Breaking news
Nicolas Jaouën remains telling The Caterer: "We built Margot together so it's been tough on both sides. I wish Paulo the best.. These things happen in business. Paulo is moving on and we have to focus on those that are still in the business. We will continue to focus on the staff, the service and the quality of the food."
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Old-school elegance is mixed with excellent, friendly service” at Paulo de Tarso & Nicolas Jaouën’s “stylish” and “very comfortable” Italian near the Freemasons’ Hall – “one of the better post-Covent Garden options”, and also a useful business venue in WC2 (“an area that isn’t too rich in restaurants of this calibre”). But, while fans still praise its “classic, simple, well-executed dishes”, ratings slid this year amidst some concerns that it “has suffered from its popularity”, producing food that seems “less enthralling” than it once did: “nice, but nothing special for the price”.
Summary
“Old-school elegance is mixed with excellent, friendly service” at Paulo de Tarso & Nicolas Jaouën’s “stylish” and “very comfortable” Italian near the Freemasons’ Hall – “one of the better post-Covent Garden options”, and also a useful business venue in WC2 (“an area that isn’t too rich in restaurants of this calibre”). But, while fans still praise its “classic, simple, well-executed dishes”, ratings slid this year amidst some concerns that it “has suffered from its popularity”, producing food that seems “less enthralling” than it once did: “nice, but nothing special for the price”.
Summary
“Very suave service” (“the staff make the meal into an occasion”) adds to the polish of Paulo de Tarso and Nicolas Jaouën’s “elegant” and “quite formal” (“white tablecloths, etc”) Italian: one of the better options in Covent Garden “to make an evening feel special before or after a show”. “Very accomplished” cooking completes the picture, although arguably “more traditional dishes work best”. Top Menu Tip: “particularly excellent osso bucco”.
Summary
“An instant classic, bravo!” This “very elegant Italian on the edge of Covent Garden” proved one of the best arrivals of 2016 and although the odd report complains it’s been “hyped” the vast majority say it’s plain “stunning”. “Quality and service are in abundance” – the comfortable interior feels enjoyably “superior”, and “staff make the meal into an occasion – they make you feel very special”. “Most of the menu is of traditional dishes with a twist” and it’s “damned good too”. Top Menu Tip – “the best ever Osso Buco”.
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £25.00 | £29.00 |  |
|
|
| Pretheatre | £25.00 | £29.00 | |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £5.50 | £22.50 | £5.50 | £6.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £19.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
45 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AA
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 4:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 4:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 4:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 4:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 4:30 pm‑9 pm |
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