Le Petit Citron Expands with New Fulham Site
Emily and Lawrence Hartley launch La Bouffe on Wandsworth Bridge Road
December 15, 2025
The husband-and-wife team behind Hammersmith’s acclaimed French bistro Le Petit Citron have announced the opening of a second restaurant, La Bouffe, in Fulham.
Emily and Lawrence Hartley, who founded Le Petit Citron in 2016, say the expansion reflects both the loyalty of their customers and their investment in technology that has helped them buck the wider hospitality downturn.
Drawing on family holidays in Provence, the Hartleys have built a reputation for authentic French dining. Between them, they bring more than 50 years of hospitality experience, having previously run restaurants in St Margaret’s and Richmond. Over the past nine years, Le Petit Citron has become a fixture on the Shepherd’s Bush Road, earning multiple awards and a recommendation in the 2025 Good Food Guide.
While more than three dozen London restaurants closed in the first half of 2025—including Michelin-starred venues such as Lyle’s and The Five Fields—the Hartleys have managed to grow. They credit their success to a small, efficient team and the adoption of advanced kitchen technology.
Emily Hartley said, “We are so excited and proud to have opened a second French bistro in the Hammersmith and Fulham area. It’s testament to our fantastic team and incredibly loyal customers that we’ve been able to expand and bring great French food to more diners in London.”
Lawrence Hartley explained how technology has underpinned their operations. He said, “We rely heavily on technology in our restaurants now. As a digital-first, connected restaurant, my team and I know largely what’s going on in the kitchen and on the floor regardless of whether we’re in the restaurant or not.”
La Bouffe on Wandsworth Bridge Road
The couple adopted real-time monitoring from London-based firm Telemetry, which uses sensors to track kitchen equipment 24/7. This has helped prevent costly breakdowns and stock losses.
Piers Skinner, MD of Telemetry, praised the Hartleys as “a fantastic example of dedicated, innovative hospitality entrepreneurs,” adding that their use of technology shows how restaurants can unlock new opportunities.
The interior of La Bouffe
Between their two sites, the Hartleys now employ more than 30 staff and serve around 500 covers per week across Hammersmith and Fulham.
La Bouffe is now open on Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, offering diners another chance to enjoy Provençal-inspired French cuisine in west London.
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