{"id":1087,"date":"2016-06-12T16:28:24","date_gmt":"2016-06-12T15:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/wp\/?p=1087"},"modified":"2018-03-28T11:44:18","modified_gmt":"2018-03-28T10:44:18","slug":"le-garrick-steak-with-je-ne-sais-quoi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/le-garrick-steak-with-je-ne-sais-quoi\/","title":{"rendered":"Le Garrick: Steak with je ne sais quoi – restaurant review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Le Garrick restaurant and wine bar is conveniently located in the heart of Covent Garden in London\u2019s West End. I am no stranger here even though this neighbourhood has a wealth of restaurants of every culinary hue. It\u2019s a timeless treasure and became one of my favourite restaurants after that very first visit. As I said before – I am almost loathe to promote it, for fear I won\u2019t get a table next time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Le Le Garrick is that rare restaurant which exudes accessible charm, offering classic food and service with a smile.\u00a0 It\u2019s like visiting your very favourite French auntie who might once have been an actress. The best cooking, Gallic style, and some theatrical sparkle. Granted, that auntie has her dining room in her basement, but that adds so much cosy intimacy.\u00a0 Brick walls, earth tones, low lights would make this the perfect \u2018first-date\u2019 venue for those with sophistication and \u00e9lan.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unsurprisingly a traditional French menu, with a host of classics to tempt Francophiles or anyone with a passion for well executed dishes; but we were salivating for steak \u2013 and there is one in particular that is celebrated here. But first there was a starter.<\/p>\n

Fondue de \u201cVacherin\u201d pour deux – cheese fondue cooked with white wine and chives – must be a signature dish here, although it\u2019s truthfully best described as a signature box, for that\u2019s exactly what it is. One might have a vision of a fondue pot complete with burner arriving for some DIY culinary action but here it\u2019s somewhat different. Vacherin is a soft, rich cheese made from cow’s milk and usually in the Jura region of France. It is sold in round boxes made of spruce and this fondue is actually cooked and served in its original box. Nothing needed as garnish apart from baskets of bread for dipping. The title mentions \u2018pour deux\u2019 and this truly is a starter for sharing, as there is a magnificent main dish to follow!<\/p>\n

\"Le Entrec\u00f4te grill\u00e9e sauce au poivre ou b\u00e9arnaise is a feast for any carnivore with a huge appetite, but also makes a great meal for two discerning diners when a couple of side dishes are added.\u00a0 This is a simply and correctly presented 14oz chargrilled 28-day hung rib-eye steak on the bone, with fries and peppercorn or b\u00e9arnaise sauce. This is the meal that those returning from a stay in France will crave. It\u2019s not fiddled with. Its natural flavour isn\u2019t camouflaged with gastronomic ornamentation. This is just likely to be one of the best Entrec\u00f4tes you will ever have. For those with a hankering for a less hefty steak then there is Faux Filet, although even that is a substantial slab of succulent meat. This is a standard dish of steak and chips but it\u2019s hard to beat when done well.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not only steak on the menu here. I can attest to the quality of some other items, for example Escargots de Bourgogne – Six Burgundy snails without shells cooked in garlic and parsley butter, as a starter. The menu says these are a \u2019must try!\u2019 and they really are. Cassolette de calamar \u00e0 la plancha au piment d\u2019Espelette is a plate of pan-seared calamari Basque-style with a sprinkle of coriander, ginger, and the famous Espelette chilli from the Basque region of France.<\/p>\n

Le Garrick offers Cassoulet de Toulouse which is the iconic dish from south-west France. Lingot beans with duck confit, pork belly and garlicky Toulouse sausage make a substantial plateful. Perfect for a tummy-filling treat of savoury comfort.<\/p>\n

\"Le The wine list here is solid and sensible. A great selection of wines by the glass, bottle or carafe so it\u2019s easy to make a decent wine pairing even at lunchtime when a full bottle might not support a productive afternoon back at the office.<\/p>\n

Those with a sweet tooth are not forgotten at Le Garrick. I can recommend Cr\u00e8me brul\u00e9e, tangy Tarte au citron – lemon tart with cr\u00e8me fraiche and raspberry coulis – and the Petit pot au chocolat – a decadent chocolate mousse. Can\u2019t make up your mind? Then order Caf\u00e9 Gourmand which is a selection of three little desserts along with coffee or tea.<\/p>\n

Le Garrick won my heart a while back and I remain smitten. Yes, it\u2019s a matter of taste but this bijou establishment is just right for me. Food, wine, individual style and a warm welcome keep me returning.<\/p>\n

Le Garrick Restaurant
\n10-12 Garrick Street
\nCovent Garden
\nLondon
\nWC2E 9BH<\/p>\n

Phone: 020 7240 7649<\/p>\n

Email: info@legarrick.co.uk<\/p>\n

Visit Le Garrick here<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Restaurant review by Chrissie Walker \u00a9 2018<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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