Perle Noire

Just as oysters are rough on the outside but hold polished pearls within their clutches, Le Perle Noir is a pleasant surprise among the dark-windowed sports bars and massage parlours that surround it. Diners can sit on the leafy outdoor patio, or step inside to the much more civilised, wood-bedecked interior. The scallop entrée was perfectly seared and paired with a tuft of bacon-infused arugula and drizzled with an orange whisky sauce. The prosciuttowrapped cod was a real palate-dazzler, resting regally on its bed of mustardy Puy lentils and finished with a brushstroke of macadamia nut pesto. As fusion-filled as the menu is, some of the true delights here are the simplest – a mouthwatering grilled pork chop, mussels in your choice of broth, or super-fresh oysters. A bit pricey, but aren’t all pearls?