Traiteur N4

In an area already ridiculously well spoiled for choice, this restaurant just might be the best of the bunch. Traiteur’s food is beautifully presented and cooked with flair, imagination and the utmost care and attention. Seasonal ingredients are used sensitively and there is also the chance to BYO with a reasonable corkage fee. Cooking this good doesn’t usually exist outside the rarefied world of the Michelin guide, and I have to think back to a lunch at Chez Bruce a few months ago to recall food of a similar style and quality. All this is made better still by the totally unpretentious manner of the service and the welcoming and informal environment. If I could make one tiny tiny complaint, it’s that the cheeseboard suffers from a slight lack of variation - stick on a blue and a stinky washed rind and world domination will be inevitable. BRAVO!

Friends took us there for dinner on Wednesday. We had an exceptionally good meal. I tasted two starters and four mains and all were delicious. It is very high-quality, sophisticated cooking. It isn't cheap but not badly priced for the quality. Portions were generous too, and the staff were really friendly and warm. A few minor quibbles but overall an extremely good meal and enjoyable evening.