It’s easy to understand why Brasserie Blanc remains one of the city centre’s most loved dining spots — especially with its fresh new look and a return to its French roots.

A Rebrand with Real Character

You might have already noticed Brasserie Blanc’s transformation. Across its 14 UK locations, the brand has undergone a stylish rebrand that feels clear, confident, and perfectly French. From its sleek menus and refined marketing to its beautifully updated website, this new era of Brasserie Blanc celebrates everything that makes the restaurant special — authentic, elegant, and unmistakably Raymond Blanc.

Born in Besançon, France, Raymond Blanc OBE is one of the UK’s most celebrated chefs, renowned for his passion for seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and his flair for traditional French cuisine. Largely self-taught, Blanc’s culinary journey began after moving to England in the 1970s, where he opened his first restaurant, Les Quat’Saisons, in Oxford. Its huge success led to the creation of Brasserie Blanc, launched in Oxford in 1996, with the aim of bringing accessible, beautifully cooked French food to diners nationwide.

A Perfect Setting for a Midweek Treat

The Milton Keynes brasserie itself is a delight. The atmosphere strikes just the right balance — lively yet relaxed, with soft lighting and gentle background music setting the tone for an evening of indulgence. The service was exceptional from start to finish, attentive without being intrusive, informative about each dish, and perfectly timed between courses. The staff’s enthusiasm for the food and genuine passion for hospitality really shone through.

Sourcing with Care and Integrity

Brasserie Blanc’s commitment to quality starts long before the food reaches your plate. Staying true to Raymond Blanc’s ethos, the restaurant works closely with trusted British suppliers who share the same passion for sustainability, seasonality, and flavour. Ingredients are carefully sourced to ensure the freshest produce — from responsibly caught fish and ethically reared meat to vibrant, locally grown vegetables. This thoughtful approach not only celebrates the best of British ingredients but also honours the French tradition of letting simple, high-quality produce shine.

A Feast of French Flavours

We began with Trempettes — saffron rouille, olive oil & balsamic reduction, and black olive tapenade served with fresh baguette. A trio of flavours that immediately transported us to the Mediterranean. The saffron rouille deserves a special mention — rich, silky, and bursting with flavour. Brasserie Blanc, if you’re reading this, please bottle it for takeaway!

For starters, we shared the Duo de Céleri-Rave — a lovely vegan option of celeriac fondant and remoulade with walnut dressing — light yet satisfying. Alongside it came the Saucisse de Morteau, Œuf Poché, featuring a hearty Morteau sausage, creamy potato salad, and a perfectly poached free-range egg drizzled with Dijon mustard dressing. The sausage was beautifully smoky and full of flavour, while the tangy mustard complemented the richness without overpowering. Even those who aren’t fans of mustard will appreciate how well it ties the dish together.

Every main on the menu came highly recommended, making it almost impossible to choose just one.

With so many tempting choices, narrowing it down was no easy feat — but we settled on three mains to sample and share our views on:

• Gigolette de Poulet – tender chicken leg with mushroom stuffing, truffled celeriac mash, wild mushrooms, and jus gras. The earthy truffle and mushrooms paired beautifully with the succulent chicken.
• Lapin à la Moutarde – confit rabbit leg in mustard sauce with streaky bacon, smooth mash, and French beans. Having never tried rabbit before, we were pleasantly surprised. It was rich, tender, and bursting with comforting, layered flavours — our surprise favourite of the evening.
• Plie Meunière – a whole plaice served with brown butter and caper sauce, accompanied by new potatoes. A classic done to perfection; light, buttery, and delicately balanced.

Each dish delivered on every level — perfectly cooked, full of depth, and a true reflection of the brasserie’s return to authentic French cooking.

We also couldn’t resist a couple of sides — Gratin Dauphinois, the ultimate creamy baked potato indulgence, and Épinards à la Crème, velvety spinach that complemented each dish perfectly.

For dessert, the Tarte Fine aux Pommes was the star — crisp, light, and beautifully offset by a scoop of Jude’s vanilla ice cream. A perfect palate cleanser to end the meal. For chocolate lovers, the Chocolat Praliné Feuilletine offered indulgence in every bite — layers of chocolate sponge, mousse, praline, and glaze with Griottine cherries. It’s rich and luxurious, so best saved for those with room to spare!

All of this was enjoyed with a glass of their house white, crisp and perfectly paired. Their new wine list celebrates regional French wines — another nod to their roots and a joy for anyone who loves exploring a good wine menu.

Join “Le Club” – Rewards, Perks and Plenty of Merci

To make the Brasserie Blanc experience even better, diners can now join Le Club — their new loyalty programme offering a host of tempting rewards. From complimentary drinks, desserts, and dishes to VIP perks such as 15% off food, birthday fizz, and early access to special events, it’s the restaurant’s way of saying merci to loyal guests. A merci beaucoup for joining Le Club - Begin your journey with a little French generosity — enjoy a complimentary round of eight drinks when eight of you dine from the à la carte or specials menu.

And that’s not all — Brasserie Blanc hosts Steak Nights, Jazz Nights, Happy Hours (Sunday–Friday, 5–7pm), pre-theatre drinks offer, and offers lunch menus, a children’s menu, and private dining options, plus they’re now taking Christmas bookings.

So, what are you waiting for? Head to their beautifully redesigned website and book a table. For a true taste of France in Milton Keynes City Centre, Brasserie Blanc delivers every time.