Green Man & French Horn in City of London, Westminster

I took my now wife to this restaurant, and we enjoyed a really lovely evening with exquisite french cooking there. Its such a shame that it has now gone!

Great great service. Wonderful food and wine. Have been back several times for drinks at the bar. Very unique warm atmosphere.

Este fue mi restaurante favorito aunque recientemente ha cerrado. El servicio y el ambiente era genial. La lista de vinos menos obvio insectos fantásticos. La comida era deliciosa. Yo a menudo tienen el huevo de pato con soldados anchoa seguido por el calamar y black pudding. El venado siempre fue divino. Es muy triste que ha cerrado

No Bad at all, the food is good and the service is quite helpful, definitely come back if in the area!!!!!

Este es un "país" restaurante francés y no un "pomposo" restaurante francés, que tiene una experiencia genial pre-teatro de comedor. La sopa de alcachofas judía fue una de las mejores sopas nunca. La salchicha lentejas y plato principal era también muy bueno. Mi esposa tuvo la excelente y generosa porción de lomo de cerdo. Volveremos. abren de 530 h y llenar rápidamente por un espacio relativamente pequeño. Vaya temprano.

Hay críticas que me dio sentimientos encontrados con antelación de ir al "Green Horn" ya que hemos rebautizado como este lugar. Un amigo y yo francés tenía una fabulosa cena pre-teatro aquí - Jerusalén cremosa sopa de alcachofas, salchichas y Puy lentejas. Fue muy bueno y bueno, rápido servicio. Mi amigo francés Fifi altamente valorado y ella debe saber - imagínense!

recently down in London on business and chanced upon this establishment when seeking somewhere for lunch. Food was of a good quality, staff helpful and overall a good experience. Would recommend a visit if you need a quick lunch.

Hay poco peor en un restaurante de la presentación de mediocridad como comida tradicional calidad servida en un punto de precio premium - y eso es exactamente lo que está ocurriendo aquí. El menú era tan decepcionante que tenía un segundo plato en vez de una main: es comida francesa de campesinos que no tiene lugar en la St Martin's lane, o en Londres en general, para ese asunto.

Grave. A pesar de una breve carta , artículos ya estaban disponibles a las 7 pm. La enorme lista de vinos sugiere que esto debería ser un bar de vinos y no un restaurante . I adore el vino, pero no aprecio que éste está limitado a la Loire, no una sorprendente región.

Reservamos aquí para una escapada juntos y almuerzo de cumpleaños, como tarde un almuerzo como sea posible ya que tenía que coger los trenes a las 8 de la tarde Ish. que resultó ser en 2,45 . A la llegada nos dijeron que teníamos que pedir tan pronto como sea posible ya que la cocina cerraba a las 3:00 pm. Pedimos una botella gala de Rose champán que no estaba helada, nuestra comida, lo que era muy bueno. Cerdo Rillettes para empezar, tal vez un poco sólido y mucho. danza del vientre de ternera, nunca tuvimos que antes, pero que era excelente. Luego intentó pedir vino tinto para ir con esto, vino de la casa era muy finas y ácidos, un segundo intento probado gluey y 3 años de edad, en el final de nuestro número valientemente arado a través de la lista de vinos y tuvimos una cara botella de Syrah. Los postres estaban bien, café a seguir. Nos quedamos hasta las 5:00 p.m., no teníamos prisa después de que nos había puesto nuestra orden. Por alguna razón, al ser matemáticamente ligadas impugnada, que se solucionó la factura, no se dé cuenta de que no era del 12,5 % servicio ya añadida, redondeadas a añadir una propina, pero de alguna manera nos dijeron que £4 corto. En casa hoy he ido a través de esta ley y sin duda pagado más de lo que nos cobraron, así que no entienden que en absoluto. La comida y el servicio era bueno, el resto ... No puedo ver yo dar prisa en volver.

