The two driving forces behind some of Liverpool’s best known restaurants have revealed they will open a new French bistro on Castle Street this summer.

Jonathan Poole and Paddy Smith of the Red & Blue Restaurant Group (Bacaro, Salt House Tapas & Hanover Street Social) are set to open ‘Bouchon’ in the site formerly known as Rocket & Ruby.

Menu highlights at Bouchon will include oysters, classic French onion soup, charcuterie boards, rotisserie chicken, sole meunière, tarte Tatin and chocolate fondant.

The Red & Blue Restaurant Group is investing a six-figure sum in developing the city centre eatery, which will create 30 new jobs.

Speaking about the new venture, Jonathan says: “Bouchon is our latest creation and we’re both very proud of the concept and quietly confident that our existing customers across Bacaro, Salt House Tapas and Hanover Street Social will become fans too.”

Paddy adds: “It’s an exciting time for the company after a lousy 14 months of inactivity for us and all of our colleagues in the industry.

“We’re so pleased to be back and for myself and Jonny, Bouchon is a culmination of all the good things we’ve learned about hospitality over three decades with our roots steeped in French cuisine.

“My early career as a chef enabled me to experience roles in the Caribbean and working with five star cuisine right through latterly to more amenable, inclusive and affordable cuisine.

“Bouchon is very much that… a French bistro in its truest form… serving comfort food, open continuously morning to night at moderate prices, housing an active bar where people gather for food, drink and lively conversation.”

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