What better way to beat the winter blues than with a little sprinkle of gallic magic?
For a number of year now, the French gem Bouchon has sat lay at the heart of Hexham, serving homespun French country cooking against Northumberland’s own rustic setting.
The man at the helm is Greg Bureau, an expert in French cuisine, born in the Loire before honing his craft in a string of Michelin-starred restaurants throughout France and bringing his own brand of restaurant to the good people of the North East. Bouchon possesses a loyal following and of an evening has a sumptuous a la carte menu (also available of a lunchtime) in full swing whilst also serving a concise, prix fixe menu – a great entry point to this inimitable style of cooking.
Good value is available with two courses available for £21.00 and three for £22.00. This proved just the job for my son Jack and I who visited on a bright and breezy Friday afternoon in January.
The bistrot looks right at home on a quaint, cobbled street, possessing a handsome stone exterior. Admittedly, it had been nigh on five years since our last visit, during which time the restaurant has enjoyed a comprehensive facelift. The moody red tones and swagged curtains of yesteryear have been superseded by a rich colour palette of browns, taupes and caramels which feels decidedly more modern. The venue has lost none of its charm however with art deco posters and trinkets creating an atmosphere unmistakeably French.
Also revamped is an outdoor balcony area, perfect for corporate entertaining as the temperature bar grows higher and the nights get longer. This really set the backdrop for what would be a really authentic experience. Think classics like French onion soup, crispy duck confit and chicken & truffle ballotine. First up for however was the salmon confit for Jack and the black pudding beignets (a deep-fried pastry to you and me) for yours truly.
Following on, Jack sampled the roasted chicken breast with pomme puree, embellished by a flag of crispy bacon and served with a melange of creamed leeks and sauteed greens.
I meanwhile tucked into the traditional steak frites, cooked to the perfect pink and set off exquisitely by an excellent bottle of Pinot Noir. A supplementary au poivre sauce was also a must for this true trencherman.
Not yet replete, we broke our new years resolutions for a divine mousse au chocolat with peanut brittle and roast pineapple accompanied by vanilla mascarpone and a slug of rum.
A pair of bracing espresso put the cherry on what had been a truly memorable meal before a brisk walk around Hexham’s rolling hillsides burnt off any excess.
Throughout our meal Greg was a warm and convivial host. Many years ago, he traded the Loire Valley for the Tyne Valley – our region is all the better for it.