hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn December 2014 | Page 7

Hiya Bucks Restaurant Review... B eaconsfield I have to admit having not eaten before at a Brasserie Blanc restaurant I had assumed that it may be somewhat formal and possibly even pretentious; I couldn’t have been more wrong. On arrival I was immediately struck by the warm welcome and the pleasant atmosphere. I was surprised at just how big this restaurant is, a lot larger than it looks from outside with a comfy waiting area and bar as you enter and seating that stretches all the way through to the back. The simple table settings and paper menus suggest an easy going and very informal place to dine. I did speak to the Manager who told me this is all part of the recent rebranding they have undertaken, with the objective being to create more casual dining for guests ensuring everyone feels welcome, be it a social gathering, a business dinner or a treat for your children. Brasserie Blanc want all their guests to feel comfortable and to enjoy the experience. I visited on a Monday lunchtime and was amazed at just how busy it was. By all accounts it’s a good idea to book if you wish to visit at weekends as since opening they haven’t had a quiet day. There is a set lunch menu available; some might say quite limited. However with three courses costing just £14.50 and with the option of adding a glass of wine for just another £2.50, this is a reasonably priced set lunch and compares easily to the many restaurants in the area. There is a good wine menu including some high end choices and also some very reasonably priced house wines. I decided to go with the a la carte menu and started with Trempettes, a tasty variety of mixed olives, bread and dips. I followed that with a starter of Lamb Sweetbreads which came with mushrooms and roasted hazelnuts; this was scrumptious. For my main I chose Brixham Crab and I wasn’t disappointed. Beautifully presented and accompanied by creamy mashed potato I have to say I struggled to finish, realising that maybe I’d better skip one of my earlier courses next time I visit. With each main meal you have a choice of potatoes or salad and of course you can order other vegetables if you wish. I’m not big on desserts so finished with coffee. However if you do like a pudding there are plenty to choose from and looking around me I imagine one may struggle to finish, given the generous portion size. I really enjoyed my visit to Brasserie Blanc. The restaurant itself is well laid out with plenty of room, the food was super and I loved that although it was busy and vibrant there was an aura of calm that the staff seem to create. They were attentive, professional, friendly and definitely contributed to a very enjoyable lunch. I shall definitely be returning. 41 LONDON END BEACONSFIELD BUCKS HP9 2HW 01494 685960 email: [email protected] | www.hiyabucks.com 7