We were in Crouch End to cash in a rapidly expiring 50th birthday voucher for dinner at Les 2 Garçons, of which I’d heard nothing but great things. Which is apt to make one critical. We were greeted at the door in French. Now, I can speak French and often do in France (and Belgium). But being expected to spontaneously speak it in Crouch End brought out the inner Kingsley Amis, which, to be honest, happens with greater frequency now that I’ve walked the earth for half a century. Anyway, I said ‘Hello, we’ve got a reservation.’

Having secured a table (in English) I looked around. The room is very French in a good way but also with that Parisian touch of the tables being just that teensy bit too close to those around. This was emphasised by a great lump of man adjacent who seemed designed more for lolling than sitting. Fortunately his party buggered off shortly after receiving their menus so those of us with food to get could peruse the menu in relative comfort.

The menu is French classics and therefore anything not eggy was highly tempting. I fancied the scallops for starter but took the crab instead. The crab was excellent. (As were the scallops apparently.) Alongside it a round of sourdough bread was pure buttery heaven. Yum yum.

Vino time. I’d took the precaution of getting the Old Boy to recommend something from the list and he didn’t let us down. A bottle of Louis Chèze Condrieu was excellent and blew our voucher in a very satisfactory manner. It accompanied a main of skate which was cooked to perfection. But they hadn’t informed us that skate came with spuds so extra fries on the side was a bit of an indulgence. (But I had the capacity.)

Service was attentive with a happy team keeping a humming room happy, including a party out back. We carried over the wine for a round of excellent cheese for dessert and now I was at the point of getting stuck into one of the -acs. But it was not to be – the staff took this moment to absent themselves and we were given enough time to reconsider blowing more budget (and waistline) on dessert/DJSteve/coffee, saving ourselves £50 to boot.

Even so, without the voucher this would have been a nigh on £300 dinner. In Crouch End. On a Tuesday night. Which makes me impressed that they were full up (less Mr Creosote & party). But unlikely to return quickly. For those numbers I could get the same experience (and more room) in town.

7/10

To see where else I’ve been click on the google map below.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=18qCyiPZih_gzhGG8mwfacnNRWD3b0bo&ehbc=2E312F

Belgium Food Belgian Food Leuven restaurants