Brasserie Blanc St. Albans

The choice of restaurant for The Belgian's birthday was in part inspired by celeb spitting Raymond Blanc himself dinning alone at Heston's Dinner earlier in the week.

A cheese soufflé was tasty and elegant, served in the pan.

Steak onglet might well have been cooked in France and teleported over. Green beans had a decent snap.

They rolled out the carpet for The Belgians dessert of Baked Alaska, which he shared without anyone going hungry.

Very likeable decor leads to an overall preference for Blanc over St Albans other French chains, Cote and Cafe Rouge.