What is it: Restaurant in the heart of London serving authentic French dishes in a contemporary location
Where is it: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad St, London EC2N 1HQ
Why go: Great food, friendly atmosphere, the best camembert you’ll ever eat in your life
Paul is a French chain of bakery/café restaurants established in the town of Croix in Nord in 1889. Whilst it culminated from small beginnings, the quintessential charm and use of delicious flavours has seen it grow into a thriving chain which still retains the original French spirit of its conception.
Whilst you might be more familiar with the bakeries, Paul restaurants are a great location for a date, meal with friends or somewhere to impress the in-laws. We recently headed to Paul Tower 42. While it might be nestled in an iconic London skyscraper, it is on the ground floor so the views aren’t amazing, but it does little to affect the experience. Smiling staff greet you warmly and as they lead you to your table you still feel the original charm of that little bakery in that French town… albeit with a contemporary makeover. The space is plush and luxurious with jewel-coloured velvet armchairs against a sultry backdrop decorated with mirrors and sleek dark accents. It’s sophisticated and it’s stylish and feels the perfect location to impress – without an air of pretentiousness.
We began our experience with a signature house cocktail French 75, which is worth a visit to Paul Tower 42 alone. Made from raspberry, lemon juice, Ratafia, gin and KY Procco it was sharp and sweet, fruity and delicious. Due to the location, their relaxed champagne, cocktail and wine bar is super popular for after work drinks and we recommend you take advantage of their Happy Hour when all the French cocktails are just £5.
After a swift perusal of the food menu – which features a whole host of French classic delights as well as a couple of burgers for those fancying something a little less adventurous, I settled on the camembert to start and Paillard de poulet for main. My partner also opted for the Camembert and then a Ravioli de Royan to follow.
Camembert is one of my weaknesses and this was hands down the best I have ever tasted. A portionable size for one, it was oven baked with rosemary, garlic and honey and accompanied with a toasted baguette which we slathered with butter. The top was golden and the inside beautifully hot and gooey. The romsemary, garlic and honey really added to the flavours and it was cooked to perfection – it was absolute foodie heaven.
My Paillard de poulet was made of pan-fried flattened chicken breast – again, a great size portion – and accompanied with tender stem broccoli and a lemon & tarragon dressing. The chicken was tender and succulent and the sauce a deliciously tangy accompaniment. My partners main was made of mini ravioli from Royan filled with ricotta and spinach, in a Emmental, shallot & white wine sauce. A great vegetarian option it was teeming with flavours and piping hot. Delicious and filling it left just the right amount of room for dessert.
Dessert at Paul Tower 42 is a dish worth waiting for. My choice of mixed ice creams were light and creamy and my partners Crème brulée deliciously crispy on top and beautifully soft inside.
After a cup of tea to round off the meal we bade goodbye to the friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere and out into the streets beyond, feeling full and satisfied. Paul Tower 42 surpassed our expectations of the French restaurant and proved chains don’t need to feel like ‘chains’. It proved the tender love, care and passion which opened a small bakery in a quaint French town can be carried through the generations and bought to the bustling streets of 21st century London. With traditional french cooking, an abundance of tastes, smells and a cosy atmosphere that wraps you up and holds you close, Paul Tower 42 needs to be next on your list.
PAUL Tower 42
Tower 42
25 Old Broad St
London
EC2N 1HQ
