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Mercury may be the Roman God of poetry, but Le Mercury is poetry in motion and London's God of value. Off the beaten path, yet worth the hike, take the Victoria Line to Highbury and Islington, turn right out of the station and walk 10 minutes to TravelValue heaven ... HOOAH!
Arriving 30 minutes before our reservation, thanks to an extremely efficient Tube journey, we were greeted warmly and seated at a table in the dark, romantic room surrounded by tables with white linen tablecloths each with a large candle on top. We started with bottles of Ochagavia (Chile - £16.95), an oaky, scrumptious cabernet sauvignon, and Hildon sparkling water (750 ml - £2.50).
The service impeccable, all starters are just £4.45 ($6.15) and all main courses £10.95 ($15.15 - except the steak which was £12.95 - $18), a bargain for the quality and flavor. My wife ordered the Chèvre Chaud Grilled Goats' Cheese starter with a salad garnish and basil pesto sauce and I had the Moules Marinière (mussels) in a white wine and cream sauce with "shallots, garlic, lemon and parsley". The goat cheese tart was tastefully presented as well as being light, yet savory, and flavorful. My mussels were plentiful for the price, but there was little sauce and what was there was a tad bland with nary a hint of the shallots, garlic or parsley as noted in the description. Still, they were flavorful and a good value.
For our main courses, my better half had the Asperges et Cheddar Tart, small cheddar tarts topped with asparagus spears in a balsamic reduction and a sliced avocado garnish in between the two. She did not care for the dish, as I thought might be the case, because of the balsamic vinegar which she is not a great fan of to begin with. I gave her half of my Entrecôte ă l’échalotte (grilled rib eye steak), served in a lovely shallot and red wine sauce, along with some of my chips (fries for you Yanks - £1.95) in return her second tart. I thought that the tart was quite delicious, but I am quite fond of balsamic and the avocado garnish was a nice, complimentary addition.
I was stuffed, so no dessert for me, but my "sweet"-loving wife (she is "sweet" and "loving too) had to have her favorite, Crème Brûlée (£3.45), which was a bit on the small side, but scrummy nonetheless.
At £63.42 ($87.90), including a 10% service charge, we ate like kings and queens, appropriately enough. A comparable meal would have easily set us back $110-$125 in the States. The sole "Bomb" deduction is due to the not-so-flavorful sauce the mussels came in and the damp slice of bread that came in our first basket, which they apologized for and quickly replaced.
CombatCritic Gives Le Mercury 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!
Nine Bombs Equates To: OOH-RAH!
Translation for Civilians: "U.S. Marine Response To A Verbal Greeting Or As An Expression Of Enthusiasm"
My go to French restaurant when in London. Quaint and intimate with good value for money compared to the usual London prices. Service is always good and so is the food. Book though, as this place is small and it fills up quick 👍
Uptown and wanting to push the boat out a little. Have walked past this restaurant for years but never went in.
So me and a friend decided we woukd take the plunge!
Small, intimate and perfect for a romantic night out.
Tables are a little bit too close for my liking, otherwise the table setting was inviting and crisp.
Wine glasses shining and cutlery gleaming.
Menu is a variety of French classics.
I decided upon pheasant and my friend went for the duck. Both cooked beautifully and duck rare, with crisp skin. Perfect.
Wine was expensive but the menu had an extensive list to choose from.
I was too full for dessert.
An intimate restaurant, perfect for date night!
It’s date night. You want to exude the romance and sophistication of suggesting French food, but you’re also on a budget. You’ve probably seen that the Bunch have tried and tested plenty of London’s high-end French restaurants on the blog, but if you’re looking for something more casual than crème de la crème then Le Mercury might be it.
This is a very reasonably priced French restaurant on Upper Street in an intimate venue. You can get a three course meal with wine for about £25 per head. Decent portion sizes and lovely service.
Bistro - chicly cheap. (Visit 10/5/10) My second trip to this restaurant, not quite as good as the first, but still serving decent French bistro fare for very reasonable prices. We had foie gras and duck ballotine for starter but weren't convinced it went with the bramley apple puree. Roast breast of barbary duck and honeyed pork belly for main course - both very nice. Service good. Bill for two, with a drink each, inc tip = £35
Candlelight dinner, not candelight prices. Always great French food, and manages to combine energy and being romantic at the same time. Plus, you're left with enough money for a bottle of champagne on the way home!
Great Value, Great Food. The food was really well priced. Everything was tasty. The starter was quite small, but still really tasty.
I got the seafood ravioli. tasty.
Gingle Lists Everything
+4.5
... the roast saddle of lamb with grilled courgettes and rosemary jus (how good does that sound? Rosemary jus!) and Alison had the rib-eye. Well, someone had to at that price. We got some chips to share but it turned out my lamb came with pomme puree anyway....
Le Mercury is a great find amid the mass of over priced chain restaurants in Angel. The food (bar dessert) is consistently good, which is why I've been time and time again. The menu never changes and isn't that varied, but I think that's what allows them to charge so little for the food. It's a great venue for dinner with a group of friends or for a romantic meal if you're on a budget.
