The Stoke Newington/Dalston border is having a very exciting time of late! Newbies Fontaine’s AND Original Sin have moved in which makes this area a real go-to destination.
But before all the drinking commences we’d recommend booking a table at Oui Monsieur (not to be confused with Oui Madame, the chef and owners have recently changed!) this special neighbourhood restaurant dishes up traditional French small plates, designed to share.
Gouda cheese strips dipped in mustard (these guys LOVE mustard) surprised us by coming out looking like a cheesestring – however they were a fun way of staving off those hunger pains before moving on to something more substantial.
Plates arrive sequentially and we started with Crispy Cauliflower with curry-mayo, but will be back for the carrots with sweet onions, aromatized cumin & sesame seeds.
Next out of the kitchen was the fish – Cod fish topped a pretty tower of pepper ratatouille and was finished with paprika oil – beautifully seasoned this is where the menu really stepped up a notch!
Organic salmon tartare was equally delicious featuring big chunky pieces of fish with that refreshing acidity tartare needs.
The meat section of the menu is also very strong with Bavette Steak, Lamb chops and Magret de canard des Landes (Duck Breast!) all beautifully presented.
We particularly loved the lamb chops – served with a really chargrilled skin and lovely and pink inside – just perfect!
Fresh cheesecake comes served in a cute jam jar with a berry coulis, totally big enough to share!
Cocktails are expertly made – try the signature Oui, Madame! Crafted from gin, raspberries, elderflower, lemon and sprayed with absinthe right at the table!
If you’re dining with a group they’ve got that covered too with a great big communal table in the back room & set menus starting from a very reasonable £25.
The wine was very quaffable and starts at £4.50 a glass but be sure to grab a glass of the dessert wine with your pudding – a perfect finish to the night.
Downstairs things get naughty in the basement with the wonderful hidden ‘Klub Trop’. Its kitsch, abundance of colour and charm make it one of Stoke Newington’s hidden gems!
‘Oui Monsieur’ is the brainchild of dynamic duo Fabian and Mauricio. Together, the idea was borne to reinvent the well-loved French hangout as ‘Oui Monsieur!’
You’ll find multi-talented Chef Fabian, the Belgian beauty who was raised in the kitchen of his mother’s restaurant in Spain also slipping behind the decks, as when the kitchen closes, his DJ life begins!
You won’t miss Mauricio, as you walk through the door – he’s quite the looker – grab the girls and book a table now for a total swoon fest!
With a passion for France and past experience as restaurant manager for La Bodega Negra and Casa Negra, his skills in service are second to none!
The last words have to go the boys:
“Dalston is our home. London is our playground. We create experiences. Come and live them with us.”
THIS RESTAURANT HAS NOW CLOSED.
