Qype: Relais de Venise in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Steak Houses - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - French


If you didn't have school book French to fall back on, you would be forgiven for thinking the English name of this place was 'Steak n chips' because that's what it serves. Really. And this may have been a problem if it wasn't incredibly tasty steak and chips. So tasty in fact, that one in our party declared unprompted 'if I was on death row, I think steak and chips would be my final meal'. You heard it here first.

The place is authentically French from the passé little decorated tables to the aloof waiting staff. They don't waste time with menus or selection, in a way you kind of feel like a regular. They mooch up and ask what you'd like to drink and how you like your steak and no other communication about what to expect or at what price. Medium-rare doesn't cut it - you have to pick medium or rare. Simple. You're then left alone until a plate of salad arrives without a word. Semi-startled you munch through it and make way for the main, which arrives on a plate with a standard combination of steak-sauce-chips. I don't imagine anyone has ever tried to change the set combo or order, but there luckily is no need. Like mint and lamb, popcorn and movies, drunk people and kebabs; they're just meant to go together.

Food is tasty but will set you back £20 for the standard fare without drinks or 'else' which is a little steep for ever day lunch so save for special occasions. If only my belt line and purse strings could have supported dessert as it seems fellow Qypers have been raving about those.

Check out my review of Relais de Venise - I am Urbanite - on Qype