1 Sandell Street,
Waterloo,
London,
SE1 8UH
0872 148 2998
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
This bar/restaurant is in a small pedestrian street near shopping central, which is almost Parisian in its quaintess and its high concentration of groomed females.
Inside, Auberge is quite mellow and discreetly lit. Pale light and electric blue lamp tones (sounds a bit sus, but it works) create a relaxing atmosphere. There are unfussy tables by the window and banquette seating further inside on the ground floor. Nothing obtrusive about the setting rears its head to interfere with your dining.
This would make it quite a good place for a first date: it’s not too full on but it’s tranquil enough to foster intimacy. My companion and I played ‘spot the first daters’ during the short wait between ordering and eating, and spotted two tables of people who seemed to actually be enjoying the often-crucifying ordeal of the early date.
The menu is short but well designed and varied. There’s an express section, presumably for working lunchers, and the food is generally French with a twist. For example, the Moules Thailandaises, which were delicious, warm, aromatic and spicy.
Had I been feeling more traditional there were four other ways of taking one’s mussels, which generally featured cream, wine and garlic in various permutations, and were thus more classically Français.
There are soup, pate, mousse and tartlet starters, a vegetarian section and a main course featuring a cheering selection of pork chicken, lamb, duck, tuna, salmon and butterfish. It arrived quickly and it was competently executed. I had firm, fresh salmon and my companion had something with too much salad in it, but he appeared to enjoy it, and it looked pretty.
Downstairs there’s a bar, which I liked less than the restaurant-slightly sparsely decorated, and so a bit too much like a basement utility room without the washing machines. Not much atmosphere. But it was quite chilled, and would have been adequate for a quiet drink.
A pleasant, relaxed place for a good meal.
Auberge has been reviewed by 9 users