Always good to return to a restaurant and have a meal just as good as the first. Really fantastic regional French food. Yes, the wine menu is a bit confusing (listed by location, not price, and about 10 pages long..) but our (very friendly) waiter (could have been the manager now I think about it) was happy to provide tasters so we could choose. Our waitress was new that day but had obviously been trained well and we thought she was fantastic. Spiced Negroni's were excellent.It's a small restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere, and I would happily return again.If I were to offer and tips...I'd recommend booking, whatever the time of day/day of the week.Try the duck egg and anchovy soldiers - quite interesting and totally delicious.

Went there with 2 friends from work for some wine. The restaurant is small but cosy and cute looking. We sat at the bar. In charge of choosing the wine I have to say that I struggled a great deal.. Their wine list is a book with way too many (crazy expensive) options. I opted for one of the cheapest "la cuvee Pif" at £18.50 which turned out to be quite nice. You just have to be patient and keep turning the numerous pages...Food wise, we had some nibbles.. 2 miniature pieces of cheese at £4 each (!!) and a plate of fresh cheese (£5) each. A bit too much of onions in my opinion but ok.Our waitress was very friendly and we ended up having a good time but I wouldn't go back there for food as it's just too expensive for what you get.

This place is all about terroir so so it all come from the Loire valley. The food is authentic, rustic French, and it was all really good - nothing fancy, just good and wholesome. Service was great. The servers made some effort to ensure we would like what we ordered. When a friend asked about the andouillette we were advised "if you're not sure, don't order it." WHen I had the belly pork, I was warned it was very fatty. I did ask what the sauce was, but the waiter described the dish but didn't mention the sauce. Never mind. It was very nice. My one criticism is how cramped the tables were, We had to wait until the people at the next table left before my very skinny friends could sit down at our table. They were inches apart and there is no way we could have sat if the next table remained occupied. When we left one poor lady had to keep moving her chair so people could open the door. Shame as it's good food, expensive, but not massively so. If they took out two or three tables it would be an excellent restaurant.

Popped in for a quick lunch today. Food was consistently excellent, but the attitude of the front of house ruined the occasion. Haughty and arrogant, the maitre d' crushed guests together at adjacent tables despite the place being more or less empty. The best example of their short-sighted attitude was when our neighbours asked to have a glass of wine that was clearly full of sediment removed from the bill . . . the head waiter announced this was 'impossible' as the customer 'had drunk some'. To his credit the guy didn't lose his cool and just refused to pay service instead. Given he was with a famous TV actress, I suspect the resulting bad word of mouth here in Theatreland will cost them thousands in business all for the sake of a few quid of bad wine.It's a shame as the cooking was accurate and flavoursome, though seasoning was a bit touch and go. I love Brawn in Bethanal Green, where the staff are charming and understand how to make customers feel special. But the Covent Garden boss should simply not be in the hospitality business.

For a very French ambience and menu, with excellent Loire Valley wines, this place is great. I guess if you are looking for something a bit different in London, it could be regarded as quirky. Small, narrow restaurant that our party of four found very comfortable. I'd possibly not recommend it for a larger group.We shared some fascinating appetisers- the most notable being a duck egg with "anchovy soldiers". Easy and effective service made the sharing all work really well, EG with extra plates, more bread, etc. Simple? Not to a lot of pretentious restaurants.We all enjoyed our main courses, but my beef dish got the most compliments. Everyone tried it!Loire wines are not everyone's taste, but I love their contrast to my more familiar Aussie reds. Give this place a try, but make sure you book. You will either love it as we did, or the style is not for you - GM&FH is a lovely example of the genre.

This very charming little place is perfectly located for London's theatre district. Many of the big shows are just a few minutes walk away and they do a specific, quicker, pre-theatre menu. The place looks really cute too, very French (as are the staff. Though, thankfully, unlike being in France, these people were actually very friendly). It felt a lot warmer than some of the places in the neighbourhood.I went for the set pre-theatre menu (2 courses, £14.50). The main course of cod was really good and my dessert of white chocolate mousse was also decent. As there are only 2 choices of mains, my partner ordered off the a la carte menu (pork belly) and it came out as quickly as mine, which was helpful. None of the food was spectacular, but it was all good and perfect for what we were looking for that night. And very reasonable prices. There is an extensive French wine menu. I didn't have any but I wasn't hugely impressed with the Chenin my partner had: a bit too fruity. But there's so much else to choose from I'm sure there are some very good ones. We arrived at 6pm and were out the door for our show by 7:10, which was quick (it had to be as the show was at 7:30) but we didn't feel rushed, the service was very well paced.

