The Brasserie Zedel Set Menu is Surprising Good Value

The Brasserie Zedel Set Menu is the star of the show. Brasserie Zedel has to be one of my favourite venues in London. Hidden away in a Piccadilly basement, it has the feel of a luxury Art Deco transatlantic liner with beautifully remodelled 1930s interiors. For such splendour and luxury, it’s amazing to find that it has a couple of fixed priced set menus that are surprisingly good value.

Brasserie Zedel Set Menu is Surprisingly Good Value

The first thing to say is don’t be suspicious…I have studied the Brasserie Zedel staffing and the chef is a fully trained expert in those unctuous cream and wine sauces and crispy, slender frites that epitomise French cuisine. Each member of the waiting staff has a full week of training and embodies all the service values of luxury hotels and dining establishments. And the small details of authentic Parisian glasses and bespoke linens transport the diner to another place and age.

Corbin and King, who own many upmarket restaurants including Colbert in Chelsea and The Wolseley in Mayfair, have kept true to the history of Brasserie Zedel with very democratic pricing.

And now on to the menus…

The Brasserie Zedel Set Menu Options

Brasserie Zedel has a three course Menu Formule which at £27.95 includes a glass of wine, or bottled water, and the Prix Fixe at £16.95 or £19.75 which is a two or three course menu and doesn’t include a drink. Note that ordering tap water here raises no eye brows. If you were thinking of a glass of house red or white with your meal you will find that both of the Brasserie Zedel set menus work out at about the same price.

French Bread and Butter

This is arguably the best part of the meal! I have friends who are on strict low carb diets who devour the entire bread basket and are on their second basket before the starter arrives. The French bread has a deep, slightly sour crust and a soft spongy interior. I defy anyone to find better bread in the whole of London and it comes with a small porcelain dish of butter with a paper seal. And the best part of it is that the restaurant does not charge extra for bread and butter on either of the Brasserie Zedel Set Menus.

If you are looking to read about another French Restaurant at the other end of the price spectrum read our review of Les 110 de Taillevent.

The Formule

Celeriac Remoulade
Celeriac Remoulade is a big hit with the French and hardly known over here. The grated root of the celery tasting like a cross between fresh celery stalk and turnip or swede, is mixed with a mustard mayonnaise. I like it and sometimes make it at home using a Jamie Oliver recipe. Some may find this an acquired taste but on the occasions when I have asked for a swap for something else on the menu it has been refused.

Blanquette of Lamb or Fillet of Sea Bream

I am hugely impressed with the main course of the Formule. The sea bream in is nicely cooked and seasoned prior to pan frying.

Tarte au Citron

Forget those bland English lemon meringue pies that taste of cornflour or worse still Green’s packet mix, this generous portion transports you to the finest of French patisseries. It has a delicate, lemon cream custard filling on a pastry base with an oozing soft meringue topping with just the right degree of caramelisation.

My Verdict on the Brasserie Zedel Set Menu – Formule

I have to give this 9.5 stars as I can’t really see how it could be bettered…although I personally would prefer the pea soup for a starter. It represents astonishing value for money.

The Prix Fixe

Carrot Salad

Many people expect a mound of raw grated carrots and are surprised by the flavour imparted by the dijon mustard dressing.

I am personally delighted that they have added the Minted Pea Soup with Creme Fraiche as an alternative starter option.

Chopped Steak Américain
The hamburger of minced steak comes with the option of having it cooked either slightly pink (medium) or well done, served in a cream peppercorn sauce with a side serving of a cone of finely cut, hot salted, crispy, French fries.

Absolutely delicious!

Brasserie Zedel has now added a vegetarian main course to its set menu. This is Butter Dhal.

Chocolate and Caramel Tart
The Manjari tart has a crisp biscuit base with a chocolate ganache filling. It is very rich and chocolatey and the perfect end to the meal.

My Verdict on the Brasserie Zedel Set Menu – Prix Fixe
Whenever, I am in Piccadilly I find myself on autopilot heading for the brasserie to have this set menu. So this menu also gets a 9 star rating from me! Maybe it could do with a green salad but this can be purchased separately for £4.75.

If this food was purchased individually on the A La Carte Menu it would cost in the region of £18.

The one thing that used to amuse me at Brasserie Zedel is that they offered the French menu to everyone regardless. The French speaking staff probably entertained themselves with the hilarious, customer mispronunciations. I now see that the menu is in English and no translations are required. To see the full menu online click this link Brasserie Zedel Menu

If you have enjoyed this blog post on the Brasserie Set Menu you may want to look at our piece on The Swan at the Globe which is a Modern British restaurant.

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