The French Pantry

Right in the centre of Ludlow, on Tower Street, is the French Pantry, a small and very popular French bistro type restaurant. Its a good idea to book, as we must have heard at least 30 people either on the phone or as walk-​ins being turned away, because the restaurant was full. The evening menu was a set price for either 2 or 3 courses, we went for the two courses (£20), and judging by the portion sizes we were served, neither of us could have hoped to manage three courses, to say the portions were generous was an understatement!
Plumping for the main/​dessert option, we picked from a fairly comprehensive choice that included confit of duck, rabbit cassoulet etc. My wife went for the Coq au vin, a generous bowl of perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken, with accompanying crisp garlic potatoes, a stunning main course. I went for the seafood and chorizo paella, with a haddock fillet, again enough for food for two people, with generous portions of squid and prawns. After such quality food, we both could have easily stopped there, but the nature of the deal, means you have paid for two courses. Again a good choice of desserts, between us we had the chocolate brownie with caramel sauce and the Alsace plum tart, again two wonderful dishes.
I couldn’t really fault the French Pantry, a good atmosphere, great food, generous portions, helpful, unobtrusive service, and an extensive range of wine and beer; what’s not to like?

‘Pantry’ is a good name for this shop, it definitely has the feel of a manor house’s larder, which shelves stacked high with jars and packets. French cuisine dominates but there’s also selections of pasta so it’s not too narrow-​minded.
The service is friendly– regular customers seem to get very chatty treatment, though the staff are also accustomed to window-​shopping tourists who might need a little persuading.
The prices are a bit on the high side, though I may just think that as a non-​Ludlow-​native– you may well think the prices are Normal-​For-​Ludlow.
The back room is entirely given over to Harlington Wine —
— who stock a wide variety of different European wines. You might catch one of Harlington Wine’s representatives depending on when you’re there, if you do then you’ll be talking to a wine expert.