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L'Absinthe

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40 Chalcot Road, NW1 8LS Full details & map

Bistro: French (traditional)

Time Out says 5 Users say 3/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: 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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Tags: European, French, French (traditional), Wines, North, Chalk Farm, Mid-range, Restaurant, Bistro

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L'Absinthe details

Address

L'Absinthe

40 Chalcot Road NW1 8LS

Transport Chalk Farm tube

Telephone

020 7483 4848

L'Absinthe website

Lunch served noon-2.30pm Mon-Fri; noon-4pm Sat, Sun. Dinner served 6-10.30pm Tue-Sat; 6-9.30pm Sun

Main courses £9.50-£17.50. Set lunch (Tue-Fri) £10.95 2 courses, £13.95 3 courses; (Sun) £15.95 2 courses, £19.50 3 courses

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 5, pavement ), Babies and children welcome ( high chairs ), Booking advisable, Separate room for parties ( seats 24 )

L'Absinthe map

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Comments & ratings 3/5 (Average of 5 ratings)

By Marilyn - Jan 14 2012

5/5

Perfect for the price. Warm and intimate.

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By Josh - Jan 10 2012

5/5

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.

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By Mary - Dec 7 2011

4/5

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.

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By Carla - Oct 16 2011

1/5

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 !!!

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By Disappointing - Jul 8 2011

1/5

'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!