Friends for over a decade, industry professionals, operations director Yann Chevris, Michelin starred chef Thierry Laborde, wine expert Philippe Messy and celebrity florist Pascal Lavorel have fulfilled a longstanding dream by opening a ‘bistro du coin’ tucked away in a narrow street in Knightsbridge Green.
Chabrot, an intimate 65 cover restaurant across two floors, is reminiscent of a classic French bistro in design, offering a menu of dishes from across Southern France. Chabrot is in fact a traditional Dordogne/Charente ritual which became increasingly popular during the food shortages in the 2nd world war. Wine is poured into the dregs of a soup bowl for a final mouthful
Chef Thierry Laborde trained at the world famous Ecole Les Rocailles in Biarritz and worked at L’Oranger, Le Gavroche and Le Louis XV with Alain Ducasse has re-introduced his much loved signature dish ‘Poulet farcis au foie gras’.
Thierry’s menu comprises of a series of simple hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, including white wine marinated mackerel, white grapes and croutons, or fried baby squid with piments d’espelette. Bone marrow, or duck liver warm pâté with comté cheese popovers.
Main courses include grilled spicy black pudding with cooked apple and large prawns a la plancha. Cabbage stuffed with veal, chestnut foie gras and ceps. Main courses recommended to share: A whole leg of milk fed lamb white beans and fresh piquillos or whole roasted foie gras with raisins. In addition there is a volaille du jour which will vary from chicken stuffed with foie gras to poule au pot or coq au vin,
The set lunch menu or ‘ Formule Bistro” can be easily devoured in under an hour, comprising of a choice of either a meal only, (£12.50) a meal with a glass of wine, (£15.50) or a meal with a glass of wine and a coffee gourmand (classic French coffee accompanied by a mini dessert) (£17.50) Classic French desserts and cheese are priced from £5.00.
By combining his culinary expertise and well sourced produce, Thierry hopes to create high quality yet unpretentious, accessible Southern French cuisine.
Yann Chevris, responsible for setting up Nahm, Nobu London and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon amongst many other successful London restaurants runs the floor. The wine list starting at £19.50 for a bottle, and by the glass at £4.90 has been created by Phillipe Messy. Phillipe’s extensive wine selection showcases a Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2006 and a Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Les St Georges Liger Belair 04.
The interiors feature the signature lighting found in most traditional bistro’s, classic striped table linen and monochromatic photography depicting scenes of rural France.