Tipped

French food, snotty attitude

August 03, 2007

I'm not a big fan. The food is fairly trad French cuisine with high aspirations but the Fois Gras is a little greasy and the mange tout are a bit soggy. The wine list is expensive but good quality. As an experience it could be a lot more satisfying if the staff didn't behave like they are doing you a massive favour by serving you. Plus try getting a table for a weekend at 8.00 as opposed to 10.30 and you'll need to book well in advance (try a couple of weeks). There's more authentic French food about a third cheaper pretty much all over London, but those places don't have diamonique encrusted stuffed animals. Essentially it's an old school Chelsea eaterie in Bethnal Green - full of local media types. My advice, try the Boisdale on Bishopsgate.

Tags: french cuisine, bethnal green, wacky restaurants

Eccentric eating experience

August 02, 2007

Excellent restaurant - very modern European with French influence. Superb wine list and set menu on week nights is very good value. The decor is quite something - eccentric meets ecletic. Well worth a visit.

Well, actually since writing this, I've been back twice and have to say - it's gone downhill. The setting is as eccentric as ever, but the quality of the food has deteriorated - and the service has lost its edge (we had a disagreement with the Sommelier over some champagne which had definitely lost its fizz).

Now I just think it's a bit over-priced for the experience you get.

Tags: french, eccentric