Le Mercury is a good, not too expensive place to go and get some nice nourishing food. What it isn't, is a good place to go for a Sunday Roast. The food was good, I mean it best Sunday Roast I've ever had, but it also wasn't the worst Sunday Roast. That still sits with The Bull. Still having nightmares about that. What really spoilt it was the vibe of the place. If I was pre or post theatre, or on an early date with a girl, then this is the perfect place. It's all very dimly lit, candle lit, romantically lit type of place. The service is a little more than you would expect in a place such as this. It's all a bit formal. It's all a bit pre or post theatre. It's not for a Sunday Roast. Saying that, the roast wasn't bad. Nice cut of well cooked, juicy beef. A bit tight on the roasties, but they were good none the less. Well cooked carrots and broccoli. Pretty tasty gravy. The plate was restaurant plated, not Sunday Roast plated. It's just the vibe that killed the roast. I'm not really int
Le Mercury is a causal French restaurant with AMAZING prices. You can get a 3 course meal which includes a starter, entree and dessert £14.85
The obvious choice for a pre-theatre dinner before catching a play at the Almeida Theatre would be the Almeida itself, which is located right opposite the theatre. That said, theatre goers are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options. Other than The Almeida, the little café within the theat
One night, not so many weeks ago, I was out with the guys from Tipped.co.uk (fantastic social guide to things in London), making pom-poms at The Make Lounge (very cool place for getting crafty). I remember walking home (vaguely, as there was, somewhat sur
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This place was recommended to me by a friend, though I have been to Le Mercury only once, it's a place I will definitely go back to. The great quality and the good price make dining there feel like a good bargain, especially as it's guarantee that you will leave the place feeling full and satisfied. I would advise booking in advance as the place could get crowded.
The food was simply amazing, I had the Chevre Chaud as a starter which was tasty but not too filling, a good way to begin your meal but leaving enough room for the main course. As a main course I had the Boulettes de Pomme de Terre, which are basically gnocchi in a delicious squash cream. What I loved about that dish was that you could taste the potatoes from the gnocchi, as the squash sauce did not cover the taste. What surprised me, was that the portions of food were big enough that you wondered if you would be able to finish it all. I did, but after the starter and the main course I had no room for dessert. Though I had not personally ordered it myself, I tasted the duck from a friend, and it's something I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good dish of meat.
It had a nice and cosy atmosphere with candlelight, and the service was quick and good even though all tables were full. Our waiter was often checking on us making sure we had all we needed, and the staff was nice and welcoming. Despite being particularly crowded, the candlelit atmosphere and the small tables made it feel intimate, it's a good venue for dates or also group reunions as there is a big room upstairs they book for private events. Definitely a place I would recommend to friends and go to again.
Love this little restaurant, especially love how cosy it is and that special corner table upstairs :)
spent new years here a couple years ago, so affordable and delicious.
What an absolute find. If you're looking for a crowd pleasing spot to have dinner with a group, this place is a dream. At a budget friendly fiver-a-starter, tenner-a-main no one will complain. You get what you pay for though, and service is spectacularly relaxed. But really, who cares? I shared the calamari and goats cheese salad starters with a friend, and had the steak as a main. Decent portion sizes, and the food is nothing special. It's decent fare at decent prices, with drinkable wine in a setting that's fancier than you expect for this price point. Next time someone suggests dinner when you're counting down to the next paycheck, book in here!
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Something so quaint that doesn't break the bank.
I was told about this place by a friend and decided to go for a birthday meal, and we didn't even book and managed to get a table easily but if you are rushing make sure you plan ahead.
The food for the price is amazing. We had starters and mains and really enjoyed every bite.
I started with the Lobster and Crayfish ravioli which wasn't too fishy and the sauce was to die for, a perfect creamy sauce that wasn't overly buttery which can happen sometimes.
For the seconds I had the lamb but managed to taste the gnocchi too. The lamb was perfect and juicy especially being paired with the au ju sauce. The gnocchi was perfect the butternut squash wasn't to overpowering and made a perfect addition.
Overall the meal was a perfect choice and everything we ate complimented it and the service was great even when it was busy and the look of the inside is homely with the candles and close by tables that don't feel too close to the neighbour table.
If you're looking for an enjoyable experience that really won't break the bank this is your place to go.
My favourite restaurant in London - I travel up from South London especially to go there. VERY good food, very reasonably priced. The menu is small but has everything you need. The pork in particular is a winner, although I've tried everything on the menu and it's all fabulous.
It's really busy all the time, so booking is recommended for Fri/Sat eves in particular. The tables are very tightly packed in but the atmosphere is great and the service is friendly. In particularly busy periods there's a wait on food to be served, but if you've got a nice glass of wine and good company that's not a problem.
Make Le Mercury top of your to do list very soon!!
This small restaurant is so popular on upper street that Mercury Deuxieme (the second) opened a bit further down the street. It is almost impossible to have a seat during the week end if you do not want to wait for some time. The atmosphere is buzzing and relaxed. The food is good, fresh and very cheap, you can not get it wrong! I would recommend this place for a relaxed not too intimate date or dinner with friends. The mercury is one of these places in London you definitely want on your 'to do' list. Enjoy!
