I first discovered this classical French neighbourhood restaurant five years ago, when I became a patient of the Royal Marsden Hospital’s Fulham Road site: It’s right opposite the Outpatients’ entrance on Dovehouse Street.  I used to really enjoy taking lunch there before or after my initial hospital appointments.

In March 2018 I had a hospital appointment for a minor operation on my abdomen, but I couldn’t make a lunch reservation anywhere because I had no idea what time I’d be discharged from that wonderful hospital.  In the event I was allowed to leave just before noon, so I walked across the street and managed to grab an early table at Le Colombier without a reservation (though it did fill up shortly afterwards).

I felt so very happy: my procedure had gone well, I’d been well looked after by the warm and friendly staff at The Marsden, it was a pleasant spring day in London, and here I was in the peaceful calm of Le Colombier!  I sat in their smart and comfortable main dining room (they do also have an enclosed terrace area at the front) and ordered what has become my favourite from their broad menu of French classics: Steak tartare, frites and a green salad, a glass of pinot noir and a bottle of Badoit.

The front of house team (who I think were all French), in their bow ties, welcomed every customer very warmly, many of whom appeared to be regulars, and some of whom were French, both if which are “good signs”.  They busied themselves around me and brought me a bread basket and a fine white butter. I love their home made melba toasts with that creamy French butter!

My food was exactly how I remembered it to be. The fillet steak had been chopped relatively coarsely, (but it was very tender) and dressed in the traditional shallot, cornichon, parsley, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and egg yolk (they don’t leave the raw yolk on top of the tartare, which some places do).  They leave Tabasco on the table. The fries were a nice light golden colour and not greasy at all, telling me they keep their frying oil fresh and clean. The simple ‘little gem’ lettuce salad had finely chopped shallot and chive and a nice vinaigrette.  This £21 dish was well prepared, delicious and a perfectly satisfying lunch. 10/10

I didn’t bother with a dessert, but ordered a double espresso at a reasonable £3.50.

If you are in the South Kensington area (the museums are very close by) or if you have reason to visit the Royal Marsden hospital, I can thoroughly commend Le Colombier to you!  My total bill was £42.64.  Overall 9/10