Petit auberge combines the best of all worlds. It's beautiful, the food is delicious, the prices are reasonable, it's creative and it's comfortable. The music is never too loud and the service is fantastic. There's no pretence - just fantastic mojito crepes, coq au vin, French onion soup 🇫🇷 and aubergine bake. Nestled in upper street, it has all the reasons to be f my favourite European restaurants in London.

The Steak Test. From my point of view, kept in context with everything else that matters, it is the quality of the steak that defines an establishment. And I am very difficult to please.

La Petite Auberge is a fine little bistro. Very reasonably priced, perfectly charming, and the food is elegant in its refined simplicity, in a way that I think only the French can muster.

I have to confess that I deviated from the menu. I walked in with an idea in my head, a craving if you will, and they were happy to indulge me.

I forget what sauce was on offer with the sirloin, but I asked with a smile if instead I could just have some garlic butter. Maybe some freshly chopped parsley. Garlic and parsley butter would be perfect. But only if the chef agreed and had time...

The chef seems to have understood. My steak arrived perfectly cooked. Well sourced beef, rich with iron, tender under the knife and melting in your mouth. The vegetable side was succulent, crisp and tasted green (which is another marker of quality in my book). And on the side in a little jug was a perfect garlic butter and fresh herb sauce, which did not otherwise feature on the menu.

Simple and gracious service. Simple and elegant food that allows each ingredient to shine naturally because they've taken the care to find quality produce and know how to cook. It just makes you love the French....

I am yet to explore more of their menu, apart from a delicious taste of my friend's choice of main, however someone in that kitchen understands food. Culinarily speaking I would trust them with my life.