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LADY BLONDE @ AUBAINE.
Designers from around the world are getting twitchy. The paps are warming up their index fingers and my bedroom has hurled up its innards in an attempt to find me something to wear. What could cause such mayhem? Such frenzied anticipation? London Fashion Week? Perhaps partly. But no, my mother (the First Lady Blonde) is in town and in possession of the lethal combination of front row seats at every show, a critical eye and an opinion she wants everyone to hear.
Between being dressed by a medley of designers, she found the time to invite me to join her for lunch at Parisian style brasserie on Brompton Road, Aubaine. "Lunch?" I said, "You never eat in the build up to Fashion Week. What about the fittings?"
"Don't be ridiculous darling. Besides, this lunch is different and I need to speak with you about something." Uh-oh.
In honour of London Fashion Week, Aubaine has launched a 'Rush Hour' menu with fashionistas on-the-go in mind. The menu can be enjoyed within an hour or at one's leisure, and offers a fresh, wholesome and nutritious lunch that is rich in beauty enhancing properties. Food that doesn't go to your hips but to your hair, skin and nails? Healthy food that actually tastes delicious and not in portions better suited to an ant with a stapled stomach? What more could you ask for? Very little it seems as Aubaine delivers for all the senses; besides the food that is fresh and delicious, the pretty, distressed, wooden furniture and the patisserie counters look invitingly rustic but chic in the idyllic French way, the aromas given off by the freshly baked bread and brewing coffee are fit to be bottled and the buzzing conversation that emanates from the tables sounds every bit like a welcoming, relaxed, authentic Parisian hot spot.
I ordered roasted salmon on a bed of truffle-oil-flavoured crushed potatoes served with a light watercress juice, and FLB enjoyed the Aubaine House Salad with king prawns, mixed leaves and citrus fruits in an apple and balsamic dressing. The accompanying kiwi and apple smoothie was perfectly refreshing and rich in vitamin C to boot. We were just finishing our red fruit salad with yoghurt crème, strawberry coulis and granola when FLB stopped admiring our waiter's pert derrière and turned to face me.
In a voice loud enough for the Gallery Attendants in The V&A to turn around and frown, she asked, "Been on any dates recently?" Here we go. "And why did you reject that lovely American? I know he was initially after me, but I'm sure his invitation was heartfelt." I winced, torn between pride and repulsion at having a mother whose hand-me-downs extended beyond vintage clothing and into admirers. Plus, the aforementioned American had ears so large that his head appeared in parenthesis and his trousers would be better described as long shorts. "Still, not to worry," she persevered, "I'm sending you on a blind date this weekend." Oh Mon Dieu.
BEST BITS.
The ambience created in this authentic restaurant is informal but chic, buzzing but not hectic and – unlike so many popular places in London – they are not just happy for you to take your time, they encourage it.
The food is all beautifully presented; if your eyes stray and your stomach follows, the cakes are brought around on a platter for you to choose something sweet that will taste as good as it looks.
With tables of all shapes and sizes, they can cater for all group sizes, at any time of day.
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