Jessica Goldstein whets her appetite with a taste of Le Café du Marché
The Venue
Romance is not dead, let me tell you. It can be found nestled in a cobbled back street of Farringdon, and it is called, Le Café du March. For a gloriously old school, ‘Lady and the Tramp’ style evening of romance this is the place for you.
As you enter the restaurant (the front door is a little difficult to locate) you are greeted by a waiter in a waistcoat waiting to escort you.
Notice the brick walls bedecked in old prints and paintings as you are led through a dimly-lit labyrinth to reach your table which is of course complete with a candle and small handful of roses.
The Food/Drinks
The menu is classically French. You’re hit with feeling of holiday warmth as you read ‘La soupe du jour’, ‘Le plat du jour’, ‘La tarte du jour’.
The food is tasty. I had grilled sardines with shaved fennel and pomegranate seeds which was in truth a little bland but a nice way to start the meal.
My dining companion had a rabbit terrine which was meltingly moreish. I ate most of his and cast mine to the side after a couple of bites.
The best dish was my hen pheasant and went down a treat accompanied with a lovely couple of glasses of crisp white.
The Wordrobe Verdict
We had a gorgeous evening. I loved the pomp, the romance and the sheer bloody ‘Frenchness’ of it all. The staff were charming and throughout the evening a lovely, quiet buzz of energy and atmosphere filled the candlelit room.
This place is great for dates and also for parents coming to visit the city. They’ll think you’re terribly grown up and then you can scamper off after dinner to meet your friends at a filthy Farringdon bar. Ideal.
Make it happen
Where: 22 Charterhouse Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 6DX
Bookings: Click here or phone 020 7608 1609 to make a reservation.