I have to say I am very surprised to read the other reviews! One of my French friends picked this restaurant and we went there as a group of 6-7. I immediately really liked the small and cosy/hectic setting as it feels very homelike.
The Salmon was absolutely brilliant and the fried Calamari was very delicious. The prices are ridiculously low and the service is average. By looking at the other reviews I'm starting to think maybe I was one of the few lucky customers but somehow I can't imagine that would be true.
For such a price Le Mercury is probably one of your best bets around Angel.
Excellent place! We found this little nook very spontaneously but it was such a treat. Went there with a friend and the interiors were so cozy yet stunning. We got sat right by the window and and the service was really lovely. We ordered four starters that included one with prawns, the camembert, the goats cheese and the aubergine one and they all tasted amazing. the bread they served went very well with our food and some delicious wine! all of that came to about £28.
overall was a great experience! suitable for more intimate dinners rather than big groups as the restaurant is quite on the smaller side.
A cosy restaurant serving French style cuisine. Has a rather interesting decor with mock theatre booths which you can dine in... although you probably will need to crouch to fit into. Food represents very good value for money with starters approx £6 and mains from £14 with good Service too. Recommended.
Absolutely lovely evening meal. Great and welcoming staff, honest and delicious food. Loved it 30 years ago, loved it tonight. Thank you. (God that slow cooked lamb was good). Ace.
Had my birthday party here last night and had a really excellent time! Even though there were 25 of us, the food came out really quickly and was absolutely delicious - everyone rated it really highly. We did the party offer that was £16.80 for three courses and the portions were huge! Great atmosphere in the upstairs room and service from Vlada was brilliant - she almost single-handedly took care of us all night, was incredibly friendly and helpful, and always had a smile on her face! Such an asset to the restaurant. It's a perfect venue for a delicious meal with friends and a great place to celebrate in style - thank you for making it a top night! Will definitely be back :)
This restaurant is almost an Islington institution and used to be my favourite French restaurant in the whole of london.
I used to come here every few weeks but unfortunately haven’t been to this restaurant for the last 5 years.
I finally managed to visit it again tonight but things are bit different. The menu still offers a nice selection of French cuisine at a good price (fix prix menu for 2/3 courses)
But the taste in my opinion has changed.
It’s less flavourful I mean it’s not bad but I remembered it was better in the past.
I also believe the whole kitchen team has changed so maybe it’s a new owner?
Service was still fast and friendly.
I mean it’s still good but not as amazing as it used to be.
Had the 3-course prix fixe menu which was really lovely, and great value for money. The decor is a little unusual and dated, but the service and quality of the food make that irrelevant. Definitely recommend it.
I hadn't been to le Mercury for years. No reason, just lockdown etc. Am pleased to say it was as good as I remember. Excellent food, still reasonable prices, and our waiter was great. Am not going to leave it another few years this time...
I used to visit quite often when I lived nearby and always loved the unpretentious atmosphere and (great value) classic French food.
Having not been for over 10 years, my wife and I visited recently and were very pleased that little has changed in the meantime.
Friendly, fast service and a small menu of bistro classics (which hasn't really changed, a good sign) made for a really enjoyable dinner. I ordered the pork belly again, and the unctuousness never fails to please!
Very reasonably priced and always full, I recommend it.
Food was fantastic and is very reasonably priced for this part of London! Had some of the best Calamari I've ever tasted as a starter. Highly recommend the rib-eye steak, duck and pork belly as main options.
Lovely French meal in a bistro atmosphete at reasonable price.
Delicious food, however cheese plater felt like it was taken straight out of the fridge. Would be better if it was room temperature to actually enjoy the cheese. Apart from that, I am pretty sure I will be back.
Really good value French-style food. Had a lovely 3 course lunch for the price of a main in a pub.
Lovely French restaurant that we went without booking on a Friday night. The prices are super affordable for the quality and size, it was quite authentic, my ribeye steak was perfectly cooked with a flavorful peppercorn sauce, the duck was pink in the middle - but slightly overcooked on the edges although the gratin dauphinois was delicious! :) loved the lobster and crayfish raviolo but the foie gras lacked a tiny bit of taste although still enjoyable on a soft brioche bread.
Had a very pleasant evening at Le Mercury! The venue itself is the cutest thing ever; the food was 10/10 and the customer service was brilliant.
One of my favourite local spot in Islington in the busy Upper Street. I have been living in the area for few years now and Le Mercury is always one of my favourite place.
The ambience is warm and cozy, I especially like the evenings, the only lights you have are the one from the candles making a soft but yet bright enough light.
Not has “french” as before but you can still find dishes like beef bourguignon and the duck.
I can see the menu has changed from the previous one paying attention in vegetarian/vegan friendly options, looks like they are experimenting with the menu and personally I like the direction is taking :)
The food is yummy. The vegan satay sneakers have been widely appreciated by my meat lover friends 🌱
Ste staff is friendly and attentive, a lovely experience. Will visit more often
Always a pleasure attending one of my top picks for French restaurants in London. Selective menu with a wide variety. Food is always done to a high standard, packed full of flavours and a great warm atmosphere
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