Name of old restaurant in Covent Garden

[Daisydoesnt]

I’m on rare trip up to london and I’m desperately trying to remember the name of a restaurant we used to come to when I worked here 20 odd years ago. It was French, and quite fine dining but not Michelin level. I think it may have been a very small chain - like two or three. The one I remember was in Covent Garden and it was up in the roof of main building in the centre. It was supposed to be “the best steak frites in london.”

Anyone???

Balthazar?

Chez Gerard?

Mon Plaisir, Monmouth Street?

I agree - Chez Gerard. I don't think it exists now

There’s L’Entrecote but I don’t think they have one in CG. Only ones I know are City and Marylebone.

Bloody amazing steak frites though.

It was chez Gerard! Not there now

Palais du Jardin?

Chez Gerard. Sadly defunct. Brasserie Blanc and Cote Brasserie are other chains to try. But I'd try Brasserie Zedel for something a little more out of the ordinary. Bon appetit!

Pierre Victorie

Bertorelli's in Floral Street? Long since gone.

Pierre Victoire? Started in Soho.
Expanded.
Died…

Yep, agreed - Chez Gerard. As per previous posters it’s no longer trading.

I think know what you mean, but I think it was Belgian restaurant, not french. I can't remember the name :(

I was going to say Bertorellis

OP thinking of Chez Gerard

@DietTillDie are you thinking of belgos - cavernous with huge industrial lift to basement?

Belgo, but best mussels and frites?

Chez Gerard chateaubriand with bearnaise sauce was a thing of great beauty. I still think about it!

Clos Maggiore???

oh sorry-missed the on the roof bit.
but agree-Chez Gerard béarnaise a thing of beauty-such a loss

Oh bless you all it was Chez Gerard! It’s been driving me bananas. We ate at Ivy grill this evening and of course walked past where CH used to be which was what set men off. And now at theatre watching Women in Black!

Oh god, the chef / patron who ran and won the star for Chez Gerrard was amazing.

He decamped to France and then came back to London in around 2014/5 and opened a restaurant off Piccadilly / Regent St. Near Pollen Street I think.

It was a wonderful combination of ‘luncheoning’ 70yr old Mayfair Grande Dames (dressed in Chanel suits and diamond broaches & sporting twice weekly coiffured hair by someone like ‘Frederic’ at a salon behind The Ritz) and me, in expensive Paige jeans, a Zara blouse and a jacket bought on The Outnet. I practically applauded the former.

The food was amazing, the floor was black and white tiles, the banquettes were red leather, the chandelier was sparkling, the Sommelier was a young black woman and the atmosphere was buzzing but unhurried.

It closed within 2 years max.

It was, whilst it lasted, a fabulous restaurant.

Used to love Chez Gerad as a teenager. They never ID'd anyone. Sadly long gone.

@Daisydoesnt
Yes that was exactly what it was like and yes it was fabulous. My Dh and I ate there one Christmas Eve many years ago and my first london job we had our works dinner there. Happy days!

Yes - the Opera Terrace. It was a Chez Gerard, as others have said. Cracking bar and a restaurant at the back.

@DietTillDie

I think know what you mean, but I think it was Belgian restaurant, not french. I can't remember the name :(

Belgo?