Ploussard, Clapham Junction

I’d lost count of how many recommendations I’d had for Ploussard before I finally made it through the door – friends, neighbours, virtually everyone I know in this corner of Clapham had told me it was a must-visit. I’m pleased to say it lived up to every bit of the hype.

The space is intimate without being cramped, softly lit, and has the kind of low hum of conversation that tells you everyone in the room is having a genuinely good time. I ended up going for the Carte Blanche menu, which turned out to be the perfect way to let the kitchen show off. It opened with house bread and butter – simple, but exactly what you want to set the tone. From there, the crab and black pepper tartelette was a brilliant start: delicate, well-seasoned and beautifully balanced, while the tempura black pudding with three-cornered leek and truffle was a genuine standout – rich, earthy and completely unexpected in the best way.

The raw scallop with green strawberry and almond was a masterclass in balance, the sweetness and acidity of the strawberry cutting perfectly through the delicate scallop. Wild bass with preserved tomato and chilli brought a gentle heat and depth of flavour that lingered nicely, while the shiitake, hazelnut, egg yolk and comté was pure indulgence – rich, silky and the kind of dish you want to order again the moment you’ve finished it.

The dry aged duck with bbq cherry and turnip was the highlight of the savoury courses for me – perfectly cooked, with the sweetness of the cherry playing beautifully against the richness of the duck. To finish, the strawberry and Kampot pepper ice cream was a genuinely inspired way to end the meal: cooling, gently spiced, and not overly sweet, which felt like exactly the right note to close on.

I opted for the wine pairing, and it was, without question, one of the best I’ve had in a long while. Each pour was clearly chosen with real thought and care, elevating every single course rather than simply accompanying it. It’s obvious that a huge amount of knowledge and passion goes into the list here, and it shows in how seamlessly the pairing worked with the food.

At £85.00pp for the Carte Blanche and £65.00pp for the wine pairing, it’s a no brainer and perhaps one of the most reasonable tasting menus in the area. Ploussard delivers exactly what a proper neighbourhood bistro should: thoughtful food, a genuinely lovely atmosphere, and the sense that real care has gone into every single detail.

Find out more > www.ploussardlondon.co.uk