Rousset solo venture to open in May

Xavier Rousset MS is to open his own wine-focused restaurant, called Blandford Comptoir, this May.

Blandford Comptoir, the new solo venture of Xavier Rousset MS, is due to open in May

Rousset, who announced that he was leaving the Michelin-starred Texture 28°-50º restaurant group he co-founded with chef Agnar Sverrisson in May 2015, confirmed the new venture would open in Marylebone “towards the end of May” this year.

The Comptoir project, on which Rousset has been working “intensively” for the past “three to four months”, will be a “wine-led”, 40-cover venue serving Mediterranean-influenced food.

It will boast a 250-bin wine list with a “broad range” of wines from all over the world, and will include “fine wine at a very fair price”.

Prices will range from £23 up to £1,000, Rousset said.

The list will include 40-50 Champagnes and some wine-based cocktails.

There will also be around 16-20 wines served by the glass, some of which will be by Coravin.

The list will also have an element of interactivity, with a section chosen by prominent wine personalities and even the restaurant’s customers.

“Part of the wine list is going to be interactive,” Rousset said. “Customers and what I call ‘wine celebrities’ will have an influence on the list.”

Devon Pryor, former head sommelier of members’ club Home House, will join Rousset on the wine side at the Comptoir.

Rousset said the Blandford Comptoir was the first in a string of projects he was working on. The next to come online will be a joint-venture opening in the City in July.

He also said that it was “very likely” another Comptoir restaurant would be opening in London next year.