Quirky, quiet, good value London restaurant

[trainedopossum]

DH and I are going out to lunch on my birthday. It's a Monday and a surprising number of restaurants are closed :(

I like quirky and small, probably European, not pasta/bread/rice based.

Belt-tightening this year so keeping costs in mind. Maybe main courses around £25ish? Pique-Nique in Bermondsey is my favourite but last time we ate there the bill was shocking.

We live in west London but happy to travel.

I like Andrew Edmunds, Pique-Nique (Bermondsey), Bouchon Racine, Petersham Nurseries and Quality Chop House (if that gives an idea of the vibe?) but want to try somewhere new.

Zedel would be a left field choice, not small and cozy at all but cheerful, fun, good value and very French. So that's an easy plan b if inspiration fails me.

I love the look of the Baudry Greene cocktail bar but only the cafe is open.

rochellecanteen.com

Thanks, that looks good 👍

What about the st moritz fondue place soho

Casse-Croute near Tower Bridge.

www.closmaggiore.com/menus
I always recommend this, it's lovely and good value fixed price menu.

Poule et Pot between Victoria and Sloane Square?

Cafe Murano (couple of branches in central London) is not too spendy and the atmosphere in the St James branch is cosy and quiet. I bet they do a good lunch deal

Rochelle canteen is glorious but maybe not at this time of year as it might be too cold/wet

Ahh just spotted you don’t want pasta! But Cafe Murano does non pasta based Italian food

I was going to say this! Not as cheap as it used to be but the portions are big (I almost always have 3 courses when I go out but I can’t manage it here). They serve champagne in coupes (not flutes) and the staff all have delightful French accents.

I've wanted to try Casse-Croute for a long time but they don't seem to post a daily menu anymore. Poule au Pot was on DH's shortlist so good to see it recommended again. Love the look of the fondue place! Definitely going to try that when the weather gets cold.

Cafe Murano and Clos Maggiore both have a good prix fixe so might go for one of those.

Thanks all, so helpful 😍

Darcie and May Green.

It's on a boat so it's small and quirky. Reasonably priced. Good food. It's is Australian though, not European.

https://bleedingheart.co.uk/

This place is great, get the rhum baba!!

www.les2garconsbistro.com

Both DH and I love a rhum baba, a vanishing species!

This thread has made me realise what I really want is a quirky and slightly glam/luxe prix fixe, which has helped me narrow it down and stop stressing about cost.
Thank you and feel free to add more if so inspired 💡

I am reading through these menus now and feeling very hungry!!!

Cora Pearl in Covent Garden is small, sexy and delicious food.