Terroirs

I went to Terroirs a couple of weeks ago on a Monday evening and it was packed upstairs and downstairs.

I have eaten here a number of times and I would strongly advise making a booking if you want to get a table (or even have a drink at the bar)

This place, for me, is all about the wine list, a truly magnificent tome that leads you round France on a magical journey of discovery with a focus on 'natural' wines - these interesting, and often challenging drops of vinous delight are an absolute pleasure. You do, however, have to approach them with an open mind, they are often cloudy, a few of the whites are dark orange in colour and smell like strong scrumpy cider.

We started with a Zibibbo Integer from Marco di Bartoli, beautiful floral nose and an intense pure mineral palate (grown on the volcanic slopes of an island called Pantelleria near Sicily)

This was followed by a bottle of the Thierry Puzelat Pinot Noir, this was a mid coloured, cloudy, wild red with a nose redolent of a Dorset farmyard, in the mouth though it was an absolute joy, wild strawberries and sour cherry fruit (they serve it lightly chilled, which is a must)

I really should mention the food - charcuterie is delicious, the duck rillette sublime, juicy langoustines, I even tried a bit of very fresh, delicate eel (very adventurous for me).

I shall be returning time and again for more of the same
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SmorsH
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 05, 2009

A recent visit to Le Manoir de Raynaudes, in the South West of France, has re-ignited my love for French cuisine and all things French. I have since then signed up to French language classes and am devouring Julia Child’s memoirs “My Life in France”. The best part of this “francophonisation” process was finding Terroirs, a French bar and restaurant opened in Central London about a year ago.

Having been to Terroirs before, I normally try and sit at their zinc bar to watch the chefs at action and for a more relaxed dinner. The menu is short but offers an excellent spread of fish, shellfish, duck, cheese and charcuterie. This is a place to come with friends and share various dishes over a few bottles of excellent French wine.

In my last visit, I ordered a small selection of dishes together with one of my favourite bottles of wine, a 2007 bottle of Marcillac @ £18.85 (Dne du Cros, Philippe Teulier, Marcillac). Terroirs’ wine list is most impressive - it contains about 200 wines of which 20 wines can also be served by the glass. You will be assured to find a bottle to suit every budget and taste.

The menu is divided into 5 categories – Bar Snacks (Duck Scratchings @ £2.50 are fatty but very moreish, Bread & Butter @ £1.50, a “must”), Small Plates (for sharing like Steak Tartare @ £7 or a Whole Dorset Crab and Mayo @ £12), Cheese (Rocamadour @ £3.50 is divine), Charcuterie (Duck Rillettes @ £6 is one of my favourites), Plats du Jour (more substantial dishes like Brandade de Morue @ £12 or Slow Roasted Belly of Pork @ £13) and Desserts @ £5. My suggestion would be to order bread and butter, which are heavy and chewy, accompanied by a selection from any of these categories.

One of the dishes I order at every visit, is the “Snail, Bacon, Garlic and Parsley” @ £7. This is served on a slice of toasted bread with a delicious Pistou dressing (just like Pesto but without pine nuts or cheese but more garlicky). The combination of flavours is sensational, I just wished there was more on my plate!

Another favourite, “Duck Rillettes” @ £6, is rustic French cuisine at its best, and better avoided when on any diet. Originally made with pork, the meat is cubed or chopped, salted heavily and cooked slowly in fat until it is tender enough to be easily shredded. It is then cooled with enough of the fat to form a paste. They are normally used as spread on bread or toast and served at room temperature.

“Potted Brown Shrimps” @ £7, also served on toasted bread, was very good. Seasoned heavily with nutmeg and paprika as potted shellfish should be, the flavours partnered well with the Morecambe Bay shrimps.

The “Pan Fried Girolles Mushrooms with a Duck Egg” at £7 was also delicious. The mushrooms were meaty and full of flavour, and the runny duck egg was an interesting addition.

Other dishes that I had tried in previous visits and that I would also recommend are the Steak Tartare @ £7 (well seasoned and fresh), Pork and Pistachio Terrine @ £6 (quite rustic and a substantial portion), Selection of Charcuterie @ £10 (nice cuts but not good value), any of the cheeses @ £3.50 (they are all superb), and Duck Scratchings @ £2.50 (fatty but very good).

I have been impressed by Terroirs in all my visits. At £53.27 for two including an excellent bottle of wine, this is one of my favourite restaurants in London at the moment, and I simply cannot recommend it enough.