We went to celebrate a birthday, and having enjoyed Terroirs on many occasions decided to try one of its sister establishments.The wine list was extensive, as would be expected and the wine excellent.I was however disappointed with the food, which was too salty and fatty for my tastes. That said, the presentation was good and my other half enjoyed his meal.

I had lunch with a business colleague who is also a friend and it was excellent. Good, friendly without being too effusive service. Good reasonably priced (for a London restaurant} wine and superb food. Really good rillettes (albeit a Savoie dish not a Touraine one), perfectly cooked venison in a Chinon (definitely Touraine, or at least a bid further up the Loire valley, wine) sauce and a delightful apple tarte. All delivered quickly but with no pressure to finish anything. A perfect business/friend lunch.

Having been recommended to visit and seen glowing reviews on TA we were really looking forward to our first visit but, my goodness, we were really disappointed.At best this could be described as an up market Bistro, pretty expensive if you don't fancy the "set menu" and the food is ok but really nothing out of the ordinary. The wines from their huge "wine book" are stratospherically expensive and best avoided. Service is pleasant but elaid back to the point that we had to keep grabbing their attention for anything to happen. The space is tiny and the tables are cramped but there is a decent "buzz".We were extremely disappointed not least our expectations were perhaps too high and we certainly would not go back. There are dozens of really good and much better value restaurants in this area of Covent Garden area........you have been warned!

Easy to miss, which would be a pity.I had lunch here with my daughters and we were all impressed with the assured cooking.The wine list is very extensive but somewhat quirky and certainly not cheap. I chose a Sauvignon Blanc that was so far from the middle of the road it had crashed into the ditch! The staff were not at all surprised that the wine was not what I was expecting and offered me a bottle of something more mainstream that also happened to be cheaper. After a short negotiation to have the cost of somebody else's coffees taken off my bill I went away well satisfied.

Ce restaurant,spécialisé dans les produits de la Loire est sympathique. La nourriture y est excellente et plein de saveurs. Les vins sont de bonne qualité.Bref une adresse à recommander à tous ceux qui sont nostalgiques de la vraie cuisine de terroir.

I organised a pre wedding dinner at the Green Man & French Horn for last Friday 5th Dec. I called the restaurant twice to advise the manager and the person booking that I would like to have the Set Menu placed at our table, as I was treating the bride & groom to be, and would have to manage the budget as the bill would probably get quite high due to the drinks we would be ordering for this celebration. A couple hours before I called again to remind the restaurant of the Set Menu request and to ensure that the A La Carte was not put on our table, and the woman confirmed this would not be a problem. I also advised that 2 people are Gluten Free, she said that was not a problem and gluten free bread would be provided. When we got to the restaurant, I notice the A La Carte Menu was on the table, and i went up to speak to the manager who I had spoken to on the phone, he said there was nothing he could do, and I told him how awkward of a position this has now caused me. He showed no sign of apology and wasn't bothered. Completely Appalling! I explained to him that I spoke to him twice and the woman on the phone also, and this would be dealt with, he showed no remorse. Terrible!!! Also the gluten free bread that came to our table was half a piece of a small bun for 2 to share for the pate versus a full bun. They were miniature, and we had to ask for a full bun per person twice. Terrible service overall! Especially the manager who didn't care for customer service - no regard for their customer.

