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Everything about this elegant neighbourhood restaurant, from the classic handwritten menu to the Gallic service team and doorstopper of a wine list, flies the flag for all things French. There’s a leafy terrace outside to recreate memories of holidays past, while indoors, tapestries, wood panelling and crisp white napery make for a smarter look. Reassuringly, bonhomie between staff and customers warms up the atmosphere.
Cooking isn’t always first-class; highlights included a first course of sliced scallops and plump mussels cooked to perfection and sauced with a splendid saffron cream. Less dramatic, but just as tasty, pastel-hued hot pea soup delivered plenty of garden-fresh summery notes. Main courses were disappointing, though – pot-roasted chicken breast was too dry and the sautéed mushroom accompaniment uninspired. Similarly, roast duck breast was overcooked and the broad bean garnish and herby new potatoes couldn’t rescue it from mediocrity.
It took a jiffy to polish off the creamy crème anglaise from the île flottante, but the poached meringue had a discordantly salty flavour. Despite these occasional culinary misgivings, L’Aventure makes for a scenic setting and the service is spot-on.