Angel, French Restaurant Guide

Risking turning into “Café Rouge in disguise” – this large French brasserie by Islington Green lived a chequered past under its former owners Corbin & King, which ultimately led to its re-formatting in 2023 by the new Wolseley Group. A few fans do feel the changes are working out, lauding “basic French-standard dishes that are well executed” (“e.g. reliable chicken schnitzel”); and “with pleasant service and plenty of space between tables”. Most feedback, though, continues the downbeat themes that have long dogged it now (“very poor – what a shame!”)

“Cosy, friendly corner of Paris in N1” – “simple traditional French bistro cooking done well, full in flavour and with generous servings” is on offer at this “popular neighbourhood restaurant” in Islington, which attracts “a mixed clientele of couples, families with children, and friends of different ages”. Its “charming ambience” and “amazingly good value” (“especially the prix fixe lunch”) make it “somewhere you’re happy to return to on a frequent basis”.