La Petite Auberge

I met a friend for lunch at this restaurant.  I had been wanting to come here for a while, having heard good things about it and it certainly looks welcoming during the warmer months with the whole front opened up and several tables set outside.  We ordered a glass of Grenache Rose each - pleasant but expensive at £6, then a set 3-course lunch at £14.50 (+ service).  I ordered a goats cheese salad to start, my companion had the soup.  We each found this course extremely pleasant and very well presented. For my main course,  I chose the Crepe Veggie Gourmet which was crammed with goats cheese, avocado, cherry tomato, walnut, spinach and pesto and was absolutely delicious, not at all heavy or greasy.  My friend chose "fish of the day" which she was delicious.  I had a very tasty chocolate mousse for dessert, my friend chose an ice-cream sundae, the only downside to each of these being the cheap and nasty cream sprayed on the top, which I was surprised to see in this standard of restaurant.  Overall, a very tasty experience, served by charming staff.  Will return.

Underwhelming

I was not expecting to pay more for a bottle of Picpoul, an overdressed salad and crepe in Cockfosters than I did for a high quality three course meal, a glass of champagne and a good bottle of Cotes du Rhone in Mayfair but La Petite Auberge has prices that don't reflect the quality of its offer.

Having lived in Brittany, I know a crepe when I see one. And what appears on this restaurant's desert menu is not a crepe. (However, if you are used to and enjoy stodgy pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, you may enjoy your pudding here.)

If I want good quality French cuisine again, next time I'll be sure to jump on the Tube or I'll head back to a East Barnet where I know I can find a genuinely good local auberge.