If, like me, you’re on the quest to find the perfect onion soup in London, then consider your search over with this gem nestled in the heart of Islington.
Taking over what used to be Smokehouse, Bistro Sablé is the latest restaurant from the Noble Inn collection (The Albion, The Pig & Butcher, and The Princess of Shoreditch). The Parisian-inspired restaurant serves authentic French food - the type that’s exactly what you’d hope to eat before an afternoon nap on a winter's day.
Inside Bistro Sablé, you'll find traditional interiors and dinner by candlelight.
DesignMyNight's Review Of Bistro Sablé In Islington
Need To Know:
- Address: 63-69 Canonbury Road, N1 2DG
- Area: Islington
- Cuisine: French
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: the layout was the same as its predecessor, proving that you don’t need to overhaul the bricks and mortar to make something new and exciting. Upon entry, the earthy smell of the wood burner filled our noses, vintage French prints lined the walls, and the crisp table cloths and candlelit tables added an element of simplicity and intimacy.
- Perfect for: dinner with friends or a date (if you’re looking to woo with snails and skip the plane ticket to Paris).
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £115 for two, excluding service charge.
The French onion soup (pictured left) and crème caramel (right).
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- French onion soup (£8) - this was absolutely sublime. It had such a nostalgic depth to it that, upon first slurp, I felt instantly relaxed. A generous amount of melted cheese atop deeply soaked bread gave it a naughty quality, but one I revelled in. The only thing that could’ve made this experience better was if it were snowing outside.
- Beef bourguignon with pancetta and coquilettes (£24) - rich in flavour and with a velvety sauce, the bourguignon was a fantastic pick. The fork glided through it with ease, and the meat melted in the mouth.
- Crème caramel (£9) - picture perfect, this was a lightly silky dome with a halo of golden caramel, oh-so-delightful and airy to eat. The perfect end to a rather heavy meal.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Sancerre, Les Caillottes, Jean Max Roger (£13) - a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire, which was crisp and mineral-driven. It paired well with the wild halibut, another dish we ordered for our mains, and I was able to get very refreshing notes of grapefruit and lemon from it.
Our Overall Experience At Bistro Sablé
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bistro Sablé is an excellent example of simplicity done well. It was a refreshing dining experience in a time when many can be curated with social media in mind. I found the classic dishes here to be highly enjoyable, and the service was fantastic - everyone was so polite. I can’t wait to return; there's a steaming bowl of French onion soup with my name on it.
