Mignonette Bistro

Where To Dine Along The District Line

"There are few things as comforting in the restaurant world as a good French bistro . The simplicity of their offering, from the warm, unglitzy décor to the pared-back cooking, makes them feel homely and accessible. Mignonette is the perfect example, ideal for Francophones with its hearty classical cuisine, and great value too – with the set lunch menu an absolute steal. Even better, it’s just a short walk from the renowned Kew Gardens, a must-visit for anyone travelling to London." - Andrew Young

"How lucky are the residents of Kew? Not only do they have the world-famous gardens on their doorstep, but they’re also the beneficiaries of this terrific little restaurant. Simple, homely and French to its core, this is the epitome of a neighbourhood bistro. The cooking is uncomplicated, hearty fare; bookend your meal with the homemade bread and the pear tarte Tatin, which is well worth the 20-minute wait. Come in the day for the exceptionally well-priced lunch menu, where the dishes are just as delicious and generous." - Michelin Inspector

London’s New Restaurant Openings

"Richmond locals are getting a neighbourhood bistro—Mignonette. Expect butcher’s plates piled with stuffed pig’s trotters, calves sweetbreads, and ox cheek bordelaise, as well as shallot tatins with vegan blue cheese. There’ll also be a very reasonable £19 three-course set lunch on weekdays, and a three-course Sunday lunch for £25. We recently checked out Mignonette. Read our first thoughts here.   " - sinead cranna, rianne shlebak

Mignonette Bistro - Review - Richmond - London - The Infatuation

"For a well-priced meal in a charming location (on a leafy, village-like street in Richmond), Mignonette Bistro is a good option. Well-dressed locals and couples fill up the French restaurant, but we were left wanting the odd linen napkin here and some sexier lighting there to create a bit of a mood. But that’s Mignonette. It’s not a ‘pick me’ kind of restaurant. The leather seats and stripped-back space match the food, which is elegant and classic. There are some thoughtful and tasty vegan options too, like the courgette flower filled with vegan goat cheese and the shallot tatin. While meals here won’t blow you away, Mignonette is a solid choice for a Richmond date night, or for the person in your life who appreciates a perfectly rolled rabbit roulade. photo credit: Jamie Jignovese photo credit: Jamie Jignovese Food Rundown Duck Fat Brioche With Selection Of Pâté And Terrines, Plum Confit Five different pâtés are presented and explained to you. Which, if you’re anything like us, you’ll forget after a few mouthfuls. From then on, it’s a game of meaty roulette. Which is OK because they’re all delicious. We liked the coarser ham hock and the duck studded with orange best. But the bread was bland. photo credit: Jamie Jignovese Courgette Flower, Goats Cheese, Asparagus, Peas, Basil Aioli We swore to never eat vegan cheese again after a cauliflower pizza incident. But this redeems the entire genre of vegan cheese. It's tangy and creamy, and works well with the fresh, crisp asparagus and rich basil aioli. photo credit: Sinéad Cranna Grilled Rabbit, Roast Garlic, Peas A La Francaise, Sauce Cassoulet Savoury bits of salty bacon and sweet onion mixed with buttery peas are always going to be a winner when done well—and this one is. The rest of the dish is a mix of comforting beige things—bean stew, mash, gravy, rabbit. While nothing is bad, it’s not particularly exciting or memorable. photo credit: Sinéad Cranna Crêpe Soufflé The inside of this soufflé is almost like candy floss: it’s so light and fluffy that it melts away to nothing with just a few bites. The outside is pleasingly slightly crispier in contrast. We just wished the flavour had been as memorable as the texture—sadly it was a bit bland. PlayMute video credit: Sinéad Cranna Complimentary Canelé With White Chocolate And Olives This free dessert was the best sweet treat. The micro canelés have a spongy centre and crystallised, sugary crust. The addition of white chocolate shards with bits of olive running through was inspired—the tangy, salty olives tempering the sweetness. photo credit: Sinéad Cranna" - Sinéad Cranna