Chez Liline

We ate at Chez Liline last night after spending an embarassing amount of time living in the area without doing so.

It was superb. A top quality meal, at a restaurant which despite being far from full still had a very pleasant ambiance. Fish of this quality would cost you a great deal more elsewhere.

We had the king prawn and tiger prawn starters, one in a delicious green curry style sauce the other topped off nicely with ginger, garlic in a tangy sauce.

Then the fish selection - again excellent in a broth- and a superb Lobster Mauricienne with ginger, chilli and tomato.

This was finished off with an excellent red - Fleurie Duboeuf - proving the restaurant knows how to pick its wine well.

All in all a brilliant meal, with friendly service.

Living in Stroud Green the problem has always been that we opt for one of the other restuarants on the road for convenience, speed or often because going out to eat fish seems expensive by comparison to a pizza, Turkish or Thai.

However, I came out feeling that I had dined very well at a very good price and would heartily recommend those who haven't tried Chez Liline to do so soon.
Comment on this reader review

SL
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 16, 2008

I recently rediscovered this restaurant and felt compelled to review the fantastic food. We shared both starter and main course from the specials menu as were unable to choose between them. The smoked halibut with mango was particularly good as a starter, unusual with a clean, fresh taste. The main courses of red mullet and swordfish were fantastic, particularly the tamarind sauce.

It is a shame that this little restaurant on Stroud Green Rd only five minutes form Finsbury Park tube station is so quiet. There is no trendy decor but the food speaks for itself. French style cuisine with a Mauritian twist of spicy and exotic flavours. All on the base of excellent fresh fish from the shop next door.

The wine list was excellent and aided by the knowledge of staff who provided an excellent recommendation.

I would highly recommend this restaurant for the top quality seafood at a very reasonable price. Just don't be put off by the lack of other customers which can be a problem, particularly mid week.
Comment on this reader review

Sam - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 20, 2008

I was introduced to this restaurant by a really good friend of mine and i would like to spread the word that it was awesome.

While waiting for our freshly cooked meal, i looked around at the ambience that excelled from the comfortable surroundings.

Every dish that went by - as we tried to make a choice, i thought...why don't i order that one but was even appealing was the fact that i was very pleased with not only the presentation of my food but with the exquisite taste as it landed on my tongue.

Thank you friend G. I enjoyed the pleasant company and the food. Hope we can do this again real soon.

Chef....job well done.
Comment on this reader review

IonaF - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 22, 2007

A group of six of us went for a xmas celebration and the food was the best I've eaten all year. The fish was very fresh, in particular the squid and ginger starter was delicious. Highly recommended.
Comment on this reader review

Jo
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, December 30, 2006

Having been quite excited about the reviews we had seen on this restaurant, we decided to go in for their 'Set Menu' advertised in the window. Once seated in the deserted restaurant, the waiter bought us over the menus. We had to specifically ask for the 'Set Menu' and felt that the waiter was quite put out about this (The next table that came in also had to ask for this menu)

The starters were lovely, but we were very disappointed with the main courses- very salty, and not what was described on the menu. When something was said to the waiter he delivered apologies from the chef.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Thursday, November 16, 2006

Went there for a meal last night and were basically disappointed. Despite there being a 'special prix fixé' displayed in the window the waiter didn't bring this menu to us until we asked.

The starters were pleasant enough (the squid was very good, the mussels very generously doused with chilli), but the mains were so smothered in sauce you could have been eating pork or chicken for all you knew. My other halfs red snapper was drowning in what I think was neat soy sauce - incredibly salty and not really edible, whilst my main was good fish, but in a thick vaguely garlic sauce, described as aoili - but not like I've ever made or had before. We did comment to the waiter on the red snapper and he offered us a free dessert (one - as one was included in the set menu). The desserts were straightforward - creme brulée which didn't taste of vanilla - and lemon sorbet - nicely presented but probably not home made. Would I go there again? Not in a hurry.
Comment on this reader review

Jeremy Finch
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Thursday, November 16, 2006

went there a sunday night for dinner with 2 friends. We were given a nod from the waiter[no smile] as we entered the deserted place. Sat down and after about 10 mins were brought the menu[well paper on clipboard] and we had to prompt the man for anything we wanted. Food was nice, but failed to meet our expectations of tasting Mauritian cuisine, away from home. Yes maybe we expected the local flavour or being hyper-critical because it does boast itself as: Mauritian seafood restaurant! But these dishes can be found in some upmarket fusion restaurant at better prices, in a better atmosphere, with better service. I would not recommend this place where anybody would like to go to get a taster of Mauritius. Heard of a Mauritian restaurant in Norbury. Just maybe.....However, chef was great with limited resources. Most of the things we ordered was not available, but this relayed to us after 30 mins waiting. Just a scam with a mauritian name we think!
Comment on this reader review

pankaj
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Monday, May 15, 2006

Myself and my boyfriend discovered this resturaunt after phoning 118 looking for good fish resturaunts in london and we absolutely love the place. Im quite baffled by the reviews as we have always found the staff to be really friendly and the food is amazing. I love fish and have found it really difficult to find a really good fish resturaunt in london, however Chez Lillne always does the trick.

It is also excellent value for money which is always a plus. And i should no after me and my boyfriend went to one top hotel resturaunt and nearly paid £95 for a lobster! I think some people will alwways find something to complain about. If you want a really good fish resturaunt with excellent service at a reasonable price go to Chez Liline.
Comment on this reader review

Lynda
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 19, 2006

We went for our late Valentines meal on Saturday 18th February as we both had a busy work week. It took an age to get a menu but we ordered eventually.

Two hours later we still had not received our main course and gave up.

We were very polite but enough was enough and we were told that a chef was ill. It might have helped if we had been told that when we got there.

My husband felt very disappointed and felt that he had let me down but it was not his fault. We will not be returning which is a shame as we have heard good things about this great local restaurant.
Comment on this reader review

Gizzy
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Saturday, February 18, 2006

Went to this fantastic restaurant for a Christmas meal. The food was delicious, the service was excellent. Couldn't recommend this place enough. I would really recommend the Malaysian Fish Curry.
Comment on this reader review

Nicole Adams
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, January 05, 2006