There is a varied selection of starters, including many of my personal favourites, making the choice so much harder! They range in price from £7 to £18. I probably should have ordered Les Escargots, which are still unsurprisingly a speciality of the house, but ended up being seduced instead by the Lobster and Avocado salad. The lobster meat was succulent, and paired perfectly with the buttery avocado. My wife enjoyed a traditional Pissaladière (Onion and Anchovy Tart), a dish full of flavour, and encased in flaky pastry. Perfect comfort food for a dark winter's evening. The main course proved to be another struggle to pin down, as I am a real fan of French classics, such as Moules marinière, Coq au Vin and Beef “Bourgignon”. However, on the night I decided to opt for the Fillet steak (£32). The steaks are served with frites and L’Escargot’s renowned piquant sauce, which added a spicy kick to the meat. The dish was complemented by my choice of an accompanying portion of Spinach. Other choices of sides include the tempting Truffle & Cheese Macaroni- ruled out on this occasion by my desire to make it through to dessert! My wife opted for the Grilled Lobster with garlic butter, with Frites and Kale on the
L'Escargot
side. I had to sample a morsel of lobster, in spite of having already experienced it through my starter. The verdict: you cannot beat the delicious simplicity of nature’s own larder, in this case a perfectly cooked and prepared lobster. The same could be said of the Fillet Steak- a true melt in the mouth experience. The main courses range in price from £14 to £34. There is also a selection of side orders ranging from £4 to £6. They also offer a reasonably priced 2 or 3 course set menu (£17.50 and £19.50 respectively), available from noon to 7pm. In addition, there is a Saturday and Sunday brunch available, which would, in my humble opinion, be well worth a visit. Being a French restaurant, there is, as you might expect, a varied and extensive wine list to suit all tastes. Again this is reasonably priced from £18 a bottle. The Dessert Menu reads like the contents page of a classic French dessert cookery book: Pear Tarte Tartin, Rum Baba, Sorbets, Crème
Brûlée, Profiteroles, and of course a French Cheese selection. I opted for the Crème Brûlée, and my wife was more than happy to sample the profiteroles - one of her all time favourite desserts. We sampled each other’s choices, and were not disappointed, although finishing them proved a challenge. The desserts range in price from £6 to £9. Service at L’Escargot is not intrusive, and has a relaxed, romantic air; albeit a very popular establishment. On the night we visited it was busy with couples, friends, business partners, dates and family gatherings. Take a moment to ask for a look around if they’re not too busy – this beautiful Georgian property is full of charm, and has rooms to suit any social occasion or gathering. The recent restorations enhance the unique character of one of the loveliest venues I have visited in recent years. Apparently though, I am in good company, as previous visitors include Coco Chanel, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Judy Dench, and the late Princess Diana. n
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