Le Cafe du Marche (22 Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BX) This is one of my all time favourite restaurants. Every time I've visited, it's been a lovely experience all round. Everything about it, from the rustic charm of the interior and the cobbled street leading up to it, to the lighting and gentle piano playing in the background, makes an evening feel special. The côte de boeuf is consistently good and always cooked exactly as requested, and the accompanying potato dishes and vegetables or salad of the day are always of optimum freshness and quality, and cooked or dressed to perfection. Other dishes I have eaten there, including the fish soup, chick pea salad and fish of the day have been good, if not excellent. They have a fantastic and extensive wine list, and the sommelier recommends well. The waiting staff are always pleasant and helpful, and I like the nack they seem to have of judging when you need attending to and when you want to be left alone. I also like the way they care to state that they do not use GM ingredients on their menu. I could nit-pick about the food being a little too salty for my taste or about the service on the odd occasion, but essentially it's a trusty place that never lets me down.
Link to this reviewJune 2009 |