Frogs legs to fromage: Café François is London’s latest French canteen, serving up all of the classics with a recent international twist

Within the bustling coronary heart of Borough, simply south of the River Thames, Café François is a brand new spot to fulfill a Sunday morning pastry craving. The up to date French canteen is an extension of Maison François, a decadent bistro providing traditional French delicacies that opened in Mayfair in 2020. Persevering with this stylish French theme, Café François is a trove of reasonably priced French classics with influences together with up to date California delis and the bistros of Montreal.

Tuck in at Café François

The setting is the foodie hub of Borough Yards. The inside design displays its industrial context, with crimson brick and metallic particulars. Upon coming into, a deli counter boasts an array of succulent items, whereas the aromatic aromas of the open kitchen information you thru to the principle eating room. An attention grabbing staircase extends up into the primary ground, the place two extra eating rooms are located.

Founder François O’Neill labored alongside govt chef Matthew Ryle and entrance of home Ed Wyand to create a setting that embraces the worldwide influences and flavours which have formed French cookery outdoors France. ‘Following the opening of Maison François, we had our eyes on a second website and couldn’t have discovered a extra good location. Borough Yards has an actual neighbourhood really feel to it, in addition to being a hub for guests too,’ says O’Neil. ‘We’ve travelled round totally different cities, in France, Canada and the USA, bringing collectively totally different iterations of café tradition to create one thing we expect everybody will get pleasure from.’

The cafe’s menu accommodates all meal occasions, whereas staying loyal to its Francophile heritage. For breakfast lovers, the menu begins with a number of candy and savoury pastries, hearty sandwiches and warming egg dishes. Recent bread and patisseries are made in home; the decadent dessert choice features a éclairs in various flavours.

The lunch and night menu consists of traditional French favourites from crispy frog’s legs to tartare de boeuf, whereas nostalgic grilled cheeses are made alongside French onion soup. The open kitchen additionally gives brasserie classics like rôtisserie hen, Vadouvan curry of monkfish, and a complete lobster frites to share.

An array of wine choices, thoughtfully chosen with sustainability in thoughts and together with a sequence of playful bottle designs, rounds issues off. Cocktails are additionally obtainable, and what higher option to spherical off a night then with an espresso martini, accompanied by a pistachio éclair? Santé!