Robert's review of Elena's L'Etoile

Yes I know its an institution! but I have to say the last time I went, which was over 15 years ago, my guest- a very important client I seem to remember-handed over to the waiter the biggest cockroach I have ever seen! so its been a while since I have had the nerve to go back. On Friday night I was with my lovely wife and two friends and it was one of our friends who suggested we go, I told my story but they insisted. The good news is no insects large or small. It is a funny old place, oblivious to fashion and stubbornly refusing to change what it does and how it does it. The staff are as old as the paint work but boy are they quick! orders are taken quickly and with a smile, empty plates don't hang around long. One of my friends said “If you stopped in some small town en route to Paris this is the kind of restaurant you would probably find” and thats a pretty good summary: reliable french cooking of the old school, not very exciting or different with a wine list to match. Good for older French relatives or friends bad for anyone under the age of 30 or over the age of ten.