L'Absinthe

While it appears inconspicuous on the outside, inside the dark wood furniture and candle-lit tables make this a smart little French bistro drawing in the trendy Primrose Hill crowd. The wine shop is a welcoming add-on that demonstrates owner Jean-Christophe Slowik's passion for fine wines at wallet-friendly prices.

The cooking is firmly rooted in French tradition, starting with the classic French onion soup and Bayonne dry cured ham, to duck confit with braised Savoy cabbage and jus gras, and pork chop charcutière with mashed potatoes. An organic salmon minute with creamed leeks could inspire a satisfied whisper of delight and so will an Aberdeen Angus rib eye with homemade chips and choice of sauces. Finally its time to surrender to your sweet tooth craving with an apple tarte tatin and Marshfield clotted cream ice cream, or an absinthe crème brûlée.