Bob Bob Ricard

The years don’t seem to have dulled the shine on Bob Bob Ricard’s original soho site. It’s a Monday night and the place is heaving with diners still hellbent on feeling that high from hitting the ‘press for Champagne’ button. 

It’s fun and a bit silly, but the sleek surrounds and smart team ground the whole experience, making it feel luxurious rather than gimmicky. The dining room is lined with navy leather banquettes accented by brass and mirrored detailing: a combination that wouldn’t feel out of place on the Orient Express.

Crystal champagne glass acquired and it’s time for the obvious accompaniment: caviar. In case you missed the memo, you’re firmly in the realms of excess. From lobster and Champagne through to scallops and truffle, BBR (as it’s known to its friends) is no place to hold back. And the caviar is good by the way; fresh and bright with creme fraiche and soft blinis giving it the perfect stage to shine on.

Starters of traditional pelmeni dumplings come with little bellies turned up, ready to accept their fate as they’re drowned in lobster bisque. They’re generously filled with sweet seafood, and the bisque is richly flavoured, if slightly on the thin side. Mains too are comforting and cosy - an immaculately topped pie of Champagne, mushrooms and chicken and a piece of belly pork with an architectural piece of crackling. The only complaint here is that the pastry is thin, and only on the top. As any pie connoisseur knows; nirvana is found in the gravy-soaked sides. Desserts are ‘gram-gratifying, with a flaming brûlée and a chocolate dome concoction which melts away under hot sauce that is poured table-side.

None of it is mind-bending stuff. You’re not here to try new things but instead to embrace good old fashioned flavours, have fun, drink Champagne and be looked after like you’re royalty. And who could find complaint in that?

Bob Bob Ricard is a high-class dining affair in Soho, in the centre of London, serving up luxury British and Russian inspired cuisine. The well-known establishement is popular among the higher echelons of society, particularly due to the ‘press for champagne’ button featured on every table in the restaurant.

The elegant restaurant is dressed in a rich palette of colours – royal blue, gold, and ivory. The furnishings are majestic and elaborate with blue and white painted walls and pretty chandeliers sprinkling light all over the restaurant. The overall look is highly polished and impressive. The restaurant is the place you go to be seen and to impress.  

The menu reads like a extensive list of luxury foodstuffs with starters of Russian Standard Imperia vodka shots to get you buzzing for rounds of Siberian caviar and Jersey rock oysters. The baked oysters, Brezhnev style, are decadently topped with parmesan and black truffle. The starters continue with all types of tartare from salmon to steak, and Russian specialties of truffled potato vareniki and lobster pelmeni dumplings.

Once your taste buds have been thoroughly excited, you can move onto starters of chicken kiev, 35-day aged scotch beef chateaubriand served with gravy, or slow roasted pork belly. Or you can opt for a big plate of steak tartare imperial, served with caviar. The fish menu is equally decadent with Dover sole meuniere, Lobster, and salmon tartare, too. For afters, rum and raisin pudding spiked with vintage panama rum will keep you buzzy – if the vodka starter hasn’t slowed you down – plus there's a stunning strawberry and cream soufflé. There are some boozy chocolate truffles to indulge in too, as the theme of this place is all about indulgence.  And of course, the wine cellar at Bob Bob Ricard is well-stocked with international bottles, that will go nicely with the rich courses on offer at the restaurant.