Well La Petite maison did not disappoint, a really good news for Mediterranean food lovers in London. First when it launched I was skeptical and did not run to try it in spite of the PR buzz. On the contrary, I hate this kind of so obvious PR-led editorial enthusiasm that announces the launch of the new restaurants in London from those who can afford big PR budgets. But with a good friend in town we decided to give it a go and frankly we had a great time. The vast choice of mainly typically Mediterranean and nicois starters and main courses can be shared between guests (you can safely order 2 or 3 of them for 4 people), all were really tasty and well prepared. I have to confess that I am biased as I am from Nice and for me this is one of the best cuisine in the world, but the London version delivers excellent food and just misses a bit of the excentric authenticity of the original version (those who know the owner in Nice will know what I mean…). Upmarket clientele, not cheap but quality food in a nice surrounding, so try it and tell me what you think about the nicoise cuisine!

Update: Just tried it again yesterday evening outside on their terrasse. This is great as you dont need to book. Perfect service and food. I upgraded to 5 stars and one of my top places in London.

Eagerly anticipated my first visit to La Petite Maison, being a fan of its parent in Nice (and the scary patronne, Nicole) and went for an early lunch - which was just as well, as the place had been booked up for later sittings several days before. The signature dish - poulet aux fois gras - is a large black-leg chicken stuffed with fois gras for two and must be ordered in advance, which I duly did - and then fielded no less than four calls on my mobile before I reached the restaurant, to determine if I was still coming (I was - and on time) and then the exact time that it should be served. Very correct - but a touch uber-enthusiastic nevertheless. We started with the famous salade d'artichauts - roughly chopped artichoke with parmesan - perhaps a little too much parmesan this time - washed down with a first-rate Sancerre Prestige. When the poulet came it was superb - and impressively substantial (see photo). I remember little of the rest of the meal as my companion is invariably entertaining but I noted that the menu was a replica of the Nice carte and had on it such dishes as loup de mer en croute de sel for which one formerly had to invest in ticket on the Blue Train to consume. The service was accomplished if not as memorable as in Nice, and the large bright room bore a contented lunchtime buzz and the smell of success.