The first bank holiday weekend in May was sunny and lovely (so not the case this past one!) so Gaby and I had lunch outside in Pimlico. Le Poule au Pot is a charming French bistro with a rather dark and messy, yet very charming, interior whilst the outdoor seating is cosy with wooden tables and plants. The food is classic French bistro food and one can chose between the a’la carte menu or a set two or three course menu. We had the set menu, two courses each, and got plenty of food. Gaby had the salmon terrine with toasted bread to start and it was nice and fresh! I love the crockery too, so pretty. My chicken liver mousse with cornichons and toast was really nice and smooth and the portion quite large. For our maincourses we both had the steak frites with bearnaise sauce and it was really nice! My meat was slightly overcooked but very tender and the fries nice and crispy. The bearnaise sauce was a little on the runny side but great in flavour.

This is one of those classic places I like to seek refuge at once in a while, I guess to contrast modern restaurant and gourmet food. Less is more here, it’s classic French fare, cooked well and without fuss. But that combined with either the cosy interior inside or the nice tables outside it is enough.

Le Poule au Pot, 231 Ebury Street, London SW1W 8UT