London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Ah, a thin slice of Poilâne bread, lightly toasted, with just a little butter… Some will not hesitate to cross the whole city to get theirs from the tiny boutique on Elisabeth Street. What will you have? The walnut one? The beautiful sourdough version decorated with a P, almost 2kg, which dense texture makes it easy to keep for a whole week? On the way back you will be dreaming of a feast to go with it – chunky soup, cheese…

From Monday on, you will be able to indulge at the Cuisine de bar near Sloane Square. A similar one opened in Parisian Le Marais last spring and offers a wide selection of savoury tartines: St Marcellin cheese-cured ham-marjoram… artichoke and coriander… Wesh rarebit… With always sprinkled fresh herbs and sometimes gorgeous Guérande sea salt. The one with tomatoes and mozzarella, with some chopped basil on top, will remind you of spain, the bread drinking the fruit juices. Very elegant in taste indeed. Coming for breakfast? They will be serving eggs and soldiers, croissant, brioches and coffee with a biscuit spoon. After work, you could come back for the dips served with toasted bread, add a glass of wine.

The space is Danish inspired – golden wood on the floor, brick walls soothed with a layer of satin grey, design yet discreet lighting for a touch of honey, wide alleys thought for buggies. Each table has its own universe – communal close to the large baywindow, sweet close to the counter (though beware, seeing all those lovely tartines will make you order far more than you can eat!), dreamy under the cloud like light… You could even work for a while on the individual places – cleverly though really, thought for laptops with even a plug under each chair.

Very spacious restaurant, a little magical, reminding you of nature with its two tree, the paintinf a forest at spring… A soothing atmosphere.

Even better, a glass separation with the basement will give you the opportunity to spy on the lab and see bread, croissants, pastries being prepared. let’s hope they launch workshops too!

Don’t leave just yet -  get some punitions (Poilâne’s grand-mother used to call him to give him one of this punishment – in fact a lovely buttery biscuit), gingerbread, jams (figs, tatin, chestnut…). It takes quite a while to review it all.

Opening November 07 and sure to be a hit!

Cuisine de Bar Poilâne
39 Cadogan Gardens
London SW3 2TB

Tartine £4.75-£12.50

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