economy
‘A long lunch is what we’re good at’: London bistro above a pub wins UK restaurant of the year
Bouchon Racine is old school, for lovers of traditional French cooking and boozy afternoons – it even aims to stop taking bookings online
TL;DR
- Bouchon Racine, a restaurant in Farringdon, London, was awarded UK restaurant of the year.
- The owners are aiming to switch to phone-only bookings to create a more organic customer interaction.
- The restaurant is reviving the concept of long, leisurely lunches, which have become increasingly popular.
- The menu features traditional French dishes, with daily changes based on available produce, but staples like steak frites and crème caramel remain.
- Harris has implemented house rules, such as banning outside birthday cakes, to maintain the dining experience.
- Owners highlight the challenges of rising costs and inflation impacting restaurant profits.
- The impact of Brexit on food sourcing and potential customs delays is noted as a difficulty.