Verdict – Rustic, hearty and delicious French cuisine to share, and coupled with the best wine list in town. Great Service and reasonable prices make Terroirs one of the hottest tables in the Capital.
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The London Foodie - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 19, 2009

Despite all the fabulous reviews of this place in the press, it is not the place for a quick glass of wine. I have twice called in on the off chance of an early evening drink (around 5pm), but the sneer of the receptionist when I tell them I don't have a booking is amazing! On the last occasion, I said that all I wanted was a glass of wine as I needed to leave by 6pm. Despite many empty tables, I was initially offered a tall small table with one stool and told my guest could stand! Eventually we were offered two stools at the end of the bear near the kitchen. Despite very poor, slow service, we left as promised at 6pm, when the majority of the tables around us were still empty!
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Helen Jackson
3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Sunday, October 18, 2009

Four of us ate at Terroirs last Thursday and were unanimous in our praise. A welcome contrast to the stuffier establishments that provide less good food at twice the price and expect you to be grateful as they shaft you, unsmiling.

Here, the food was superb - mouth-watering duck rillettes, a board of wafer thin slices of charcuterie, seared scallops, potted shrimps...the list goes on. And all in modest enough portions to keep you coming back for more. The essence is simplicity. So none of this food-becomes-art nonsense. Just walloping flavours.

After some cheeses served at a perfect temperature, and finishing the second of two bottles of Magnon Corbieres, we left well sated at less than £50 per head. This is what eating out should be about. No more bowing at the altar of the chef. Just a relaxed ambiance and food to be enjoyed, not hallowed for its architectural ingenuity.

We will be back on a regular basis.
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Trevor
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 05, 2009

Went on a saturday for lunch at 12.30 .Place was empty except for 2 tables of 2. No welcome from guy at cash register who sat there reading his newspaper while we hovered.

Eventually a waitress arrived and asked if we had reserved.We responded that we had not as we looked at the empty(but for 2 ) restaurant and her list of reservations had 4 names on it. Then she said we would have to sit at the bar(in the basement) on stools side by side.

We again looked at the empty(but for 2 restaurant) obviously and asked what about these tables? She looked confused,then said we would have to return a table by 2pm.As it was 12.30pm and we had no intention of spending the day there,we said this was fine.

So she pointed to a table right in the doorway,while of course all the other tables remained empty.

We were rapidly tiring of this whole lack of welcome and interest in having us and our money. So we gave it one more shot and said -what about those other tables which are ALL EMPTY.

She looked again,and said,they were booked.We had seen her reservations list which had 4 names and there were more than a dozen tables ,none of which were numbered or gave any indication of being reserved.

So,for sport now as we were thoroughly turned off, we asked how could specific tables be booked when there were no numbers?And how could they all be booked when her list showed only 4 names (of which 2 could well have been the people already there).

Again she hemmed and hawed(in French) and looked around,and the guy at the register continued reading his paper.

Then we left,and went to the fountain restaurant at Fortnums and had a wonderful lunch with no reservations and spent our money with people who were welcoming and glad to have us in the restaurant.

So,my message is don't waste your time and effort going to this place as they clearly have no interest in having customers,and seem bent on making you jump through hoops to eat there-a bit like those awful places in France come to think of it.
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C.Elder
3 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Terroirs is absolutely beautiful. I happened upon this trendy and busy wine bar with a friend I visited in London; we came back three more times.

The food is wonderful and has an authentic French feel, taste, and look that is difficult to come by these days even in France. The wine is fantastic. The staff are wonderful (except for an especially snooty waiter); other than that each time I visited Terroirs I was warmly welcomed.

Absolutely visit Terroirs.
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Jon
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, August 29, 2009

On the recommendation of a colleague, I took my fiancee and my parents to Terroirs. Good location, right at the heart of London, and my father described this as the best restaurant experience he has ever had! Though perhaps his judgement was 'enhanced' by the frankly incredible selection of wines - we just went for offerings by the glass, but there was much, much more that stood out on the rest of the list - but I would find it hard to disagree! The food is great and I would recommend Terroirs without hesitation. Will certainly be returning.
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Tom Adamson
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, August 20, 2009

Bit hit and miss.

Service was poor: the requested water and bread never appeared, the waitress recommended twice as many dishes as necessary (which thankfully we ignored!) and the bill took ages to come after we'd asked for it. Staff in general were mostly surly, bordering on rude.

Food was a mixture of superb and grim: the mixed charcuterie and various small plates we ordered were delicious but the pork belly was 75% fat with chewy skin. The chickpeas also tasted very canned.

Having said that, the things which were good were so good that we'll go back and this time be a bit braver and send stuff back that's not up to scratch.

Re the "small plates" they're kinda starter sized but everything we had was very rich so maybe 2 each, or three if you're hungy!!
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Jane
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Saturday, August 15, 2009