Sophie Ritchie leaves her suitcase at home and takes 108 Brasserie’s new global-inspired menu for a tastebud trip instead
Offering stylish brasserie-style dining in the middle of Marylebone, 108 Brasserie has recently launched an exciting new menu for summer.
Focusing on airily light dishes with seasonal ingredients at their core, the new offering from this 50-cover restaurant takes its inspiration from across the world.
With everything from Lebanese to Asian favourites on offer, I’m curious to park my plate passport and see where it takes me – especially as there’s no need to go through security.
Divided into four sections; Raw, Tostadas, Small Plates and Larger Plates, I visit with a foodie friend and try the new menu for myself, settling into the crimson banquet seating with the eagerness of a traveler on her first flight.
The Food & Drink
To start, we split two starters and begin the taste exploration, unfolding our napkins like famous explorers unfold their maps. First, we pitstop in Peru with a sea bass ceviche.
Served on a clear glass dish, the marinated fish is mingled with chunks of sweet potato so glisteningly fresh that I question if they’re in fact carrots, and topped with creamy avocado and crisp plantain.
It’s refreshingly light – the perfect appetiser for a humid summer’s day – with a chilli kick to keep the tempo Adagietto.
We also try a smoky honey-roasted beetroot salad. A plate filled with leaves, glazed almonds, crispy croutons and velvety beetroot (we forgo the ricotta, which usually accompanies) it’s soon completely devoured.
The leaves are a crunchy juxtaposition to the smooth beetroot – another summer winner.
For mains, it’s time to hop continents and head to Southeast Asia. We both order the Yellow Bean, Coconut and Tofu Laksa and soon, two bowls of symmetrical noodle soups appear before us.
A pool of molten orange topped with veggies and green garnish, my Laksa tastes rich and creamily indulgent from the coconut milk. It’s also very mild – the Laksa I’ve tried out in Sri Lanka packed far more of a punch.
The sauce, although tame, is delicious – I mop it up with bread like the uncultured vulture I am.
The fried tofu soaks up the sauce gorgeously whilst the noodles are a great way to add lightness to the rich sauce. Alas, I fail to finish such a large portion and leave the noodles swimming in the bowl.
Looking for something light on this sticky summer evening, I finish the meal with a fruit plate.
It arrives as a colourful explosion of sliced strawberries, nectarines and berries, paired with an orb of silky raspberry sorbet.
Anything vaguely chocolatey would have left me feeling like Bruce Bogtrotter after such a rich main, but this fruity bite is an easy way to finish.
Topped off with an essential Americano, the relaxed yet buzzy atmosphere of 108 Brasserie makes the perfect place to simply sip, chat and chat some more.
The Wordrobe Verdict
The service is swift, the interiors are suave and the dishes are satisfyingly delicious.
Head to Marylebone for a taste of travel this summer – 108 Marylebone’s new menu is perfect for globe-trotting without even needing to pack your suitcase.
Make it happen
Where: 108 Marylebone Ln, Marylebone, London W1U 2QE
How: Click here or phone 020 7969 3900 to make a booking.
Words by Sophie Ritchie
