Is Café du Marché well-honed for the Barbican demographic? (Discerning, prosperous, well-travelled as we are). Still relevant? Alberto Garciga and Anthony Swanson took a closer look.
Classic French, reassuring, comfortable. Candles, starched tablecloths, soft jazz, good service. The independent Graham-Woods family have been in business for nearly 40 years. A dependable stalwart for the Barbican resident?
Louise, our bright, smiling waitress, took our orders as we chose from the 2 course £46 or 3 course £55 menu. We also had one glass of Sauvignon Blanc Bordeaux (£8.50) and a Gavi Tenuta San Lorenzo (£9.50). Yum.
The Shetland Isles’ mussels and Haddock croquettes arrived. Delicious both.
We continued on our seafood journey by choosing the Cornish plaice on-the-bone and the poisson selon le marche seabream. Presentation was key – both fish dishes looked délicieux, both accompanied with a fresh green salad and crispy pomme frites and a plate for my plaice skeleton bones.
The menu also offered beef, lamb, guinea fowl alternatives which we eschewed this time around – all accompanied by an excellent French wine selection (from £35 a bottle).
Then dessert. Louise recommended the La tarte du jour – pear frangipane –which went down well. Was it custard or crémé anglais? A house special that was so fresh and delicious it just could not disappoint from looks alone. Trust me it did not, not a crumb was left.
An evening of warm welcome, faultless service, and masterful French cuisine all on our doorstep. If you have been to Café Du Marché before – go back, if you have not tried it do so, and you will be pleased and rewarded. Bonne continuation for the Graham-Woods family.
