Elsa

Located beneath a mustard yellow awning on Charlotte Street, I visited Elsa (formally known as July). In this petite French eatery you will be greeted with an atmosphere more akin to a casual gathering amongst friends; no braggadocio in sight. As you step in there is an essence of a millennial charm (the good kind), all of which foreshadows the food that is to be served. For starters I had the roasted carrots with fig leaf, graceburn and hazelnuts. It was a beautifully balanced with the carrots cooked to perfection having a gentle sweetness and just the right amount of bite making you forget this is a vegetarian dish. The freshness of the whipped graceburn added a lovely depth which was only amplified by the warmth of the hazelnuts. Bavette steak with colston basset cheese sauce, fig, and radicchio was brought over for the mains. The steak was the perfect medium rare that could be eaten with a spoon which was made increasingly decadent with the creamy funky source. The radicchio and sweet figs were the ideal accoutrements that aided in alleviating the intensity; rounding off the savoury portion of the meal nicely. As a side I had the green salad with Riesling vinaigrette which was the only setback to an otherwise glorious run. Not to say it was bad in anyway it was just boring… Maybe  that was the point? Make the main dish the star, and not let the sides draw attention away from it? But it just lacked any inspiration. After a tiny blip with the sides, I was brought back around and blown away with the sweetcorn creme Brulle. It was the best crème brulle I have had thus far. A delicious enhancement on a classic, the sweetcorn added a richness in colour and in taste with a saltiness that intensified the vibrancy to the original creme brulle. The blueberry compote that cut through the luscious crème like a knife with notes of Assam tea which took me back to the warm evenings sat in the parks of Bangladesh; sipping on tea in clay pots. An absolute delight, I would have gladly enjoyed 2 or 3 more. The staff were knowledgeable, not obsequious and provided great recommendations. We went for the Cote de Rhone wine which was a delicious with notes of dark fruits and burst of pepper without being too heavy. It would serve as an excellent option for summer or as a transition from lighter to a richer wine; in any case, it was well received and appreciated. From the decor to the starter to the dessert, the word that sticks out was homely. Elsa lacked any pretentiousness; it is the kind of place you want to make your regular because you know that’s where comfort lies and is full of brightness. No ingredient was obscure or radical nor exotic in the modern culinary climate, but it did not need to be. The dishes were a reminder that everyday ingredients we take for granted like corn or carrots that can be transformed into something special. It was truly wonderful.

Small intimate bistro on Charlotte Street, recommended by foodie friends and I can see why. We lusted over the Coq au Riesling (for two) on the next table but it was a ginormous chicken in a sauce our neighbors pronounced heavenly and we were too tempted by the range of starters. First time here, not the last! Helpful staff, wonderful evening. Thanks xx

Fusion French cuisine Dishes were in small portion and good for sharing Interesting and creative combination of ingredient Love the salt cold stuffed in tomato, the freshness and sweetness of the tomato pairs perfectly with the saltiness from the cod The food didn’t wow me but the palate was in harmony We love the dessert-apple fritter with Buckwheat ice cream (didn’t taste much of buckwheat bug more like vanilla) Service was great, and the staff was very friendly and warm and helpful We also love the ambience and interior of the place :) Song choice is questionable (would be even better if they play softer and calmer tunes)

Great French bistro! We loved the warm hospitality. The food was classic French — the menu was a bit small but well thought out. The madeleines were amazing (just remember to order them in advance, as they take 20 minutes to prepare). The wine we chose paired beautifully with the meal. It was a great dinner, and we’ll definitely be back.

Very cosy French bistro vibes and finally a restaurant that doesn’t rush or chase you on the meal. Pollock and tomato tarte tatin were two stand outs. Cod’s roe was generous in portion but sadly not enough crudités or crisps to finish it off. Wanted to try the duck breast but sadly they were out. Madeleines were delish but lemon curd is leaning on the overly tangy side. Service was excellent and attentive.

Fabulous yummy weekday lunch. Pork cheek was fork tender and perfectly complemented by the summery corn/sage/girolle combo. The made to order madeleines are not to be missed!

April 2025 - reduced rating from 5 to 2 We’ve dined at this restaurant 4 times before and always enjoyed it, but sadly, tonight was a real letdown — we left disappointed and, quite literally, with a bitter taste in our mouths. Starter (Fried Artichoke), Main (Dandelion in the Pork Collar dish), Dessert (Candied Peel Sorbet) were all un-enjoyablely and overwhelmingly bitter. None of the dishes struck the right balance. Rye Bread was dry and hard. We ordered 4 portions of Madeleines for 5 people to share. 2 portions came instead. We mentioned this to the waitress and were kindly offered a complementary sorbet. Unfortunately, the sorbet was so bitter with multiple huge pieces of orange skins in every bite, we all ended the dinner feeling so unpleasant. When our mains arrived, the waiter forgot to give us cutlery. We had to chase them for it…The only good dish was Potato Cake and White Asparagus. Such a letdown compared to how I found this place 6 months ago… October 2024 *What a nice surprise and already thinking of our next visit…💛 We had a variety of dishes, including the charcuterie, cockles, smoked trout, ox tongue, skate schnitzel, and madeleines, each one is delicious in its own way. We enjoyed every bite and left feeling super happy. The space is on the cosy side, but the food and attentive service more than make up for it.

Everything was delicious and fresh. Roasted chicken was some of the best I’ve had in London. Friendly service and charming interior. Would definitely come again