L'Eglise

Julia Martin, the English-born co-owner of L'Eglise Restaurant describes her first business venture with her French husband Jean-Christophe as not just a restaurant but 'an Anglo-French collaboration and a real example of the entente cordiale at work'. This passion is evident in every part of the quaint restaurant - from the décor and service, all the way to the food and wines.

A lot of care has gone into giving it the feel of a true Parisian brasserie. The lovely blackboards displaying the day's specials, long leather seats with small intimately set tables and customised wood and pewter tables remind the diner of France. The attractive art deco lettering and the black and white Henri Cartier-Bresson photographs of Paris only intensify this feeling.

Open all days of the week from noon until late, it can cover fifty six diners with a maximum group size of twelve. In fine weather the restaurant can accommodate a further twenty five outside. The menu, in true French style offers set and a la carte menu, including a menu rapide on most days of the week. The day's specials are attractive too as is the roast on Sundays.

Start a meal with a hearty soup, terrine maison or cured ham from the Pyrénées before moving on to duck confit with sweet potato mash or L'Eglise onglet steak echalotte, a French cut steak served with duck fat chips.

The desserts, like the rest of the cuisine, offer classic, traditional and contemporary options. Expect to find crème brûlée and the house speciality, tarte au citron. In keeping with its underlying holy theme, they have a very special dish, and a brand new addition, a religieuse - two chocolate profiteroles stood on top of each other to resemble a nun.

They offer an extensive list of French wines available by the bottle or glass. They consciously choose winemakers who are followers of viticulture raisonée or those who use natural methods rather than chemicals. Experience joie de vivre and enjoy a relaxed French meal at L'Eglise.