After an enjoyable first visit a couple of month's ago, we invited two of our friends along for a second visit on Friday night with high expectations.The service was ok but it felt like end of service fatigue was setting in amongst the waiters (our table was booked for 21:30 which was the earliest option on opentable). There was a lot of general clearing up activity going in the restaurant on. Most annoying was the clean cutlery being sorted in the cutlery drawer right next to our table (bang bang bang). The waiter asked if we are ready to order twice within 5 minutes of us sitting down. I'm guessing he was in a hurry and wanted to get us out very early.There was nothing special about my fresh cheese, black pepper and onion starter. Too much onion in my opinion and we had to ask the waiter for more bread. The pork belly main was really disappointing with so much fat on the pork belly which meant it I could only really eat the wild mushroom and beans in a broth. Our two guests also looked slightly intrigued why we recommended this restaurant as a must for the evening. I guess the central location helps. I hope this was a one off bad experience. I have pre-booked to take my mother back later this month but I will probably change my reservation to somewhere else.

Excellent bonne ambiance, très goûteux style brasserie française. Le porc, parfait. Les légumes, excellents.

I regularly have the evening special here, the pre theatre, always different. good value on wine and pleasant staff.

Quite simply a little gem in an area of town that lacks great value food.We sat at the bar, ate radishes, drank solid house wine and whiled away 3 hours. The atmosphere is buzzy and relaxed, the staff charming. I couldn't really ask for any more!

We went for lunch with friends who had just been to the National Gallery.The restaurant is nearby in St Martin's Lane and we were welcomed warmly. The restaurant is a genuine French bistro and the food is very good and authentically French. The ambiance is pleasant and we had a steady supply of bread. Staff were excellent. Two of us had the fixed price menu and two ate off the main menu.For starters we had a range including a fine soup, rillettes and snails. For the mains we had partridge, with lentils, pork belly and cod. All were delicious and extremely well cooked.We ended with coffee and the total bill with several glasses of wine was £100. We will cwertainly go there again

My son and I had an excellent pre-opera dinner which was wonderful value and really good cooking. Restaurant is rather small and cramped but the food is good and service is good as well.

Ate here in the early evening on our recent trip to London. Excellent value, 3 course £16.50. Very limited menu though for the theatre deal, so check out the menu before you book. The cod with mussels was lovely, as was the soup for starter and the white chocolate mousse with coffee and almonds. Lovely looking restaurant and very friendly staff. The house wine was great, white and red - £11 for half a carafe. Would recommend and eat here again.

I have such regard for restaurants who value the provenance of produce and take great care in preparation and cooking. This is a little gem tucked away on St Martins Lane. The food is delightful and the wine list is refreshingly modern. Don't hesitate!

My wife and I were seeing Shakespeare in Love and it was right across the street from the restaurant and Michelin had already recommended it so it all worked out very well. It's a small place with a limited menu but we eat anything and enjoyed everything very much. Steph had radishes as a starter. She said they were crisp and fresh and tasty. I had a fine sweet corn and onion soup that was excellent. Steph had Red Mullet in a saffron sauce with potatoes and I had a cute little partridge with lentils and chestnuts. A delicious puffed cheese, strawberry and pistachios dessert entitle a Cremet Nantais completed the dinner. We had three glasses of wine between us and they were well chosen by our server. It was most reasonably priced at £83.

I booked this restaurant for 8 for pre-theatre and it was just delicious with a great atmosphere and decor showing authentic exposed bricks and pipes! Although the set menu is quite limited to two choices for starter and main, the pumpkin soup was sublime and cod and mussels very good indeed with a lovely sauce. A few in our group had the ham which was a bit disappointing because it looked like a few slices of crispy bacon but it was on a tasty bean cassoulet. The service was just excellent, really friendly too, and also I was so impressed with how they bring you lots of fresh filtered water for free, carbonated and fresh, which was lovely and cold, a rarity in restaurants nowadays most of which push the expensive bottled kind! We didn't have time for dessert but I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting a good value theatre dinner. The al a carte menu looked good too and I'll definitely come back.

We enjoyed a lovely meal at this restaurant. The staff are very helpful and friendly and they have an interesting menu. Unfortunately they print the set menu prices on the main menu but those prices only apply to the very limited set menu which is provided separately. We didnt realise and the night ended up about twice as expensive than we had anticipated. apart from that, a lovely dinner.

