Excellent but slightly hidden!
Being regulars of Bucci, Gazette and Harrisons my wife and I eat out in Balham maybe two or three times a week. This time we wanted to try somewhere new, a quick google found Poulet Rouge, a mere two minute walk from our flat.
The concept is similar to it's exceptional sibling restaurant; Cattle Grid (but with less moo and more cluck). A straight forward menu with interesting variety and a very nice price.
Having had game chips as a starter, I had a half chicken with chicken jus and fries whilst my wife had the pumpkin soup (from the special's board) with sweet potato fries. The chicken was cooked to perfection with delicious crispy skin and juicy meat; it was clear this had been a happy bird (later corroborated with a visit to their website where we found out all birds are from the famous Swainson House Farm). The fries were Cattle Grid-esque, and the cajun sweet potato fries were some of the best we had ever tried (crispy and not soggy and despite the cajun seasoning retained the unique taste without being overloaded in fat or oil). My wife was very impressed with the pumpkin soup and we can only hope this wasn't just included to coincide with Halloween..!
The service was prompt, friendly and personal; we were told of the breakfast Galletes and returned the following Saturday; despite being the only ones in the place at breakfast prime time, I was left feeling satisfied from a Gallette containing crispy bacon, perfectly scrambled eggs and smokey mushrooms.
I would strongly recommend a visit; quality food with a personal service that I would consider to be on a par with some of Balham's other restaurants but at half the price.
My only concern is that it is on the wrong side of Balham and not enough people know about this place. If management were to spread the word within South London, I would have no doubts this would be as full as Cattle Grid for evenings and as busy as places like Milk for breakfast!