L'Absinthe
what the critics say
Matthew Norman - 9/10
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In a nutshell: good and honest starters and main courses, interesting wine list, could do more on desserts.
I went last week with may partner to celebrate her birthday. We had onion soup (strangely sweet but good nevertheless) and chicken liver pate (very good) as starters, duck confit and steak and frites as main course (both excellent) and pear tart and colonel (lemon sorbet with vodka) as desserts. The tart seemd and tasted like supermarket stuff (the cook can certainly do more on this, what about a classic tarte tatin?), while the sorbet was OK, if uninspiring, to end the meal.
I drunk a glass of pinot gris from Alsace and a glass of French pinot noir, both very good. The final bill was 66 quid, a honest price for London.
We were both positively surprised by the quality of ingredients (desserts excluded) and the friendly service. Will definitely go back.
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Giuliano
Overall rating 
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
I am amazed at the glowing reviews this place has been getting, both here and recently in the press. Truly dumbstruck.
On my visit I was really excited about the place, it's setting and it's look are great. It felt really good to be welcomed into a busy and bustling neighbourhood venue.
What a pity the food was so lack lustre. I had almost exactly what Matthew Norman had in his recent Guardian review (I went before this came out), and my take on the quality and value leaves me questioning Mr Norman's taste buds.
My duck confit was flabby, not crispy. The onion soup was way oversalted and frankly the serving size was ridiculous. I rarely want to drink a pint of soup before my main course, and in this case would have ingested three days worth of salt into the bargain.
Coupled to the interminable wait for my first course, and a total bill of 137 quid for three course and a bottle of wine for two, and I left feeling so disappointed.
If I were a cynic, I would begin to believe in conspiracies over the esteem this venue seems to be held in.
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David Jenkins - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Joins my list of favourite restaurants and I look forward to returning soon. Great value wine list, simple but delicious food (especially puddings) and lovely staff. All very French and thoughtfully decorated. It's difficult to have a better meal for the price (~£80) in London. Comparable to Andrew Edmunds in many ways.
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Overall rating 
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Situated opposite the excellent Princess of Wales pub in Chalcott Road this is not simply a bistro but also a wine shop where owner and Maitre, D' J-C Slowik (or JC to his many supporters) is able to showcase and share his passion for wine. JC, as many will know, has formerly been seen up front in many of Marco Pierre-White's London restaurants and brings more than just his learning’s from there to L’Absinthe.
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Andy Daniels
Overall rating 
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This is a lovely local restaurant with excellent and friendly service and a fantastic cosy atmosphere. It is very reasonably priced which is such a change from the usual London restaurants. The night I was there, it was absolutely packed and buzzing and yet the waiters had time to smile and be friendly. The food is simple but delicious bistro fare, perfect for an informal night out. I will definitely be back.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 29, 2008
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