Brasserie Zédel

Piccadilly Circus may be best known for its raft of tourist magnet chain restaurants such as the likes of Pizza Hut and McDonald’s, but there are other ample opportunities for decent quality food in the area at prices that won’t break the bank.   

Proving our theory is Brasserie Zedel, an archetypal brasserie which provides Gallic staples at low prices, and according to one reader, is “just like being in Paris”. Taking up residence in the glitzy surrounds of a cavernous former ballroom dripping with marble-clad charm, Brasserie Zedel offers an extremely reasonable prix fixe at three courses for less than £15 (including steak frites for mains), while the à la carte is full of classic French brasserie dishes.

Start with a hefty bowl of soupe à l’oignon or a clutch of escargots slathered in parsley butter, before moving on to baked trout with almonds, smoked pork belly or something more exotic such as spicy merguez sausage with couscous. Steaks are also perennially popular, from good-value haché with pepper sauce all the way up to a luxe rib-eye with Café de Paris sauce. To finish, the likes of crème brulee and lemon meringue tart are must orders.

The separate gluten-free menu’s “wonderful choice” gets a special mention, while over 30 selections from the all-French wine list are sold in five measures. Accusations of “unexciting” dishes are not unfounded but, for those who want a good French meal in the West End at a reasonable price, Zédel is hard to beat – as one reader puts it, Brasserie Zedel is the place to go for “really good, unpretentious food”.

Factor in the polite and knowledgeable service from the army of wait staff and the bustling, convivial atmosphere and it’s easy to see why Brasserie Zedel remains one of London’s most popular spots for a casual, easy dinner.

Brasserie Zedel is a grand Parisian style brasserie in the heart of Picadilly serving traditional and affordable French food in a large and welcoming setting with striking Art Deco interiors.  The restaurant’s food and exceptional value have made it an institution of sorts with culinary great Pierre Koffman labelling it “ the only real brasserie in London”. The restaurant is hidden away behind the ZL café in a building which also plays host to a classic American bar ‘Bar Americain’ and The Crazy Coqs, a popular live music and cabaret venue.

The a la Carte menu is available from 11.30am until midnight, perfect for pre or post theatre meals. Among the hors d’oeuvres Diners will be pleased to find all the French culinary stereotypes including Frogs legs with confit garlic mayonnaise, snails with garlic and parsley butter, steak tartare and of course French onion soup. Main courses are equally traditional with options such as braised beef and bacon stew in a Burgundy wine sauce with mashed potatoes; grilled tripe sausage with a mustard sauce; and grilled flat-iron steak with a red wine and bone marrow reduction.  Naturally desserts follow suit and guests will struggle to choose between the likes of lemon meringue tart; profiteroles with chocolate sauce; crème Brulee; or a caramelised apple tart for two to share. Every day a different plat du jour is added to the menu comprising French classics such as rabbit in mustard sauce, duck confit with white bean fricassé and salmon en croute with a butter sauce. On Sundays the venue offers a French take on a typical English roast.

The Prix Fixe menu offer astonishingly good value starting at £10.95 for two courses and £14.25 for a three. It usually comprises a shredded carrot starter with Dijon dressing, followed by chopped steak with peppercorn sauce and French fries and finished with a decadent Manjari chocolate tart.