Chez Tonton

Eric (the owner) has created a wonderful French restaurant: for a few hours you can easily forget that you are in New Barnet and pretend that you have popped over to France. The staff are always welcoming and helpful; the ambience gallic; and the meal a delight. Hubert (the chef) certainly knows how to cook: yesterday evening’s cod served with a florentine sauce was sublime. The food at Chez Tonton just keeps getting better (and it has always been good). The food and wine are both superbly tasty and reasonably priced. It has been our favourite restaurant in north London since we moved to New Barnet in 1994 and though we regularly eat elsewhere we have yet to find another restaurant that can compete with the excellent quality of the dining experience to be had for the same money at Chez Tonton.
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J
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, March 28, 2008

Just had a delicious celebration lunch here.

Food and service great; it was like getting off the 307 bus and arriving in France
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la flaneuse - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 03, 2007

we have now tried 3 french restaurants in the area since moving to the area.many people have told us about chez tonton......my husband and i have decided we have found the best one to eat and take our family and friends and it is not here.....the service was slow and waiting staff very rude....the food was cold the 1st time it arrived and then not as good as we thought it was going to be......infact it was as if it had been re heated and not fresh..........we would recomend chez gianni
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Sunday, May 20, 2007

My wife and I have been eating in Chez Tonton since it opened (about 20 years ago) and have always found it to be an excellent restaurant. The food is brilliant. The place feels really French, and Eric and his staff are charm itself. The prices are very reasonable compared to similar establishments.
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David from East Barnet
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, October 14, 2006

My wife and I visited this restaurant last night for the first time. We spend a lot of time in France and were interested to see how it compared to restaurants in France. How surprised we were! The service was very good and staff very attentive. For starters we chose grilled gambas and chevre salad - they were both well presented and delicious. For main course we chose the sea bass cooked with herbs and duck breast with a peach and mango sauce. Sea bass is my favourite dish in France and I was keen to compare especially as there had been some negative reviews on this website with regard to this dish. I however found my fish cooked to perfection and could not fault it. My wife's duck was also cooked to perfection and very tasty. There was a good selection of desserts on offer, some extremely tempting, however due to the generosity of the portions we didn't make it to the dessert course! What impressed me the most? When I asked Eric, the owner, if they served half bottles of wine, he replied "No, but take a whole bottle, drink what you can and I will only charge you for what you have drunk" - how accomodating is that! We will certainly be returning to Chez TonTon. We have discovered a little bit of France in East Barnet.
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David Samson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 18, 2006

Like the previous reviewer, I have been going here for many years and went last week with my brother and his wife who live much of the time in France. They were delighted with the food, the atmosphere and the service. We all ate well, Eric and his staff were very attentive and the evening was enjoyable for all of us. I am very surprised at the negative reviews.
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Minty
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 12, 2006

I am astounded at some of the negative reviews of Chez Tonton on this site. I wonder if the authors were at the same restaurant as me! I have been visiting Chez Tonton on and off for 20 years and have always found the service, atmosphere and food excellent. Last night was no exception. The restaurant was full and the atmosphere was fabulous - really 'hopping'! Even so, Eric and his staff managed to be friendly and efficient as always. I feel I could actually be in France when I am there. We had scallops and squid to start which came in the most delicious creamy sauces - the fresh bread was a must to mop up with! The mains of calves liver (perfectly pink in the middle) and the special of skate wings were great and accompanied by my favourite boulangere potatoes, al dente vegetables and a refreshing green salad (all included in the price). For dessert, although I love the ganache, I tried the special of raspberry mousse filled with creme brulee which was stunning - it's so rare to get such lovely home made desserts. My boyfiend had a nice selection of cheese with salad and grapes. If you want traditional freshly cooked french country cooking at reasonble prices Chez Tonton is a must. It really is a gem.
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Louise - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, May 21, 2006

We had wonderful meal and time in this restaurant!

Service was good!

Food was great!

I'll come back again after next pay day.

:-)
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Phil & Yoko
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, May 20, 2006

A delightful restaurant. Very genuine. Great decor. The service was top notch from the very start. The owner was very welcoming and the service throughout was wonderful. A good range of dishes and great specials. Very filling. My first venture out to a French restaurant and has definitely turned me on to French cuisine.

I completely agree, I'm french and this is real french cuisine with a cordial and delightful service. Five stars, vive la Francel!
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Yasmin & Alistair
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 29, 2006

This is a superb restaurant, we go there often. We have always found the service good and never hurried but not too slow either. The food is wonderful. My favourite local restaurant
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Barbara
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 17, 2006