Harden's says
Upstairs at the Three Compasses in Smithfield, a pub that's stood the test of time (over 300 years), Henry Harris has once again revived his Racine concept with this bouchon. Even the old Knightsbridge sign has been brought out of retirement for the occasion.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Transporting you to a French bistro in Lyon” – Henry Harris’s phenomenal, year-old sequel to his Knightsbridge Racine (which closed in 2015) just marches on and has quickly become one of the Top-10 most notable destinations in our annual diners’ poll, thanks to its huge and “sophisticated foodie fan base”. “It has an unpromising location – up a narrow staircase” above The Three Compasses pub near Farringdon tube – but once inside it’s “always buzzing” and “such a fun place to eat”. The “sublime” food from the blackboard menu here is “the stuff of dreams for lovers of traditional French cooking” (“no wonder so many chefs eat there!”): “proper French classics executed with skill and passion” (“just don’t check your cholesterol!”); and all “in generous portions and at ungreedy prices”. “It feels like it’s been here for decades, with its very confident and focussed menu”; and there’s “exemplary service from engaged and knowledgeable staff”. Just one thing… “it’s almost impossible to get a table…”. Top Menu Tips – “the rabbit in mustard sauce with Alsace bacon is one of the best dishes ever”; “delicious tête de veau with Henry Harris’s sauce ravigote”; “Escarole and Mimolette salad and Bayonne ham with Celeriac remoulade is generously portioned and very tasty”.
Summary
A “fabulous successor to the legendary Racine” (which closed in Knightsbridge in 2015) and “an amazing, blazing return to the stove for Henry Harris” – this “very lively room, up steep stairs” above Farringdon’s Three Compasses pub is the opening of the year and, despite all the hype, it doesn’t disappoint. “There’s lots of passion and skill that goes into this quintessential cooking” – “French classics (basics even) taken to another level”. Service, overseen by co-founder Dave Strauss, is “pitch perfect”: “charming and from people who clearly love what they do”. “One leaves uplifted and feeling that all is well with the world… that is, in the unlikely event that you can get a table!”. Top Menu Tip – “a spot-on and delicious tête de veau sauce ravigote”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Bouchon Racine?
66 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6BP
Restaurant details
Bouchon Racine Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Exquisite. I have never eaten a better andouillette. The food is fabulous and the service impeccable. It must be the best French food in London. But the prices are rising . It's now West End pricing"
"Perfect French cooking with finesse and huge flavour. "
"Just what you would hope to get - classic French food, executed well, with plenty of offally fun. Attentive, efficient and charming service. Good wine list. Tough to get a booking though!"
"Reliably French, traditional and skilled cooking. Tete a veau and rabbit are classics. Generous portions. Friendly service. A bit noisy. "
"This restaurant has an unpromising location, up a narrow stair above a pub, but once inside it is like stepping into a part of France. Starters of an escarole and mimolette salad and Bayonne ham with celeriac remoulade were generously portioned and very tasty. A main of rabbit in mustard sauce was followed by sweet and delicious gariguette strawberries. It is a small restaurant but very comfortable and the service is excellent."
"A good time was had by all, with a suitable choice available for all four of the members of the dining out club, for all three courses, and the costs are extremely reasonable for central London. The bill however is in the name of the Three Compasses, which is the pub downstairs. A more “dead” establishment it would be difficult to find! If one is looking for a place to rendezvous then The Hope at the top of the road at the entrance to Billinsgate is the place to choose."
"wonderful, gutsy food, superb oysters, classic mains. Warm welcome; ambiance challenged by its inevitable destination status."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.50 |
| Service | 10.00% |
66 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6BP
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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