Le Cellier du Midi

Take a right into Church Row Hampstead and descend the steps to a time before the internet or even Channel 4. Cellier du Midi welcomes you to the world of when french food was a exotic experience, Habitat was a radical choice for a new sofa and David Frost and Peter Cook held sway over swinging London. Fast forward another decade and Keith is looking for a dentist and pops in with Keith to plan their sabbatical to France. There really should be a blue plaque above to let one know that inside you can experience great food, hearty servings with a family style service. Great interior circa Peter Cushings front room 1975 and in a good way.
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ybot - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 18, 2011

French cellar restaurant in the middle of Hampstead. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

The food that we had was good. The menu is a little short and dominated by fillet steak. The night that we went even the special was a fillet steak. It's hardly representative of French cooking.To be fair the mains were nicely cooked - the starters less so.

Bill - £100 for two (starter and main each, bottle of wine, water).

I can see why the locals like the place (it seemed we were the only people in the place on a first visit). It's unpretentious with a pleasant ambience and the food's good. If it was just round the corner from me then I might go back but I'm not so next time I fancy French food then I'll try somewhere else.
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Rex - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Friday, August 05, 2011

Went for the first time on Saturday night - we loved it. Menu is somewhat retro, but packed with things you want to eat and everything we had (crepe, avocado with prawns, Dover sole, creamy chicken with asparagus) was delicious. Cosy atmosphere, great buzz, friendly and knowledgeable service. Only gripes were that wine list is punchily priced and toilets, while clean, look a little tired. Overall we were kicking ourselves for not having tried it before. Highly recommended.
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Mitch
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, July 18, 2011

Long story short: I liked it and it's worth going.

But, having said that, it has possibly the most unwelcoming, unpromising entrance to any restaurant I've ever been to - down a nondescript, shabby even, flight of stairs into a cellar. No sign on the door - makes you wonder if it's even open, or derelict.

The food is old school, mushrooms a la grecque, steak with stilton etc, selection of boiled veg served separately, potatoes dauphinoise, chips etc. King prawns in garlic tomato sauce. But our group of 6 had a great time, the maitre d is chatty, welcoming, puts you at your ease. It's clean, cosy, warm. So, although i resisted trying it for FIVE YEARS, I am now a convert.
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Sarah H
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 15, 2011

I very rarely write reviews but wanted to make an exception for this lovely family run restaurant. It is stuck in a time warp (70’s/80’s) but the food so spot on; it is exceptional. Don’t go if you want hip hop and happening food and décor but for a special occasion with first class fresh French cuisine there is no better.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, February 15, 2011

6 of us friends and family had supper here last night and it did not disappoint. Atmosphere is relaxed and intimate, food is superb. One of the best French restaurants in London.
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Nick
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Sunday, January 23, 2011

We've been coming to Le Cellier du Midi for many years the food,service, originality are perfect. Nick and his Mother Anna greet you on the way in and the chef Anna husband cooks anything from the excellent French menu. We have celebrated many special occasions here and look forward to spending many more. One of our best deserts, Crêpe au Grand Marnier.
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Michael Spiteri
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, November 06, 2010

Four of us had a meal here earlier this year. And before anythiong else, you have to eat here once to see Mrs Overall in the flesh. Great atmosphere, reasonable serv ice (although the bill took for ever), however the food was decidedly average compared to other French restau's nearby (think Les Associes in Crouch End). Food was reasonable but not unforgettable other than the complete mess they made of my escargot which resembled burnt rubber in taste and texture. Pricey for what you get.
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Geraint Lloyd
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

We chose le Cellier du Midi (is that the lunchtime cellar, or cellar of the region of central Southern France? We must be told) for an Engagement celebration dinner with 8 friends. We had booked for an early midweek dinner as we were a large table, and when we were running a few minutes late waiting for the arrival of one or two members of our party to congregate the staff were very relaxed about putting back our reservation.

The restaurant is, as the name implies, subterranean. And although this is not always a hindrance to the atmosphere of an establishment, it did exude something of a troglodytic air (if that is a real word? (No, not air. Concentrate at the back)), and the space could do with something of a revamp to encourage it carefully out of the 70’s. Nonetheless, the overall feel of the place was very welcoming and the staff were delightful and possibly the most experienced in London (if that is not being unkind). I chose prawns in spicy tomato sauce from the daily specials, which were fresh and vibrant to the point of being feisty. For my main course I had Carre d’Agneau with parsley crust. These were possibly the best lamb cutlets I have eaten in many a year (and believe me I chose lamb a lot when ordering). Sweet, tender, and flavourful, cooked just to the soft side of pink. Really very special. Pudding was a tarte tatin, lovely old school bitter caramelised apple, just how I like it. House wine by George Dubeouf was decent, if not memorable (it seldom is), and the table of 10 polished off a good 6 bottles. The damage came to about £45 a head, which is possibly more than I would have expected for a 3 course a la carte ‘set’ menu at £27 (there are supplements for a number of mains), but everyone had a great evening.
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Barnes
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Le Cellier du Midi is one of our favorite restaurants in London. We have dined there four times over the course of nearly twenty years, always with great pleasure. The atmosphere is, as its name suggests, cellar-like, but cosy and warm rather than dank and dark, charmingly decorated with prints of Paris and of Hampstead. Music, discrete and tasteful, mostly French cabaret music of the golden age---Piaf, Trenet, Sablon, Rossi, Chevalier, etc. The food is extremely good---among our favorite is their Dover Sole Meuniere, with accompanying white wine of excellent value. The tiny lounge adjacent to the restaurant itself has only a few comfortable lounge chairs in front of the tiny bar (watch your head if you are over six feet in height!). All in all, this is a place that delights with its food, its decor, and its service. A little jewel in Hampstead.
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Robert Johnstone
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 09, 2010