Went to this restaurant for lunch today. A sweet little restaurant that is very easy to miss. However, it would be a shame if you did, because this is a perfect little spot for lunch (and I daresay dinner). We had the set lunch menu which was excellent value. The pumpkin soup was delicious as was the venison. For dessert there was a most delicious white chocolate mousse with a thin layer of espresso and topped with flaked almonds. The service was attentive and the ambiance was cosy and not noisy (which is a rarity these days). Highly recommended.

... and in parts excellent - the great service and atmosphere can astound also; thank you to our server, Majorie for your charm, care and attention. The prix fixe menu is a bounteous bargain - high quality, interesting dishes prepared and presented well, generous servings and even always an option for a non meat eater like me. The pumpkin, chestnut and sage soup is superb - a perfect winter dish and one packed full of flavour and goodness. The bread’s not stinted on, the fish served properly moist and the wine rather good too. No wonder Green Man & French Horn buzzes with a vibe of urban delight.

You could easily walk past this place without noticing it! Yet the windows are very pretty and beautifully renovated which adds to the charm!Once inside, seating is a little on the tight side - especially if you are dining 'a deux'. But our waiter was charming and attentive and brought good humour to his translations of the menu. Food is wholesome French cooking with lots of offal and game. I'm not sure if this is a seasonal thing? Several of my chums avoided this by having Cod and said it was the best they'd tasted! I loved my Rillettes to start and Pork Belly with beans for the main was equally delicious, although I'd wished it wasn't served in a bowl because I'm a picky Pork eater and like to cut away the fat!!Best table in the house is the Banquette at the back - wished we'd known about this and booked it.... Pre-theatre dining was absolutely ideal and I'd like to come back for lunch at another time and see how it compares!

A great selection of wines from small wineries in the Loire region and food that is distinctively regional and very authentic. The service was outstanding.

As a regular visitor to England where the exchange rate on the Aussie makes even a donut expensive, it's much better to surf around menus in beetroot end places like The Green Man and The French Horn. For a recent lunch I had a classic French dish - a plate of incredibly fresh pink and white radishes, delicious butter and bread, followed by a superb and delectable plate of clams in a very delicate broth, and topped it with a airy dessert, Cremet Nantais. It wasn't cheap but so close to perfect I was a very happily man. Too bad the British government is making it more expensive on everyone to eat out well by increasing the VAT.

This is a cheerful little restaurant in St Martins Lane close to theatres. It is French in style but did not feel very French . We had the pre theatre menu. I would strongly advise the restaurant either not to offer it or make it more satisfying. The carafe wine was really awful for a restaurant that is supposed to specialise in French wine. My wife had a totally tasteless piece of watery fish and my parmentiere was no more than poor shepherds pie under another name.

Presumably the name of Green Man & French Horn pertains to a pub in a former time but we now have a modern stripped back bistro. The ambience is not really french but the staff and the cooking most definately are. We had an excellent light lunch off the offer of the day which consisted of a homemade pumpkin soup and pan fried cod in a light sauce. Excellent value for £14 per head especially in central London. A decent glass of very fresh crisp dry white thrown in for £4.00. We intend to return to eat off the full menu in the future.There is a sister restaurant called Terroir around the corner on William IV St so if this is full you can head there.

I booked this for my mother's 70th Birthday pre theatre meal. Very quick, polite and efficient service. Good, interesting food. Wine was a little disappointing. The Rose champagne was more like a sparkling cider and the red ordered afterwards tasted very similar. Limited by the glass selection. Also on the expensive side, considering we had 3 glasses of alcohol and three courses each the bill was £105 including service. I would be very happy to return and order off the fixed price pre-threatre menu.

We had a crappy Muscadet at Michelin starred Joel Robuchon, so came by The GM & FH afterwards for a bottle of their deliciously flinty/minerally Pepiere at half the JR price, which recovered the evening.As it happens, I also had lunch there the same day, snails followed by cod. Exquisite, and fantastic value.Have vowed not to eat anywhere else in London from now on.

Service is splendid. They are there to help you and make your experience memorable. A fantastic option of wines- selected by the owner from different organic, natural and "garage" makers in France. You are bound to find a great wine. The food is mostly a French interpretation of the English table. Somethings turn out quite interesting. Others, are hard to face, unless you are a local or like some of the English "classics".

