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Please note, Le Mignon is now closed. Time Out Eating & Drinking editors, June 2016.
Le Mignon is part of a little cluster of businesses among residential roads near Camden High Street. Small dimensions and faded furnishings give it the look of an unremarkable local restaurant, and an understated welcome and quiet atmosphere reinforced this impression. Sadly, the food cemented it. Fattoush was flavoursome, yet managed to be a little dry. Moutabal had an intense smokiness that rivalled the heavy tahini flavour of the houmous and the vinegariness of the makdous (preserved and stuffed baby aubergines) – in each case, they were a little overbearing to our taste. The pleasingly open-textured kafta khashkhash (minced lamb with parsley, garlic and spices, grilled on skewers) came with a ‘tomato sauce’ that seemed identical to the ‘chef’s sauce’ which accompanied farrouge mishwi (charcoal grilled chicken). It was tasty, yet reminded us of tinned tomatoes. Fruity Chateau Kefraya 2004 Lebanese wine is a good bet at £18, and Almaza beer (also from Lebanon) made a fresh-tasting change from the norm. Altogether, though, the experience was rather flat, and we found ourselves casting eager glances across the road at the lively Crown & Goose.