Paris Late Lunch At Eiffel Tower’s Madame Brasserie Restaurant

I had to spend a few hours alone and at a loose end in Cheltenham today while my car was being serviced. French cooking is hard to find in most of England but Brasserie Blanc valiantly fills the gap in quite a few places and Cheltenham is one. I did not book but it was no problem to be seated at 12.30. I may have been the only solitary diner but staff were attentive and pleasant, and seating and sight lines are sufficiently subtle here that one does not feel conspicuous. The decor does not clamour for attention but it has an understated charm, the walls hung with original paintings that complement the unemphatic decor. The starter (Fondant of Celeriac) proved exceptional in both conception and execution. A steamed 'cutlet' of the vegetable with some grated raw (ie a portion of remoulade) as accompaniment, the plate enriched with a buttery jus that contained gently roasted walnut halves. It sounds like nothing but was exceptional, well judged in every particular. The remoulade, for example, was dressed not with a thick creamy mayonnaise but with a discreet vinaigrette, refreshing the palate between mouthfuls of the warm velvety cutlet with its almost meaty butter and walnut sauce. The roasted confit duck leg which followed was exemplary as were the accompaniments. I drank a single glass of the house Pinot Noir throughout the meal but it came to spectacular life with this course, complementing the fine flavour and silky texture of the perfectly prepared meat with its accompaniment of fine green beans and whole young carrots. Dessert was splendid. A pistachio soufflé that stood to attention above the rim of a very generously sized ramekin, accompanied by a small portion of a full-flavoured dark chocolate ice cream. This was a lunch to gladden the heart without breaking the bank or placing much strain on the wallet or the waistline. This place has a good, brisk feel on midweek lunchtime, yet as a solitary diner I felt neither rushed nor overlooked at any point - service was unfailingly pleasant, charming and attentive yet unobtrusive. I had eaten here once before on an extremely crowded father's day (again without a prior booking and on that occasion with a friend) but today's visit confirmed my long-standing affection for this chain which does so much to bring great and imaginative French cooking within reach of a sizeable slice of England.

Delightful lunch!!! It was our 50th Wedding Anniversary!!! Food was delicious and staff wonderful. Memorable!!

This was everything I wanted it to be, fabulous food and service! Nice view also! I would definitely do again if I was to be back in Paris ❤️

It was an average for me for the service and quality. Might be because we went to a Michelin Star restaurant the day before with better experience. Nonetheless, we didn't regret for coming.

It was nice but I am very upset about the fact that I purchased a seat with seine view, and it was not honored, they sat me in center I could NOT see the Seine, when I explained to hostess she said in order for me to get a seine view it would cost me an additional 25EUROS!!!!! I was very upset, and I told her my ticket purchase was of Seine river, she said it did not matter it would cost 25 euros more. So biend that it was my birthday I wanted the Seine view and I paid the 25 EUROS. PLEASE REFUND TO ME ON MY CARD!!! I PAID FOR VIEW OF SEINE RIVER, AND I HAD TO PAY AGAIN. I AM SOOOOO NOT HAPPY WITH VIATOR. I EXPECT A REFUND OF MY 25 EUROS!!!!!