Harden's survey result
Summary
Fabio Lauro and his family – the new owners since 2022 – still have work to do in reinjecting life into this “very French” and “old-fashioned bistro”, near Covent Garden, which started small after WWII and has grown into various neighbouring buildings over many years. Fans still applaud its “Gallic bistro staples served in a cosy romantic space” and claim it has “perked up on the last couple of visits” (having been in decline up to the prior owner’s retirement). But while reports of “disappointing” or “less-than-mediocre” meals are in a minority, they remain too commonplace and its ratings in our annual diners’ poll remain well off their past best – “such a pity, the place still has potential”.
Summary
“The charming warren of rooms helps make for a happy experience” at this “nostalgic”, and “immensely charming” Gallic super-bistro, near Covent Garden, which opened just after WWII and which has rambled over the years into neighbouring buildings. “For many decades the menu has hardly changed and continues to reflect Parisian bistros with confit de canard, steak grillé and a fine chariot de fromages... warming in winter and equally welcoming the rest of the year”. New owners, Fabio Lauro and Family took over in 2022 from Alain Lhermitte (who owned it since 1972) “leaving some people worried this place has gone off”. But “the food was not what it was” before Alain retired, and ratings improved here somewhat this year – hopefully the start of a positive new chapter for this old veteran.
Summary
“Mon Plaisir felt like an old-fashioned time warp when I first started coming here in the 1980s, and it hasn’t changed since!” – this sprawling bistro in Covent Garden is set in “a French honeycomb of rooms” and many of its devotees say it’s “still holding its own” thanks to its “delightful authenticity” (“serving French food – including proper snails and other bistro classics – in the French way”) and its “beguiling” approach generally (“a great place to look starry-eyed into your partner's eyes”). Its ratings are sliding, though, due to numerous other long-term fans losing interest (“I hadn’t been in years and found average food, variable service and a tired impression generally”: “…a pity as it used to be so good!”)
Summary
“London’s oldest family-run French bistro never fails”, and still offers a “quirkily traditional experience” 75 years after its launch in Covent Garden in the post-war era. It’s “a bit dated”, of course, but that’s part of the appeal: “the cooking is good rather than exceptional – more Gallic comfort food than gastronomic”, so “go for the classics, onion soup and steak frites”. Top Tip: “great for pre- or post-theatre”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Mon Plaisir Restaurant?
19-21 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H 9DD
Restaurant details
Mon Plaisir Restaurant Restaurant Diner Reviews
"I haven't been here for a very long time. And I wish I could say it hasn't changed but it has: it is now brighter and more modern, shame because I quite liked the shabby French bistro look. The food, however, was much as I expected: very good without being spectacular. We enjoyed main courses of haddock and filet mignon of pork, good coffee and a good bottle of wine. I will definitely be going back again and much sooner than last time."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
19-21 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H 9DD
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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