4. July 2014: Restaurant Cigalon

This place is absolutely worth trying, especially if you have the chance to book a set menu via Lime & Tonic which allows you to try a nice selection from their menu for a very decent price (GBP 32.50). With the menu comes a “Provençal Champagne Cocktail” which is pleasant but not really tasting much like champagne but maybe not entirely wrong to start lunch. The “extra bread & olive tapenade” (GBP 2.00) is actually a good choice to get different fresh breads and a tasty spread.

The starting course was “Courgette, Mint & Lemon Salad” which was a very simple dish to start but due to the mint and lemon it was very light and refreshing and the courgettes were actually tasty – so definitely a fine start.

The next course, “Tagliatelle, with Rabbit & Rosemary Ragout” was fine too. They were nicely prepared and overall the dish tasted good but it did not match the salad really plus the pasta could have been a bit more al dente for my personal gusto.

The main course, “Grilled Pork Loin, with Panisses in Nectarine Salsa” was actually surprisingly good. The pork was still slightly juicy and quite aromatic – the nectarine salsa which it was served with improved the quality of the dish at it added a surprising element to the pork, a surprise of fruitiness and sweetness. The panisses were fine too – nicely potato-y with a nice fried crust not being to stroppy or too crispy.

I am usually not a dessert or chocolate fan really but I decided to have both desserts (for an additional GBP 5.00) on the set menu. So, first was the “Chocolate Moelleux, Blackcurrant & Violet Sorbet” (GBP 5.00) and I must admit that it was definitely a good decision. The chocolate moelleux was still slightly warm and soft inside, the vanilla sauce it was bedded on made it a great match and last but not least the violet and blackcurrant sorbet was definitely tasty but you would not be able to taste anything of the violet which was a bit of a disappointment.

As a second dessert, I went for the cheese which was “Ewe Cheese (Sheep Cheese) with Fig Chutney”. It was insofar a bit of a disappointment as there was only one type of cheese on the plate – and secondly I must admit that the fig chutney which was served was not really the best one I have ever tried but it was lower average. Quite a pity for otherwise quite a perfect lunch.

The service quality varies strongly – I have had two waiters, at first a waitress, Carla, who did a marvelous job. She was friendly, smiling, and everything I needed was there within minutes. Then somehow the service changed and I was served by a waiter which bascially smashed the plates on my table without explaining what had been served or the like which I absolutely disliked. Luckily, for some reason not known to me Carla was serving me again. And let me how great she was. I had ordered a glass of red wine, “Côté Cigales, 2012, Bouches du Rhône (Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache)” (GBP 5.50) which I tried during my meal and I must say it was an absolute no go. I did not like the wine at all. She approached my table and asked me if something was wrong so I told her – and she changed the wine to her suggestion (Culombu, GBP 7.75 per glass) and did not even charge anything to the bill – that is what I call great and attentive service.

The place itself is quite nice too – simple and modern design which makes you feel like getting out of stressful London and having a moment to relax in a close environment where stress cannot reach you. Besides that, the prices are – generally speaking – quite fine too. A double espresso accounts for GBP 3.00, a bottle of water for GBP 7.00 (which I already consider a lot for London though).

Overall, the Restaurant Cigalon is a nice little oasis of peace, the perfect place to flee from the hectical life of London. The lunch set menu you can get via Lime & Tonic is absolutely worth trying as the kitchen does a great job – especially given the price. And last but not least, make sure that Carla will be your waitress because she does a great job (and if her boss reads this, promote her or give her a salary raise).

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Contact Details:

Restaurant Cigalon

Chancery Lane 115

WC2A 1PP London (UK)

Tel.: +44 20 72 42 83 73

E-Mail: bookings@cigalon.co.uk

Homepage: http://www.cigalon.co.uk

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.