Les Trois Garcons

I first visited Les Trois Garcons when it opened around 15 years ago. I loved it then and I still love it now. Shoreditch has changed a lot during this time, but the evidently successful formula here has not. We all probably play the game – if you had a restaurant, how might you choose to furnish it? My answer – if I could get away with it – would certainly be along the lines of what the proprietors of Les Trois Garcons have chosen. The building itself is a former high-Victorian pub and while some vestiges of this décor remain (including the impressive bar and mirrors), the rest of the venue is decked with a range of outrageously stuffed animals lurking in many corners. Handbags hang from the ceiling too. It works. And, if you can’t imagine it, then go. Beyond this part of the experience, the remainder was undoubtedly impressive too. We were greeted warmly and nothing seemed too much trouble for the enthusiastic staff. Our group of six began with cocktails while considering the menu and a perfectly executed Negroni seemed to fit the bill in a place such as this. The food here is classically French, but again prepared flawlessly. A range of starters were selected across our party and while I perhaps chose poorly with my mushroom and artichoke salad, having the option to eat garlic-stuffed snails (as one of our group did) is a rare privilege. With the mains, Les Trois Garcons certainly excelled. Several of our group opted for Chateaubriand steak to share, while I went for the spiced venison. The tenderness of the meat, the emphasis on flavours and the accompanying sides were all first-rate. This was all enjoyed with some good Ribera del Duero, selected from a decent (not too lengthy and certainly not stupidly priced) wine list. Overall, sit back and enjoy – a wonderful atmosphere and experience and at a fair price too.

I first visited Les Trois Garcons when it opened around 15 years ago. I loved it then and I still love it now. Shoreditch has changed a lot during this time, but the evidently successful formula here has not. We all probably play the game – if you had a restaurant, how might you choose to furnish it? My answer – if I could get away with it – would certainly be along the lines of what the proprietors of Les Trois Garcons have chosen. The building itself is a former high-Victorian pub and while some vestiges of this décor remain (including the impressive bar and mirrors), the rest of the venue is decked with a range of outrageously stuffed animals lurking in many corners. Handbags hang from the ceiling too. It works. And, if you can’t imagine it, then go. Beyond this part of the experience, the remainder was undoubtedly impressive too. We were greeted warmly and nothing seemed too much trouble for the enthusiastic staff. Our group of six began with cocktails while considering the menu and a perfectly executed Negroni seemed to fit the bill in a place such as this. The food here is classically French, but again prepared flawlessly. A range of starters were selected across our party and while I perhaps chose poorly with my mushroom and artichoke salad, having the option to eat garlic-stuffed snails (as one of our group did) is a rare privilege. With the mains, Les Trois Garcons certainly excelled. Several of our group opted for Chateaubriand steak to share, while I went for the spiced venison. The tenderness of the meat, the emphasis on flavours and the accompanying sides were all first-rate. This was all enjoyed with some good Ribera del Duero, selected from a decent (not too lengthy and certainly not stupidly priced) wine list. Overall, sit back and enjoy – a wonderful atmosphere and experience and at a fair price too.

This is a classic French restaurant of a very high standard with excellent service at steepish prices. When added to the incredible decore that makes this one of the most beautiful rooms in London the experience becomes sublime!

For my husband's birthday I was looking for someplace romantic, and decided to return to Les Trois Garcons, where we had dined about five years ago. A martini first at Lounge Lover just behind the restaurant was an excellent start. The ecentric decoration and lots of pretty crystal chandeliers add to the fun. The food was Inpeccable. My starter of glazed breast of quail served on Puy lentils, chorizo and apple, with parsnip puree was outstanding. We also had the gratinated Scottish lobster with lobster medallions and lobster butter sauce (fabulous!) and lemon sole fillets cooked with capers,tomato and radish with roasted fennel puree. They even remembered that, when I made the reservation a week earlier, that it was his birthday and bought the dessert with a candle without having to remind them. I was as surprised as he was. An excellent evening all around. I just wish it were closer to the West End.

We went for my best friend's birthday and it was one of the most special nights out I've ever had. The decor is kitsch (stunning but definitely OTT) and I was a bit worried that the food would be flash, or even just disappointing but it was fantastic. We went for the 6 course tasting menu (and accompanying tasting wine menu) and each course was perfect – good combinations of flavour and well laid out too. After the amuse bouche we were served the first course of fois gras* which I have always avoided out of principle, but I was blown away by how sublimely silky smooth it was. It was served with a lovely Sauternes. We had fish, we had duck, we had sorbet and it was all delicious. Even the little sweets they served at the end (including a divine orangey jelly) were all perfect. In addition the staff were lovely and attentive, they talked us through each course and made sure we were ok (not in an obtrusive pushy way). They must have heard us talking about my friend's birthday as his dessert came with a special birthday message on it. This topped off a sublime meal. The whole night out was made up of special little details like this. Actually what REALLY topped off the meal was popping round the corner to Lounge Lover (the bar that is run by Les Trois Garcons) for a couple of cocktails. Perfect night out. Not a cheap night out by any stretch of the imagination but one that I would definietly do again. *The waitress did ask us in advance if there was anything we didn't like or wouldn't eat.

My favourite french restaurant in town. Perfect for a date…you can have a drink after dinner at Lounge Lover (same owner and atmosphere and just around the corner). I went there with a group of 20 people and everything worked really well…the staff was really friendly and professional at the same time. I'm not a french cousine lover…but I nave to admit that this has got a different twist that makes it interesting for people like me too. I love La Trompette in Chiswick too…but Les Trois Garcons is the only one offering unique quirky atmosphere combined with excellent food.

I just want to re-iterate how incredible this place is – food, wine, service, decor: eveything thing is pure excellence with such a personal touch. Although myself and my boyfriend definately don't consider ourselves part of London's elite or contemporary yuppies, the Matre D and other staff were so friendly and not at all patronising to such obviously novice diners. Everyone who claims to have had the experience of their life here is not exaggerating one tiny bit. I would revisit Les Trois Garcons in a heartbeat with a huge smile on my face.