Le Montmartre

I stumbled upon this restarant by chance as i was walking down Essex Rd late one Sunday evening about a month ago. I am a bit conscientious about going into places that I don't know and asking for a 'table for one' but I was welcomed with a lovely smile from the waitress and instantly made to feel at home.

I love steak and chips so when I saw the steak 'perigourdine' in a fois gras and port sauce with fries my mind was automatically made up! I was pleasantly surprised as the generously sized rib eye was cooked perfectly to order (rare to medium) and the plentiful brown sauce was rich and tasty. A generous amount of fries accompanied the steak in a large bowl and they are very good indeed (some of the best I have tasted anywhere), a fresh golden colour, nice and crisp on the outside and soft in the middle and great when left to soak in some of the lovely brown sauce! On top of the steak was a small slice of fois gras pate which just melts in the mouth (and is made in-house). I washed down my steak with a reasonably priced large glass of house red and left feeling full and very satisfied for under £20.

I have returned 3 times since then and each time ordered the same dish! I even spoke to the French chef/owner about the brown sauce as I would love to replicate this at home and he gave me some tips on how to go about it (although making homemade veal stock for the base sauce might be pushing my culinary abilities somewhat!) .

If you live in the upper street/essex road area I would definitely give it a try.

This review is of course only based on one dish sampled 4 times but it was consistent which is a very good sign and bodes well for the other items on the menu which I look forward to trying. In fact I mentioned to the very pleasant waitress that the next time I will be determined to try something different. She knows the menu very well and recommended that I try the lamb next time which I will gladly do!
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johnm
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Visited on a wet Saturday evening in February. The optimistically large dining space (room enough for 100+ over 30 tables and two floors, although the place was nearly empty) was pleasantly decorated and first impressions were good.

The food was adequate at best - the feeling we were left with was that there is a competent chef in the kitchen, but corners were being cut with cheap ingredients. My onion soup was fairly tasteless and with too much cheese. The chicken main was well presented, but the meat was supermarket standard. My toffee dessert was very tasty, but looked as if it was bought from Bookers and heated in a microwave.

My dining partner was happy with his steak, and his calamari starter hit the spot, but overall it was all a bit underwhelming.

On the plus side service is polite and the wine list is reasonable - and a three course meal with wine should come in at around £60 for two.
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John G
7 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Sunday, February 28, 2010

Best Bistro in town. Welcome back Montmartre. At last a real restaurant on Essex Rd.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 19, 2010

I love this place. Fantastic food and very reasonable, nice atmosphere for couples or parties. Service was excellent. A real surprise - welcome back!
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Chelsea Mc Donalds
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Super bistro. Glad to see them back on Essex Road. I had a meal at Montmartre with friends and as usual the food and service were excellent. Try the Foie Gras or the Cassoulet. I can't wait to go back.
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S Turrone - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 12, 2010

New and almost certainly doomed to failure. The food is unimaginative and wildly overpriced. It would be nice if something could work here.

The penne with chicken breast on the set lunch menu is truly appalling.

Staff are quite nice though.
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Dolores del Culo - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Sunday, February 07, 2010