Le Cafe du Marche

I went to the cafe du marche with my wife for a special occasion and it was just the right place. The restaurant is hard to find as it is on a narrow back street. The food was really good and the main course really stood out : I had pigeon (on special) cooke din a puff pastry with egg, nuts, veg and harissa sauce. it was an unusual comination.

THe starter was good with langue de boeuf sauce verte, though I was disapointed it wasn't served hot as they do in France. The dessert were nice and quite big.

It was really difficult to choose from the menu as everything looked so good.

THe services was excellent, the staff very friendly )almost too friendly and talkative at times) and they offered tap water, stiil or sparkling water, which made me feel good.

There was no wine for less than 17.50 I think , but the wine was excelent.

I also appreciate the fact that it's a menu only option at £33 so less stress about choosing and calculating.

My wife's food was also great: magret de canard with red fruit.

Definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone.
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olivier b
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, May 04, 2009

We were a party of 7 last Saturday evening. The restaurant was about two thirds full (a sign of the times?). I have eaten in the Cafe on several previous occasions and have generally found the food to be excellent. It was disappointing to find that the menu was the same as the last time I was there about 1 month ago apart from the daily specials. The first courses were fine but the mains were very poor.

Four members of the party had steaks which were not cooked as requested and which were distributed incorrectly. My Calamari with Chrorizo was definitely sans the Chorizo and was utterly tasteless. The deserts were ok but rather annoyingly the waiters began clearing away the plates whilst some of my party were still eating. Overall a big disappointment.
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Stephen Pink
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Sunday, May 03, 2009

I was taken to this restaurant for a birthday meal so expectations were high. I am very pleased to say that this place did not dissppoint. The decor was simple yet effective, the atmosphere was lively and although the place was slightly cramped it added to the buzz (be prepared for lots of clatter, chatter, and a smooth pianist tinkling away (although it was in no way cheesey piano playing)). The service was fantastic and so one didn't mind payng the extra 15% service charge added to the bill. The food was fairly expensive but worth every penny as far as I'm concerned. The beef was cooked to perfection, the sauce was beautiful and the roast potatoes were lovely and were not over salted as one sometimes finds in french restaurants. (The starters and deserts were also delicious.)

A great restaurant and one which I will definately return to, although not too often with the prices as they are the menu slightly limmited. I thouroughly reccommend it!
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Amelia
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 25, 2009

We had dinner at the Café this evening and it was fabulous. We found no grounds for prior reviewers' complaints about "Gallic arrogance" or over-salting of the food. We had the soup du jour and the gnocchi to start, and the sea bass and venison for the main course -- everything was delicious and the portions were just right. We stuck with the house wine because we're grad students on a budget; it was fine. All the staff were exceptional, very attentive and willing to explain the menu and offer suggestions. The dining room downstairs was intimate but by no means suffocating; we were fortunate enough to have the pianist and bassist in the house, which was a treat. Do watch out for the hidden charges (the venison was an extra £4), which, along with the tip, can add up rather quickly. On the other hand, if you've already committed to spending £40 on your meal, do you really care? Just relax and enjoy the evening. No complaints here.
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Andrew Tyler
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, January 15, 2009

Ate there on Saturday with a friend. We were seated quickly and waitress was friendly. Was immediately impressed with the wine list which was quite extensive. We both had Soup de Poisson to start followed by the Cote de Boeuf. The soup was excellent and the beef was extremely good too although perhaps a little bit overdone for medium-rare. I thought the fixed-price menu was good value at 33 pounds a head and I will return again.
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John Edwards
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, October 23, 2008

This was my third visit to le Café; previous occasions have been corporately funded, whereas this was a social event. Unfortunately there wasn’t any dinner jazz on the evening we visited, something I was certainly looking forward to. However, the quality of the food and the charming service just about made up for that.

My starter of French onion soup was close to perfection, although I was a little disappointed with my own choice of main course of gnocchi. I only have myself to blame; the steaks were the obvious choice in hindsight, while the fish of the day won plaudits from others in our party. I do wonder though why a restaurant that is so overtly French would stray from the food for which it is recognized and visited. Another anomaly was melanzane on the starter menu. I would also echo some of the criticism of other reviewers regarding the supplementary charges on the ‘best’ things on the menu.

These are minor quibbles, however. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would definitely go back, but will be sure to check the musicians are in before I book.
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Forth Bridge - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, September 22, 2008

I have been to this restaurant several times over the years. I dined there last evening and was delighted to find the standards of food, service and atmosphere were still very good. What an achievement for everyone concerned!
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Jean Davison
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 07, 2008

Dont agree with Michael review. I have been going there for nearly 8 years and consistency is one off the key at the cafe. As for your discrimanatories remark on the gallic arrogance it is far from justified. And in fact they got brazilian, australian, polish and many other nationalities. Are you sure you went to le cafe du marche???
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Eric
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, January 10, 2008

Tucked away down a little alley. A perfect very french style restaurant. Fantastic menu and food was exquisite. Waiters all french and extrememly helpful, especially as I have a wheat allergy and they were very willing to please. Definitely go for any occasion.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Can't agree with Michael of Clerkenwell - I've eaten there on numerous occasions and it has been consistently excellent (the beef in particular!). As for Gallic arrogance - all part of the service and so long as you give as good as you get, everyone's happy!
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David, Blackfriars
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 13, 2007