It takes a special occasion for a Londoner to trek across the river during a gloomy winter month – and there better be something good when you arrive on the other side.
So I was absolutely delighted to find that my 45-minute journey was more than worth the trouble.
Ten minutes’ walk from the hustle and bustle of Highbury & Islington station, you’ll find a new restaurant: Bistro Sablé.
It’s hard to go wrong with French cuisine but it’s equally hard to impress, because the bar is always high – the food must be superb, with that ‘je ne sais quoi’ quality.
Thankfully, Bistro Sablé delivered on all fronts.
The restaurant had a cosy, authentic feel with a roaring fire, low mood lighting and tasteful interior.
When we arrived at 6pm, we were among the first diners to arrive but by the time we left two hours later, the venue was jam-packed.
We started with the French Onion Soup – which had more cheese than onions but somehow still tasted just right – and Coquille Saint Jacques (melt-in-your-mouth scallops au gratin served in a shell).
Paired with a bottle of red, of course.
The wine list is an excellent representation of what France has to offer, from a decently priced £6 glass of Côtes de Thau, Baron de Badassiere to the £425 bottle of Ermitage, Le Pavillon, Maison M. Chapoutier – which are both Syrah wines.
But the wine was but an accompaniment to the genius cooked up in the kitchen.
For mains, my plus one enjoyed the Dover Sole Meunière (fish pan-fried in my favourite ingredient: butter) while I got my monthly red meat fill with the ‘steak and frites’ – or more accurately, the Fillet au Poivre served with pommes frites and Roscoff onion.
Both meals were cooked to perfection, with the only slight letdown being the fries, which were just a tad undercooked – but it barely registered as an annoyance.
For dessert, my date and I were equally tempted by the Tarte Tatin, which was caramel-y, moreish and took up half the plate.
Ironically, the subtle shining star of Bistro Sablé isn’t the food (though it is incroyable): It’s the staff.
Our server was friendly but not overbearing, attentive but not constantly in our space.
When we forgot to order a side for the fish and asked to add it last-minute, a bowl of hot, silky soft mash potatoes showed up within minutes and with a smile.
The team floated in the background with a watchful eye over every diner, ready to help at a moment’s notice.
Perhaps it was the wine, perhaps it was the company of my best friend or the amazing food.
Je ne sais quoi.
All I know is this: if you’re looking for a new restaurant to try – whether for Valentine’s Day, a meal with friends or a solo dining experience – Bistro Sablé should be at the top of your list.
