Islington, French Restaurant Guide

Promising initial feedback on this tiny, wine, cheese, charcuterie and tapas yearling in Clerkenwell, whose backers include wine buyer Anthonin Charlier (formerly at Cellar and Club Gascon). French and Spanish flavours are to the fore – “a really happy discovery: both food and wine are great, but the service makes the place”.

Searching for that classic, “romantic”, “cheap ’n’ cheerful” bistro of legend? Try this “relatively inexpensive French local” off Islington’s Upper Street: “the food’s very good considering the price, and portions are generous”.

2019 Review: “Pretty much the only ‘grown-up’ restaurant on Upper Street” – Corbin & King’s “elegant” Islington outpost is a “spacious”, “clubby and wood lined” operation that makes “a classy destination for anyone at any time – be it for a drink, a snack or a meal” (and is kid- and dog-friendly too). The “unusual and interesting” cuisine – schnitzels, “good tartes flambées, hearty sausages (try the aligot mash), steaks” – aims to recreate that of an Alsatian brasserie and is “decent, if a bit uneven” (ditto the service). “Great range of breakfast options, too, and the atmosphere makes it feel special, whether it’s a business meeting or you’re lingering at the weekend”.

“Bustling” and “lovely” French-style bistro, which has been an Islington institution for almost 30 years, with its crowd-pleasing formula of a keen set price for each of the three courses (£4.95, £11.95 and £3.95 respectively): the food’s not art, but with value like this, nobody cares.

Offering a "contemporary spin on the traditional dish from the region of Alsace" (tartes flambée, or 'flams'), this new all-day Old Street restaurant caters for gluten-free diets too.