21 Monmouth Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2H 9DD
0872 148 4037
The ViewLondon Review
Mon Plaisir may be the oldest French restaurant in London but its food continues to go from strength to strength.The VenueOpen for more than fifty years, the design of the restaurant was intended to capture the decadence of France in the Forties. Draped from head to toe with French memorabilia, the Tricolore announces the restaurant's lineage to the street, whilst inside bistro posters, banquette seating and a pewter-topped bar (which has the distinction of once having graced the lounge of a Lyonaisse brothel) continue on the Gallic theme.
The AtmosphereMon Plaisir has a laid-back bistro feel. Diners sit fairly close to one another and its proximity to London theatreland combined with its excellent reputation means that Mon Plaisir is consistently busy throughout the evening.
The staff seem very pleasant but have a habit of talking openly and rather disparagingly about their customers in French, seemingly oblivious to the fact that they may not be the only bilingual people in the room. This seems a little rude at first, but hey, at least it's authentic.
The FoodClassic French dishes such as the terrine of rabbit and foie gras or the shank of pork confit are beautifully cooked here and the food easily rivals that of Mon Plaisir’s counterparts across the Channel. The pre and post theatre menus are excellent value for money as are the monthly regional menus which include classic French dishes such as a delicious crumble of mussels and fennel, and for the more adventurous, pigs' trotters.
The DrinkMon Plaisir is as passionate about drink as it is about food. Start your evening with the owner’s rather brilliant invention, a glass of champagne with a splash of syrup of violets, from the South of France. Incredibly subtle, the syrup does not alter the colour or taste of the champagne, but merely lends it a delicate floral aroma. Work your way through a reasonable and well-chosen wine list before finishing the meal with one of the herbal digestifs or a Tisane.
The Last WordCheerful and fun with delicious food, Mon Plaisir is a must for lovers of French cooking but if you're fluent in French make sure that you don't listen too closely to the waiting staff's conversations.
Mon Plaisir has been reviewed by 5 users