Salt Yard Group duo Simon Mullins and Ben Tish back new French bistro

New French bistro Blanchette is set to open next week in Soho after receiving backing from Simon Mullins and Ben Tish of the Salt Yard Group.

The restaurant will be run by three brothers, Maxime, Yannis and Malik Alary, who have named the Parisian style bistro after their mother and plan to serve classic French dishes with a modern twist. Salt Yard Group co-founder Simon Mullins and chef director Ben Tish are good friends with the Alary brothers and have taken on a role as consultants and stakeholders in this new venture.

Operating as head chef will be Tam Storrar, who is a former senior sous chef at Bibendum. Included on the menu will be traditional dishes with creative and innovative differences including chargrilled beef onglet with snails en persillade, salsify chips and red wine reduction, ox cheeks bourguignon with ventreche, warm confit of salmon and duck with puy lentils and herbs and prune and Armagnac clafoutis with crème fraiche.

There will also be an extensive wine list including offerings from all over France plus a selection of organic Normandy ciders. The dining room design is described as eclectic yet elegant, with mismatched furniture and artwork, and antiques sourced from Helene Allen of Little Paris. Each piece tells a different story, giving the restaurant the feel of rustic country home grandeur.

Plants, wine bottles, hams, terrines, cheeses and desserts will be displayed along the back of the bar, forming a strong visual focus point. Blanchette is set to be able to seat between 50 and 60 guests, including a private dining room for around 15 people. Music will also be a big factor in the feel of the new bistro with Malik Alary, founder of sound design company La Music du Faubourg, providing the soundtrack to ensure a buzzing and friendly atmosphere. Live music will also occasionally be on offer with small jazz and acoustic musicians playing during Sunday brunch.