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Rachel Khoo

The Khoo Times

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My latest Parisian adventure: Cafe Sou

At the beginning of the year, I was approached by the Ned – a Soho House x Sydell Group collaboration in the city of London - to come on board for an ambitious new project. Together they were planning on transforming the old Midlands bank  into a 252 room hotel with 9 restaurants, a members club, spa, gym and even a secret vault club downstairs.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BU9PU_jFlHz/?taken-by=thenedlondon

As one of the nine restaurants, The Ned planned to develop a Parisian-style cafe and asked me if I wanted to get involved. As you know, I'm always up for a challenge! Especially as accepting this one meant delving back into my photos, notebooks and memories from my time in Paris, which I never need an excuse to do. I've devoured many a croissant in Parisian cafes over the years, so I certainly felt armed to take on this wonderful task.

Left: Cafe Sou display. Right: Dark chocolate, cherry and chantilly cream millefeuille.

Our planning covered everything: from menus to aprons, tabletop choices to how we assemble our millefeuille. After months of hard work and piles of dust, Cafe Sou is now open and I couldn't be happier with the results. Serving everything you could hope for from a French-style cafe, I'm happy to report that (after lots of sampling ;)) the menu is delicious and traditional... like a little piece of Paris in the middle of Bank, London.

Left: Niçoise style filled baguette (Tuna, cucumber, tapenade, lemon aioli). Right: Hazelnut Financier topped with praline cream, Chocolate financier and lemon curd and cream cheese mousse financier.

 

There's plenty to tickle your taste-buds regardless of what time of day you drop in; whether it's popping by for breakfast and a freshly whipped up omelette (I keep mine simple with a sprinkle of cheese and chives), lunch with a generously filled, deliciously crusty baguette (my favourite the Niçoise style baguette), goûter with a financier (a little gold bar teacake) or something a bit more decadent like a dark chocolate and cherry millefeuille topped with Chantilly cream (a little homage to my Austrian heritage with a nod to the Black forest gâteau). In the evening you can while your way with a delicious board of charcuterie or cheese and a glass of wine (I've spent many evenings of Paris like this).

Left: French roast coffee and buttery croissant. Right: Quiche Lorraine.

 

 

Cafe Sou is open every day. The closest tube is Bank. Cafe Sou (ground floor of The Ned), 27 The Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ.

For all of you who won't have a chance to get there, check out my Pinterest inspiration board to satisfy your Cafe Sou craving:

 

 

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