L'Absinthe

Restaurants

Bistros

40 Chalcot Road

Mid-range

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Time Out says

Fri Sep 30 2011

This jolly spot dispenses bonhomie and joie de vivre by the bucketload, and wines by the glass, pot and bottle – with a very friendly policy of only charging shop price plus corkage on the latter. Good on them, for this was once considered an unlikely site (we remember eating Italian, Indian), but L’Absinthe has proved such a hit it’s expanded into the building next door, from where it now offers a traiteur, deli-café and takeaway foodstuffs.

The secret of success may lie in its lack of pretension – despite the Primrose Hill location, cooking is unfussy, the presentation homely and prices correspondingly keen. Opt for the set lunch menu, with its choice of two dishes per course, and dining is even cheaper. From the carte, beef bourguignon with mash was precisely that – no galette of celeriac or parmesan tuile to garnish. Marinated herring came with radicchio, shallot dressing and a disc of potato salad, but was otherwise another typically straightforward dish. We wish the béarnaise served with the steak frites hadn’t been left to stand so long before serving, but chocolate and coffee mousse was a paragon.

Consideration is given to quality British suppliers, with Chalk Farm smoked salmon and Marshfield organic ice-cream from the West Country among the discerning choices.

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Venue location

Address:
L'Absinthe 40 Chalcot Road
London
NW1 8LS

Phone:
020 7483 4848
Website:
www.labsinthe.co.uk
Opening hours:
Lunch served noon-3pm Mon-Fri; noon-4pm Sat, Sun. Dinner served 6-10.30pm Mon-Sat; 6-9.30pm Sun
Transport:
Tube: Chalk Farm tube
Price:
Main courses £9.95-£18
Map
1. L'Absinthe
  - 40 Chalcot Road
    London
    NW1 8LS
  - 020 7483 4848
  - www.labsinthe.co.uk
  - 51.539971,-0.153942

Categories:
Food and drink
Facilities:
Eating and drinking facilities. Restaurant and bar facilities. Reservations required. General facilities. Private rooms. Outdoor facilities. Tables outdoors
Occasions:
Drinks. Wine buffs
Type of event:
Parties

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Comments & ratings

(6 ratings)

Eaten here 3 times in the last two years. Menu is simple and seemingly never varies. Cooking is bland and you could o much better for the money, the pub opposite for a start.

Geraint Wed Jan 9
Rated as: 3/5
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No better than school dinners. The stage French-iness is no substitute for poor cooking

Boulestin Mon Oct 29 2012
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Perfect for the price. Warm and intimate.

Marilyn Sat Jan 14 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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I absolutely love this place! Entertaining service, friendly atmosphere, wonderful French bistro style food, unpretentious and full of flavour! I am slightly worried that with an increased size the standards may drop, I really hope JC and the team can keep the standards as high as they have been for the past few years! A wonderful neighbourhood restaurant that knows what it does and does it almost faultlessly.

Josh Tue Jan 10 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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The Frenchest of French restaurants I have been to outside France. The food tasted home cooked and authentic, the service was genuine and friendly and the ambience cozy and unpretentious. Already booked my second visit in a space of 10 days.

Mary Wed Dec 7 2011
Rated as: 4/5
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I don't understand all the reviews i have seen about this restaurant. Have you ever try a real french restaurant , Please ! It's not good. It's simple. I can do it at home. The staff is wearing trainers, nothing smart. The jug of water was dirty ! I use to go in another french restaurant not too far and i wanted to try this one because of the reviews it has but i'm disappointed :(- I'll never come back and go back to my favourite in NW3 2QY !!!

Carla Sun Oct 16 2011
Rated as: 1/5
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'Everything expensive, nothing good' . At least they are honest. I have ordered french onion soup which managed to taste completely bland. The steak was fatty and I managed to pick out about 1/3 that was edible. Fries soggy..... It is by far the worst meal I had - and the first review I have ever written. The owner tries to cover up bad food with charm, not impressed!

Disappointing Fri Jul 8 2011
Rated as: 1/5
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L'Absinthe

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