford Comptoir: All the Wine

When you’re awarded the Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year award and become the youngest Master Sommelier in the world then it’s safe to say that you know a thing or two about wine. Well that happened to Xavier Rousset, you might recognise his name as he set up wine bar 28-50 and now he is opening Blandford Comptoir on Blandford Street.

The 40 cover restaurant will be the place for any discerning wine connoisseur or anyone who just likes to drink wine (that’s us then) as there’ll be over 250 wines, 50 different Champagnes and a selection of cocktails. More unusual grapes from South West France and Campania will be joined by classic varieties and keeping things in the community you’ll be able to make suggestions for the ever evolving wine list.  

On Saturday Xavier will be hosting free wine tastings, yes you did read that correctly – free. You’ll be able to taste 12-14 different wines and then choose your two favourite reds and whites which will be added to the restaurant’s wine list for a month.   

To eat there’ll be a mixture of large plates and smaller plates to share – think carpaccio of fassone beef with 36 month old parmesan; Sicilian red prawns and duck breast with tortellini of leg and figs. If you want to share one between two then go for the fassone cote boeuf with confit new season garlic and red wine jus and they’ll be serving Sunday lunch every week.

250 different wines to try… that’s every Friday for the rest of the year sorted. 

Blandford Comptoir: Opens 1st June 2016, 1 Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1u 3DA, www.blandford-comptoir.co.uk