Read all about it! Gazette is so French you could almost forget you’re in South West London.

The Venue
Gazette is part bar, part restaurant and part local deli, situated in the shadow of two of Battersea’s fashionable apartment blocks overlooking the river. The bar area is small and cosy in the winter months opening up onto a patio decked out with tables and chairs all year round. Patio heaters make it popular with smokers and in the summer this suntrap really comes into its own with a view of the river. Despite being located within walking distance of Wandsworth Town and Clapham Junction train stations, this is a secluded residential spot away from the hustle and bustle and isn’t the easiest place to find for non-locals.

The decor has a French edge with a couple of leather sofas placed near a large flat screen television with low coffee tables displaying everything from Paris Match to the Times. The rest of the bar consists of tables and chairs that tend to get crowded on Saturday nights with diners and drinkers sitting almost on top of one another. For serious dining, the mezzanine level is more organised and there is an elegant room for private parties.

The Atmosphere
The crowd at Gazette is an international one, many of whom the owner seems to be on first name terms with. The atmosphere remains relaxed yet upbeat even when France are playing in the football or rugby when it becomes nigh on impossible to get served. Dannii Minogue has been known to drop by and if you want to make a glass of rose and a bowl of chips last all evening nobody seems to mind. Weekday evenings can be quiet in colder weather.

The Food
Opening as early as 8am Gazette caters for locals’ hunger throughout the day from its continental breakfasts through to filling main meals in the evening. The menu is seasonal and changes regularly but offers fine French dishes like rabbit terrine, fois gras, steak tartar and pork leg with red wine sauce. Provincial cooking is the key here and dishes are simple and good quality.

The Drink
The wine list at Gazette is impressive with well over 150 bottles and if you need a recommendation then you would do well to ask the owner as sometimes the young waiting staff are inexperienced. It is by no means cheap but you can rely on finding something new and interesting on every visit.

The bottled beers are largely European and they have an organic beer on tap from the Greenwich Meantime brewery.

The Last Word
Gazette is a little piece of provincial France hidden well away from the more popular and commercial parts of Battersea. For great wine, a friendly chat and occasionally a sun-drenched terrace then this is worth a visit.

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