Harden's survey result
Summary
Pascal Aussignac and Vincent Labyrie’s “magnificent and innovative” temple to the cuisine of southwest France (and famously foie gras) has “upped its game” following a complete makeover that marked their 20 years beside Smithfield Market. There’s now “more space and an expanded menu”, and although one or two long-term fans are “not sure about the refurb”, the ambience rating has improved dramatically and the food remains “first class”.
Summary
“Special”, “extremely elaborate” Gascon cuisine (“the dish arrives ands looks like a Matisse”) – famously featuring oodles of foie gras – has carved a huge name for Pascal Aussignac and Vincent Labyrie’s ambitious 20-year-old, in a fine Smithfield corner site (a former Lyon’s Tea House). Despite consistently maintaining standards, its profile has waned somewhat in recent years and in August 2017 the restaurant closed for a major revamp, prior to an autumn re-launch with a new look and tweaked concept (hence we’ve removed what were good ratings).
Summary
“The exciting things they do with foies gras can miss, but when they hit: WOW!” – “Beautiful dishes with amazing combinations of flavour and colours”, all “rooted in SW France”, together with “a comprehensive range of lesser-known but delicious Gallic wines” maintain the culinary standing of this “serious” and “business-friendly” French venue, near Smithfield Market, even if the interior can seem “a bit ’90s”.
Summary
“Brilliantly executed flavour combinations from SW France” – featuring “foie gras in every imaginable form” – and “a wine list with some unusual gems” have won a huge following for this Gallic, City-fringe business stalwart; but has its performance been slightly “tired” of late?
Restaurant details
Club Gascon Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Best French in the city."
"I have just returned home after a magnificent lunch at Club Gascon. A delicious starter of compressed duck, nori, rhubarb and fermented garlic was followed by a superb lamb dish. Dessert was based on rhubarb, but not rhubarb as one usually eats it. A delicate soufflé with an accompaniment of sour frosted yoghurt, tarragon and pomegranate. It was all beautifully presented and a snip at £34.50 per person."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £34.50 | £39.50 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 85.00 | L only | 5 |
| Menu2 | 110.00 | D only | 7 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £16.00 | £33.50 | £15.00 | £10.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 13.50% |
57 West Smithfield, London, EC1A 9DS
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm-2 pm, 6 pm-10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm-2 pm, 6 pm-10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm-2 pm, 6 pm-10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm-2 pm, 6 pm-10 pm |
| Saturday | CLOSED |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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