Restaurants

  • Le Cassoulet

     
  • WINNER - BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT

    Time Out Eating & Drinking awards 2008

  • Although chef-patron Malcolm John’s first restaurant, Chiswick’s Le Vacherin , is highly regarded, it was always going to be a gamble opening another – especially in the gastronomic desert of South Croydon. But John is a local and knows his market. The place was humming on the Friday night of our visit. The long room is smart if old-fashioned, using shades of dark red and cream, floral wallpaper, velvet-backed chairs and striped banquettes to create a grown-up setting for some grown-up food. Escargots, frogs’ legs, châteaubriand and steak tartare all appear on a menu that favours gusty, meaty fare from south-west France (vegetarians, beware). The signature dish was an excellent version: a rich, hearty stew of duck, pork, sausage and beans with a proper crusty top, served in its own mini cast-iron pot. Just as good was fillet of wild sea bass (succulent flesh, crispy skin), with white asparagus and crushed peas. Bread and butter pud with Calvados-soaked prunes provided a rich finish. Add in deft service from French staff clad in black waistcoats and long white aprons, a long, all-French wine list and bargain-priced set lunches and there’s little to fault. Maybe the air-con was too efficient.

  • Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009

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  1. Posted by John Marc Edun (registered user) on 20 Jun 2008 21:09

    Ignore all the cliched cracks about haute cuisine finally reaching Croydon and just get to this wonderful restaurant as soon as you can.
    The food is classical French as is the decor and what gorgeous food it is!
    Rather than bore you with our meal just trust me and go to experience it for yourself.
    The service is formal yet friendly and take the time to talk to them, they're lovely people.
    All in all, a damn fine restaurant and yes it is in Croydon for goodness sake.

  2. Posted by Hillary de Coverly (registered user) on 30 Apr 2008 14:02

    What a disappointment! After reading rave reviews we chose this venue for a party of eight of the family to celebrate various birthdays. The food was no more than OK - can't go very wrong with asparagus and the garlic soup was good. The lemon sole was adequate, the well-done steak was actually a bit burnt. The desserts were tasty but nothing that would make you go "wow". The thing that really let it down was the service. Whilst the staff were very pleasant, they didn't seem to have a clue about how to wait on tables in a professional manner. Our aperatif glasses were left on the table during the meal. My husband ordered a bottle of white and a bottle of red wine and was given the white to taste. The white wine was then poured for those who wanted it. Instead of offering the red for my husband to taste as well, the waiter took it down the table to one of the people who had elected to drink the red, in order for him to taste it! It's as though the staff have had no training at all. I think we had four or five different waiters coming up in an ad hoc manner with various dishes. Cutlery wasn't changed to suit the dishes until the last minute. My husband was given a plate of biscuits for cheese but no cheese was forthcoming and no waiter could be seen either. We also had to wait a long time between courses. The overall impression was one of muddle. Where was the polish? Where was the attention to detail! Sadly lacking. What a shame. We wont be back.

  3. Posted by Amy Lawrence (registered user) on 25 Apr 2008 18:44

    Very nice evening here. Surprisingly busy for a Monday evening so book in advance!
    Lovely food - delicious snails to start, then my partner and I shared a roasted chicken with mash and haricot beans which was also very nice.
    Very friendly staff - although the waitress did have to come back twice to check what we had ordered as she didn't write it down.
    Lovely wine, and lovely ambience.
    A cosy restaurant, with tables fairly close together, but still good for either a romantic meal for two or a large group of friends - providing your not looking for a loud/lively atmosphere.

  4. Posted by Jonathan French (registered user) on 14 Apr 2008 13:17

    This restaurant is simply terrific. After my first visit I knoew I had to return and have now been three times to try different things every time. Each visit has been a treat. The food is rich and authentically French down to every detail. Take your time, order some nice wine, and enjoy!!

  5. Posted by gerald spreng (registered user) on 12 Apr 2008 17:28

    My salad of poached pear, bacon, rocket and roquefort was lacking balance (i could only taste the cheese), but the endive tart was lovely. Mains were pretty good and both the confit of duck and the smoked haddock were done well. The wine list was somewhat limited, however, lacking value and quality, and the service was poor. We turned up having booked to be confronted with one waiter on the phone and the manager (?) telling us that they had no tables, despite having booked and there only being 3 tables occupied in the restaurant. Overall I was quite disappointed with le cassoulet as it appeared to be exactly what Croydon needed. Not pricey for lunch, but not a great experience either.

  6. Posted by vincent lacovara (registered user) on 30 Mar 2008 19:00

    A wonderful restaurant, and I'm really pleased that it's in Croydon. For those of you who don't live in Croydon - it really is worth a trip! Yes, really. South Croydon has a great range of eateries, but nothing of this standard...This rivals anything the west end has to offer. Friendly service, lovely decor, great value and - most importantly - wonderful food. Try the steak tartare and the slow cooked pork cheek.

  7. Posted by Victoria Granville-Overton (registered user) on 11 Mar 2008 13:44

    Simply fantastic - you won't be disappointed!

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  • Details

  • 18 Selsdon Road, Croydon, Surrey, Croydon, CR2 6PA
  • Area: Croydon
  • Tel: 020 8633 1818
  • www.lecassoulet.co.uk
  • Book online
  • Category: French
  • Travel: South Croydon rail
  • Times: Lunch served noon-3pm Mon-Sat; noon-4pm Sun. Dinner served 6-10.3pm Mon-Thur, Sun; 6-11pm Fri, Sat
  • Price: Main Courses £12.50-£20. Set lunch £16.50 3 courses (Mon-Sat); £19.50 3 courses (Sun)
  • Credit cards: AmEx, MC, V
  • Map

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