A la Colthard/ Blandford Comptoir
The Blandford Comptoir is in Blandford Street Marylebone and is very much the offshoot of 28-50 in nearby Marylebone lane. This is not surprising as its owner worked there.
Like 28-50 it has a strange configuration of a bar with counter food (hence Comptoir) and tables to the back and rear.
This lack of unity is reflected in the service as it was hard to attract a waiter.
Our Bourgogne Aligote remained a long way from the table and – a thing I don’t like – when we asked if any was left there was a third of a bottle undrunk.
This said, the food like 28-50 was adventurous and good.
The menu was Mediterranean inspired. I had a mackerel tartare with horseradish which was a tasty savoury and after that a crab linguine – rich and creamy.
My companion had a beef carpaccio and lamb neck of which she was complimentary.
We shared a cheese plate and commented on the minute portions of the six cheeses which at £15 seemed pricey.
My girlfriend dropped a bombshell that in the year since I last saw here she had a baby boy.
She is sassy king of gal and seemed undeterred in continuing to live a life of travel and fun although an extremely proud mum. The inevitable photo of baby Edward come out within seconds of meeting her.
The event called for champagne and we did push the boat out which explained a high bill of £175. This was my first time to the establishment and I would return though they need to improve portion control and table service.
