Cigalon

If you haven’t had the chance to leave London for your holiday just yet then go to Cigalon! This restaurant will make you feel like you are in Provence.The atmosphere is great with singing cicada, lavender booth in the middle of the room and even a glass-ceiling. Very relaxing...

While we were ordering the maître d’ brought us some tapenade. My friend and I both ordered the nicoise salad as starter– delicious and crispy salad. The tuna especially was a hit! Then I ordered the rack of lamb. The meat was perfectly cooked and the basil puree was a very nice accompaniment.

The food was brilliantly prepared, the staff very attentive and helpful. Very nice buzz even though we had dinner on a Wednesday evening.
Comment on this reader review

Henry
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

A rainy,cold,tuesday lunch.The restaurant is beautifully laid out and they have done a marvelous job with the room.We sat in one of the circular "pods" that run down the middle of the room and were very comfortable.That being said, I couldn't help but notice when getting up that crumbs/food gets in between the back of the banquette and the part you sit on-these should be thoroughly cleaned even if it means separating them to do so.

The food is very different from the menus of other London restaurants.The waitstaff is French and generally enthusiastic.Courgettes flowers stuffed with quinoa were enjoyed by 2 of us, while the canneloni of bull (a signature dish) was a lot less successful.The meat was very stringy and difficult to chew, and the sauce was acidic with unreduced red wine.It seemed as though the meat had been pre-cooked and re-assembled and reheated with the red wine sauce, wherein the alcohol had not been properly eliminated.Canneloni of any kind is better left to the Italians it seems.

Mains included a nicely prepared haunch of venison even if it was not served medium as requested but cooked through.The sea bass was as it should be.The bouillabaise, which was recommended by the waitress, was not really as imagined.There was no soup as such, no slices of toasted baguette;no rouille;no grated cheese to sprinkle on said bread.What was served was more a dish of poached white fish in a saffron sauce with 2 slices of boiled potato.While it was pleasant, it would be "run out of town" in the south of France as a poor, distant cousin of the legendary soup.Maybe this is a new take on that classic, but as is the case on most new takes- a classic is best left alone.

Desserts were reasonable, but nothing exciting.
Comment on this reader review

C.Elder
7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, February 15, 2011

After all the raves I felt there was a touch of "Emperor's new clothes" about this restaurant. Yes, the food is accomplished but not THAT fantastic. My husband iconoclastically pointed out that the beef cannelloni with its sweet sauce was a ringer for duck spring roll. The much praised veal resembled something I might knock up at home, and those chickpea chips are simply a BAD idea in my book (as well as being somewhat lukewarm and not crisp enough)!. But that is not to say it is at all bad - it is just not nearly as good as reviews might lead to to expect; it is good food with good service in pleasant surroundings. Add to this the fact that the wine list is very good, and it is certainly true that it is a distinct asset to Chancery Lane.
Comment on this reader review

SaraE
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, January 24, 2011

What a splendid restaurant!! We had just walked past this place as we ended a late seminar nearby and asked if they could fit us even though it was very late. Well they just did that, never had heard of Cigalon before tonight, but we will certainly be back. Outstanding food and expert service in a very relaxing and warm atmosphere, excellent value for money, so thumbs up for the new kids on the block ( they only opened a few weeks ago), cant wait to be back soon!! Thank you cigalon for a perfect night.
Comment on this reader review

kevin
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, December 09, 2010

Club Gascon plus the return of Yann from the Wolseley - who could ask for more! The denizens of Chancery Lane are a very lucky bunch.
Comment on this reader review

10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 11, 2010

Very nice decor, food cooked to a nice standard but too greasy and unfortunately far from being authentic and therefore quite disappointing. Even the ratatouille lacked aubergines and sweet peppers.

Had I not known that the restaurant was owned by French chefs I would have assumed otherwise, maybe I would have been less disappointed by the lack of authenticity if it had been owned by non French.

Would not recommend it to people from Provence.
Comment on this reader review

7 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Friday, November 05, 2010

A lovely place to go, the decor is splendid and the tables are far enough apart so that you don't share conversation with your neighbour. Service was exemplary too.

The food was very good with the accent on southern France specialities. Starter of beef cannelloni was superb as was the rest of the meal. The house red was also jolly good. All in all a very good restaurant.
Comment on this reader review

9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Saturday, October 30, 2010

Just back from a long lazy lunch at Cigalon. Super. Don't miss the casserole of Jerusalem artichoke, chestnuts and caremelised onion - a meal in itself, but wonderful with the braised leg of rabbit. And some great Provencal and Corsican wines to choose from. And the French goat's and ewe's cheese platter (served with a really interesting violet flower jelly) is a real voyage of discovery, from super mild, creamy and sweet fresh cheese to a tangy, salty blue concoction. Get there before the crowds descend!
Comment on this reader review

9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, October 29, 2010

This is a new First Class French Restaurant and the food is amazing. Last week I visited Cigalon with a work colleague and enjoyed rib of veal with Mentonaise sauce and chick pea chips truly scrumptious!! I returned yesterday with colleagues and tried Red Mullet equally as good as my meal last week , cooked to perfection. The desserts are mouth watering try the chocolate tart and goat cheese curd divine. My colleagues were delighted with their meals too. The whole experience is truly delightful, wonderful food and wine, welcoming and attentive staff in pleasant surroundings, a jewel of a restaurant. A really wonderful dining experience that I would recommend to the highest degree.
Comment on this reader review

MG
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, October 29, 2010

I went for dinner yesterday and I had a fantastic time, the canneloni of braised beef are excellent and the rib of veal with the lemony sauce is one of the best I've ever had in London. The room is really nice, maybe a little dark, and my waiter was perfect. I will definitely come back, if anything just to try the petanque at the bar downstairs!
Comment on this reader review

Sy - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, October 29, 2010