A friend has become a real fan of “Frenchie”:http://www.frenchiecoventgarden.com/ in Covent Garden and so we decided it was ideal for the 60th birthday treat of another friend.
We were shown to a table which in reality was designed for two, but because it was in a corner and next to a bench, it was miraculously a table for three. The metal topped table was really small and I was concerned there wouldn’t be enough for three plates. We were asked if we’d prefer to sit downstairs but having checked, it wasn’t an improvement. They obviously do not let three people sit at a table for four.
We ordered a bottle of prosecco to start with and have a bacon scone brushed with maple syrup and clotted cream on the side (£3 each). It sounds unusual and the cream worked well, although the maple syrup made it a bit sweet for me.
The set lunch “menu”:http://www.frenchiecoventgarden.com/files/media_file_47.pdf which changes regularly, had four starters and four mains. Two of us chose gnocchi with charred leeks and a onion broth which was absolutely delicious and the fois gras was said to be equally fabulous.
My main of lamb ragù parpadelle with kalamata olives, confit lemon was excellent and a good-sized portion and the lamb melted in the mouth. I had a side salad with it which had blue cheese and crisp croutons.
I was pretty full by this stage, and as the others were having a banoffee pie (which was deconstructed) I had a portion of cheese (an English stilton) which came with thin crackers. My friend selected a dessert wine to go with their puddings (£13.50 each eeekh) whilst I had a glass of port at a modest £8.
Two courses for £27, or three for £30 appear good value, but with add ons like coffee and expensive wine (one of the cheapest whites from the extensive, but irritating “wine list”:http://www.frenchiecoventgarden.com/files/media_file_51.pdf is £45 and steeply rising) it can make it a very expensive lunch.
The service was good but not exceptional and if I’m paying this sort of money I do expect a little more room on my table and a table cloth! However, the food was excellent and so if I went again, I think I’d stick to tap water.
