Restaurants

Ma Cuisine has two sites: this one near Kew Gardens station and another near Twickenham station. Outside, there are freshly written lists of typically French dishes (some of which, oddly, were not on the actual menu). Within, red gingham tablecloths, a smattering of belle époque posters and multicoloured lampshades make for a reasonable pastiche rather than replica of a real French bistrot. The starters raised expectations: crab soup was excellent, with grated gruyère, confit garlic and a sharp, garlicky rouille; a plate of charcuterie was outstanding, including more variations on foie gras than were mentioned on the menu and a particularly tangy sherry jelly. Then came a gaffe, as a main of ‘marmite of scallops, salmon and bass with Pernod broth’ turned out to consist of just three overgrilled pieces of the (named) fish with a small portion of that same crab soup as a separate sauce. A plate of warm tongue, oxtail and boned pig’s trotter was sticky and earthy, providing some compensation. The French staff were cheerful; the waiter replaced our corked wine readily enough.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008