Mon Plaisir

Mon Plaisir has been dishing up French bistro food since General de Gaulle dined here in the 1940s; with its quirky Gallic objets there’s something endearingly nostalgic about the whole experience. The ambience is warm, the French staff efficient & friendly, the regional French wines enticing, & the kitchen cuts the moutarde. The food may not be ambitious, but freshly baked breads are always appreciated, & other treats might include crunchy emerald-green asparagus topped with a perfectly poached egg, duck & foie gras pâté with a pleasing crust, & a main course of tender pan-fried onglet accompanied by gooey caramelised shallots & a rich red-wine reduction. Fish dishes include accurately timed roast cod. To finish, save room for the ripe, indulgent cheeseboard – an advert for France’s regional diversity. This is a fine place to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, though some find the experience a wee bit expensive.