EXCITING NEW STYLE OF CLASSIC FRENCH FOOD IN SOUTHSEA

Lou Lou’s Brasserie in Marmion Road in Southsea has for many years been a much loved spot for great food in Portsmouth. Based in the heart of Southsea along a busy row of independent shops (almost opposite Waitrose), this authentic, warm and cosy and independent brasserie has been welcoming people for some years after Southsea local Charles took Lou Lou’s over from the cafe it was previously.

The brasserie launched a fantastic new summer menu last week, bringing together friends and family to try out the new tapas style menu of beautifully created french food. The dishes shared and tasted included some of the new summer menu highlights with meat, vegetarian and dessert options to try out.

bringing together friends and family to try out the new tapas style menu of beautifully created french food…

Located in Marmion Road

Launch party diners got to try a taste of the new menu

Camembert to share

Updated decor

Authentic French Taste With a New Twist

The new summer menu is a collection of smaller, thoughtfully designed and carefully prepared, fresh and beautifully presented dishes that both complement each other and are great for sharing. Adopting the Spanish tapas style of dining, this menu is perfect for a get together and a celebration as well as a fun lunch with friends. On the launch evening one of the first dishes we tried the vegetarian Quiche Aux Champignon et Poireaux, a rich and creamy quiche made with leeks and mushrooms. Next was Joue de Porc, pig cheeks on a bed of ratatouille and vegetable crisps. This was a first time with pig cheeks and it was simply awesome. Next up was a camembert within a round loaf, a little like how you get clam or lobster chowder. This would be great to share, although you’ll possibly end up fighting a little to the dark but sweet onion side to perfectly match the cheese. We also had the Crabe et Écrevisse Terrine, a mix of crab and crayfish in a soft cream wrapped in smoked salmon. We also tried out the absolutely epic Chocolate Torte, with a slice of orange in the chocolate and the strawberries looked really cool too.

The meat and fish is all locally sourced and many of the dishes are gluten free. The Sunday roast is also epic too if you’re out and about at the weekend.

Adopting the Spanish tapas style of dining, this menu is perfect for a get together and a celebration as well as a fun lunch with friends…

Pate De Maquereau (Mackerel Pate)

Morue Pannée (Cod Goujons with Lemon Mayonnaise)

Lou Lou’s was previously an old butcher’s shop and still has many of the old features

Crabe et Écrevisse Terrine (Crab and Cray fish Terrine)

Lots of different offers available

Wide selection of craft beers

A shelf of Gin!

…a cosy and relaxed french brasserie feel, with copper pans and kettles hanging from the ceiling, old french signs, bottles and photography and paintings lining the walls…

Rich in History, Warm and Welcoming

Lou Lou’s was many, many years ago one of the best butchers in the city and the brasserie still has many of the original features such as the huge opening front window, the meat hanging curved metal racks hanging from the ceiling plus much of the original tiles and floor. This heritage is mixed with a cosy and relaxed french brasserie feel, with copper pans and kettles hanging from the ceiling, old french signs, bottles and photography and paintings lining the walls of both the main space and the back room.

The huge front window lets in the warm Southsea sunshine with tables running the length of the room with a comfortable, rich red velvet high backed bench. The back room is intimate and a perfect quiet corner for private functions or just getting away from the buzz of the street.

Joue de Porc (Pig Cheeks on a bed of Ratatouille & Vegetable Crisps)

Great spot for lunch with friends

Relaxed brasserie style

…poached meringue gently floating on a sea of vanilla Creme Anglaise topped with caramel sauce and spun sugar…

Treat Yourself

The lunch menu is fantastic if you want to treat yourself while out and about in Southsea shopping with friends, for example. When we visited we had the Lamb Shank and Bavette Steak. The locally sourced lamb is slow braised for hours and then roasted in its own juices to create a rich deep red wine jus. The steak was also locally sourced, Bavette is similar to flank steak and served with a beautiful wild mushroom or peppercorn source, sitting on french fries and served with a dressed fresh salad.

For dessert we had the french classic Ile Flottante, known as the floating islands, with poached meringue gently floating on a sea of vanilla Creme Anglaise topped with caramel sauce and spun sugar. Something a little special but light and sweet.

The new menu

Saucisse de Toulouse (Pan Fried Toulouse Sausages served with Garlic Sauce)

Epic Chocolate Torte

Trying out the Pig Cheeks

People watching from the window seats

Fine Collection of Gin, Craft Beers and Jazz

Lou Lou’s serves some excellent coffee with a keen eye on the classic french style of taking a coffee. The bar is also stocked with a great selection of french wine and champagne plus a menu packed with great cocktails. Lou Lou’s is also well known for its Gin selection, with dozens and dozens of different, carefully selected and curated bottles, so many to discover. On top of that you have craft beer from all over (including Iceland) too. Be sure to drop by Lou Lou’s on Friday nights or during the day on Sunday to catch a jazz band playing in the brasserie.

Lou Lou’s Brasseries can be found at 35 Marmion Rd, Southsea, PO5 2AT and is open:

WEDS – THURS: 12pm – 3pm, 5:00pm-11pm
FRI: 12pm – 11pm
SAT: 12pm – 11pm
SUN: 12pm – 5pm

You can book a reservation via the website, email or call 023 9282 5113. You can also book the brasserie for private functions, get in touch for details.

If you would like to find out more about Lou Lou’s Brasserie then you can visit their website brasserieloulous.com and follow them on Facebook and on Twitter @LouLousSouthsea.

Written by: Paul Gonella
Photography by: Strong Island Media

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