The open kitchen

The Toulouse in Westcliff on Sea is a smart, comfortable restaurant on the seafront with friendly staff, a varied menu and excellent wine list, including champagne by the glass and dessert wines. The specialities are fresh seafood and a mix of European dishes. You can relax at the bar pre-meal. We chose this as we used to enjoy Stefans until they closed it and opened this new one with added management.

For starters – Try the fish soup – perfectly French style, yet I would say even nicer than at Perrards in Le Touquet! Mussels in a gorgeous white wine and cream base. I rarely have prawn cocktail, but theirs is well worth trying with a lovely sauce and not too much of it!

One evening we tried the chicken tagine, which was gorgeous with sweet carrots. Green beans, roasted vegetables and sautéed potatoes on the side. The Cassolet was indifferent, but everything else good. Continue reading Toulouse Restaurant, Westcliff on Sea, Essex