Comptoir Gascon

cosy, informal restaurant with great duck dishes. would definitely recommend.
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evrim - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Had dinner here last night and although the food was as good as always the place came up short in atmosphere and service.

Piggy treats to start were good and a bargain at £7 (more than enough for 2 to share). Mains were good, however side dishes impressed more ( duck fat chips & the carrot/artichoke puree). All washed down with a good bottle of red for £19.

Service as far as taking orders or bringing food out was fine but between the four waiting staff there was not a hint of a smile all night and no extra effort was made.

Overall good value for money.
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Chris - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I love French food, probably the best in the world by a long mile (and I am Italian).

However the food here is just ok, it could be better if it was not so overly priced.

You could overlook the price is the service was excellent but unfortunately it is not.

Overall you feel a bit disappointed when you leave the restaurant because it could be really nice but it seems there is not real effort.
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Mauro - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Thursday, March 05, 2009

I had lunch in the restaurant on Friday 20th February. I was warmly welcomed and had a fine starter of pork charcuterie with very drinkable house wine. My main course, cassoulet, however, was noting like the real thing and consisted only of butter beans, two English sausages, and a very dry duck leg served in a shallow platter. I couldn't believe I was in a French restaurant.
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Colin Stuart - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Monday, February 23, 2009

nice environment, good food but definitely prices TOO HIGH for the stuff you eat.

We spent 50 pounds each to have a ridicule starter, a small main course and a dessert to share. Moreover you have to pay 12,5% of service.
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barbara
5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Sunday, February 15, 2009

Visiting London recently my friend and I were recommended a restaurant close to our hotel. However, we decided to stroll and little further and came upon Compoir Gascon. Looking thorugh the glass we saw a restaurant full of small groups with happy smiling faces sitting in a warm and pleasing environment. I felt like the little matchgirl at the window.

We were lucky enough to get the last two chairs - literally - and saw many other approaching diners turned away........ and such was their loss.

We have a fabulous meal with a wonderful starter of ducvk comfit to share - followed by Mallard and Pheasant - a very gamey meal - but superb. The plate my meal was served on was heavy earthenware with a succession of large chps around the edges (chips in the earthenware that is - not potato chips - but whilst it seemed somewhat odd it was also highly appealing and really just fit in with the whole laid back feel of the restaurant.

The staff were attentive but over fussy, the food really delicious and the whole ambience of the restaurant was just the icing on the cake after a days sightseeing in London.

Recommended to anyone who wants to converse without shouting and who really enjoys good food - beautifully cooked - and without haste.
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Susan Dean
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 02, 2009

‘The best cassoulet,’ said Sonia, my French chum and former restaurant manager, ‘should really stick to your ribs’. In search of such a belly-busting experience, I came here last Tuesday. At lunch time, the diners were a happy mixture of old and young and the place was bustling without being manic.

The interior is a mix of the concrete from its warehouse origins, offset by fittings seemingly imported from a favourite bistrot. It looks uneasy, but after a few minutes you realise just how true the restaurant is to its vision of itself. The tables, for instance, are a combination of traditional dark brown wood and circular aluminium. And while the cutlery is modern, the food is served in earthenware dishes whose glaze appears crazed from decades spent in hot ovens. For real or for show? Either way, it all worked for me.

My starter was the salade landaise, which, with its base of French beans, was crisp, crunchy and actually a mite over-salted. For a second, I thought I was eating samphire. The fois gras added gloss to the greens and its rich flavour made the dish substantial and filling. My main was, of course, the cassoulet which they say you should allow 25 minutes to arrive. And as one whose memories of the dish come courtesy of Félix Potin, I thought the Comptoir take on it was terrific. It arrived still bubbling in the dish and was moist and succulent beneath the slight crust. The filigree of prosciutto, the duck leg and the curl of sausage marbled with pork and duck enough to make one savour each mouthful.

Service throughout was friendly, charming and smiley. The only vaguely bum note was the CD of Edith Piaf warbling in the background. (I mean, come on, no need to pander to the stereotype.)

As the last forkful went down, I reluctantly drained the silky glass of Vieillefont I had ordered and ear-wigged the French diners to my left. ‘C’est vachement bon!’ one exclaimed over his meal. I, meanwhile, returned to work, happy to doze at my computer for the rest of the afternoon.

I’m already booked in for next week.
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ANTHONYA - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, November 06, 2008

People often ask "What is your favourite restaurant in London" and until I found Comptoir I didn't know what to say. However that problem has been solved.

I actually feel guilty I should try some other restaurants but the lure of Piggy Treats and Cassoulet gets me every time. Bizarrely for a restaurant I have visited over 20 times I have only eaten four things on the menu (apart from the previously mentioned dishes a once seen special foie gras burger as a starter and a lamb shoulder dish that seems to be no-more.)

Only trouble is that I need to be rolled out the restaurant into a cab to get home, very very filling.
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CharlesA - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 29, 2008

I've come here twice now, felt very welcome and comfortable both times. My friend and I really enjoyed the food; I've tried the cassoulet and the beef onglet, both brilliant. Service is friendly and knowledgeable. I will definitely be back for a third visit.
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Caroline Brookes
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 29, 2008

On the whole i really enjoyed both my food and the place, the only disappointment was the cassoulet. which is the reason we went in the first place. strange. everything else was very nice though, will be back. but please please sort that cassoulet out.
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The Shrimp - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, August 23, 2008