The French Table

It’s hardly surprising that this bijoux restaurant in Surbiton is popular as Eric (chef) and Sarah (Front of House) Guignard have been running their restaurant long enough to know exactly what their clientele want. Eric’s kitchen punches above its weight with starters like terrine of lobster and ham hock, set off with a sweet hit of confit watermelon, or an earthy slow-cooked duck egg paired with smoked duck breast and truffle-rich mushroom duxelle, with the likes of pearlescent roasted hake set off with a gentle crustacea sauce for mains. Sarah and her team greet diners as old friends and immediately put them at their ease. The wine list is built to accommodate special occasions (there’s decent selection of magnums and plenty of Champagne), but Sarah has a penchant for unusual and interesting wines, so it’s well worth checking out their seasonal list of wines by the glass and carafe. 

The French Table has successfully nailed the elusive appeal of a neighbourhood restaurant, offering a knock-out menu of fine dining cuisine but in a relaxed, familiar setting. Sitting on Maple Road in the suburb of Surbiton, it has a prime location surrounded by other bars, restaurants and cafes. 

The French Table was established back in 2001 as the vision of Eric and Sarah Guignard who dreamed of opening a restaurant that celebrated their passion for the best French food and wine, as well as personable service. Over the last 20 years, they have certainly perfected their craft and the restaurant holds two AA Rosettes, marking the team's efforts as stand out in their area with continued consistency and quality. 

The menus take their cue from French cooking and the time of year, using as much seasonal produce as possible. Eric and Sarah have been careful to devise menus that can suit any kind of event - whether it be a quick business lunch or a big birthday, guests are welcome to let the team know whether they need to order quickly and scoot, or make a fuss of whoever is celebrating. 

There are two lunch menus; a three-course ideal for a 'lunch break' or a five-course taster menu for a leisurely affair. Examples here include rare breed chicken ‘Poulet Basseri’ with leg sausage, white bread purée, creamed leek and truffle feuilletée, as well as Scottish line-caught halibut with new season Jersey Royals, smoked eel with lovage oil and trout roe sauce. 

The evening sitting follows the same structure, offering a three-course meal or five-course taster menu. Some examples of the taster menu courses include Cold roast veal with baby artichoke, monksbeard, AND hazelnut pesto, as well as roast rump of new season Cumbrian lamb, navarin printanièr, crispy shoulder, and wild garlic mayonnaise, and caramelised banana mousse with spiced rum, peanut brittle,
passion fruit and chocolate ice-cream for dessert. 

Wine pairings are available for all taster menus and the team is also very happy to help advise by the glass or bottle from their carefully curated wine selection.