Le P'tit Normand

I went here for lunch last weekend and was blown away. Onglet with sauce Bordelaise. If you know of a restaurant in the UK that even serves this dish I'll bet you fifty pounds it doesn't come close to the version I had here.

There are side-street bistros in Paris that do not seek (because they do not need) Michelin or similar corporate endorsement. They are confident that they are doing the right thing, as are their patrons. Such is this place. Maybe it shouldn't be in Southfields ... but if it wasn't it wouldn't be so special.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

We live around the corner from this piece of heaven. We decided to go there on date night last week and we were absolutely blown away. It was quiet, the hostess was a fantastic waitress and the food was just outstanding! The atmosphere was great for a rainy evening and all in all a very very pleasant meal. My boyfriend isn't one to carry on about food, but he was so forthcoming with compliments. Although I havn't been in London for long, this has given me faith in an otherwise below-par restaurant scene. Will definately be back!
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Katherine - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

We have been to this restaurant a few times and whilst we have had some good experience with fantastic quality food our most recent visit was definitely a disappointment. The waitresses were friendly but clearly very inexperienced and could not advise us on anything. They had to refer to the "manager" for everything and he was quite overwhelmed by the amount of work. Service was very slow and the food over cooked and over seasoned. When we arrived the restaurant was relatively quiet but service was still slow and when it got busier the situation of course deteriorated. We noticed that the owner, Kristina was not there and perhaps this made a difference. We had a table behind a screen next to the front door and when a lady with a walking stick tried to get into the restaurant she nearly knocked down the screen onto us. It also didn't help that the couple next to us had a heated argument whilst there! Finally when we asked for the bill, it took over 20 minutes for them to present it to us. Very disappointing experience.
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Sandra
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

A slightly frumpy looking, internally faux timbered restaurant sequestered within an unassuming Southfields shopping parade.

The French usually belittle with ‘petit(e)’. Think of ‘Petit Chablis’, for example, where the prefix warns the economically aware about a loss of sourcing pedigree. But in this cosily smelling, thickly carpeted haven it meant endearing, especially considering that l’addition was petit to boot. Almost elastically hospitable Polish restaurateur Kristina may have been able to offer such obliging value because of savings rendered by the lighting, dimmed so low that we saw eachothers tannically stained smiles in sepia.
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Douglas
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Last night my boyfriend took me to this resturant for my birthday. Gosh what an awesome night we had !! I cannot fault a thing. We started with a selection from their cheese board (20 wonderful cheeses to choose from) and ordered a bottle of red wine. For mains I had the Prawns which were big, fat juicy things in a creamy caper sauce and my boyfriend had the steak and peppercorn sauce which he said just melted in his mouth. For desert we shared the Creme Brulee which is to die for. The crispy sugar topping gives way to the creamiest, lightest custard infused with lavendar - yes lavendar. It was like summer on a plate.

The service was excellent and our host was friendly, attentive and charming with his french accent. We werent rushed, nor were we ignored - it was perfect.

This has now become our new favourite local resturant.

Do yourselves a favour - give it a try !!
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Kirsten
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 21, 2007

We returned on Friday (our second visit in a month) with a group of 6. Once again the food was delicious and reasonably priced for what you get. The owner is simply charming and nothing was too much trouble. Everyone had great food and there wasn't one complaint. The cheese board is gob smacking as is the waiter's knowledge of it.

Service was excellent which is more than I can say for the Earl Spencer close by!

The restuarant was a little quiet for a Friday but this is probably because people don't know about it!!! The exterior and interior do not do it jujstice.

Do try it and support your local restaurants.

We would definitely recommend Le P'tit Normand and will be returning.
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Victoria Grundy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 03, 2007

Wow, I have been unable to stop thinking about the mouth watering pork belly I had here. Deliciously succulent meat, crispy crackling. It was beautifully presented, a feast for the eyes well before it tantalised the tastebuds.

This was my first visit to the restaurant, and we were warmly welcomed, so I will definitely go back.
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AJ
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Went to this restaurant for the first time a few months ago, recommended by friends. It was the most delicious French food I've had in the UK. The meals are carefully thought out, with delicate flavours and succulent meat and seafood. Although not cheap, it would be perfect for a special occassion. The cheese selection was impressive and choice of mains tantalising. The service was also very friendly and efficient, we never felt neglected throughout the meal. I have had better desserts, however the restaurant at the time was going through a revamping of their desserts, so I would put it down to timing.
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J.P
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, August 24, 2007

I'm embarrassed to say it's taken me over 5 years of living round the corner from Le Pet't Normand for me to actually make it for dinner. I've always known of its strong reputation for cooking but the look and feel of the place has put me off. How superficial of me. My loss.

We had a great dinner - wine was lovely and very reasonably priced (good Muscadet for £16), main courses were really exceptional - lamb and steak perfectly cooked with great dauphinoise, and again at very fair price. It was a Tuesday and I think our starter and pudding suffered (only slightly) from the lower number of customers that night, meaning food was pre-prepared. The starter was only warm but did taste fantastic once we had a hot one, and the pudding was made by the waiter as the chef had left for the evening. Not to say it wasn't lovely, but I'd prefer the dish to have been cooked fresh to order.

All in all I'll be there very soon again. Very well prepared, very French cuisine, and very good price. Glad it's round the corner from me...!
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SB, Southfields - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 21, 2007

We live in the area and have been to this restaurant 5 times now since it opened just over a year ago. For us it is the best French restaurant in SW London and whilst its prices have been increasing it is still a little gem with food cooked with imagination flair and love. The Polish hostess is also very freindly and welcoming.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, July 15, 2007