We ordered from the pre-theatre menu, which appeared to be good value for money. We both ordered the venison as a main, which was very nice and good value. However, we also ordered the carafe of red wine, which tasted like watered-down fruit juice and was a complete and utter rip off. My mum also ordered the cheese dish from the dessert menu, which consisted of ONE solitary piece of cheese. And it was a *slither* of cheese too. Service was fine, but it ended up costing £50 for one nice but very small main dish, and sub-par everything else.

I have just had a most wonderful lunch off of the fixed price menu; pan fried cod on a bed of leeks with a very light mussel sauce, along with poached mussels! Wow, it was cooked to perfection, the flavours were amazing and I used the beautiful bread to wipe up every morsel of sauce. The house white wine at £4 per glass is an amazing bargain. Chef Nico, congratulations to you and your team; it was a lunch to remember for a long time.

What a great restaurant! You know you are up for something good if you see a menu and you literally could have anything on it. Well, not if you are a vegetarian since this is seriously French menu. I went there with my friends and decided to share few starters, mains and deserts in order to try as many dishes as possible. I have to say, every meal was simply delicious, with great quality ingrediences, beautifully cooked. Oysters were fresh and gorgeous, lemon sole was so wonderfully cooked I wanted to cry and crepes with salted butter caramel sent me right to the heaven. There was lots of interesting wines to choose from. They were rather unusual and quirky. And finally, service was excellent. Ensure you make a reservation since it's busy. Atmosphere is nice and relaxed but buzzing at the same time.

Had been to the sister restaurant 'Terroir' and came here partly on the back of a good experience there plus a glowing recommendation from a fan. I was with a visiting American relative and we were both impressed with this part wine bar, part restaurant. The impressive wine list focuses on the Loire, the food is essentially French in style and conception with an emphasis on small plates, terrines and charcuterie. I had baked sardines, a salad and a glass of wine; all were of a quality that explained why the place consistently earns good reviews.It's a small, easy to miss, place in St Martin's Lane. Although it appears slightly cramped we were happy enough with our privacy, service was efficient and amiable. For a light lunch or early evening meal it is ideal.

My partner & I definitely won’t be leaving it as long between visits to the Green Man & French Horn again; it’s just such an enjoyable place for a post work treat. The high quality theatre menu makes it an affordable one too.Marvellous food served by friendly, helpful & cheerful staff in a buzzing dynamic atmosphere. Good “house” wine - the Gamay working perfectly with the light bistro fare, whilst the serving sizes of food more than adequate. Then again I'd eat a bucketful’s worth of the leeks vinaigrette with egg mimosa daily as it is exceptionally good. A delicious burst of flavour, & cunning textual mix too. The sardines with garlic crumb was rather splendid too. Fabulous - thank you to all involved.I urge you to go, in fact writing this review reminds me that I should really repeat the experience so once posted I’m making another booking right now!

A friend recommended here for a late lunch (about 3pm) and from the outside it looked like it was closed but when we asked if they were open we were welcomed in. The menu at that time of the day was very limited with a small set menu available or a selection of starters.We had the rabbit terrine (which was a decent size portion) and the broad beans, mushrooms and fried eggs which was a daily special (and flawless as a lunch dish) along with a bottle of wine from an extensive wine list.Service was slow - I don't think there is much mid week lunch trade there - but it meant a relaxing and enjoyable couple of hours.In total for both dishes and the wine it was about £45 - most of that being on the bottle of the wine - which felt like very good value

Excellent well cooked french food. I had a boiled duck egg and anchovy toast to start which may sound a bit lame but was perfectly cooked and surprisingly tasty. We both had sardines topped with a crumb bake for main course which we both agreed was spot on. We boringly plumped for the house red which was okay but should have been more adventurous as the wine list is extensive to say the least. Service was friendly and efficient. A great find in what is probably a very expensive area to eat. A perfect pre theatre venue.

super endroit, belle embiance et repas copieux un peu beaucoup mais très bon. le service génial. Le fait qu'on paie notre repas et consommation a l'avance nous libère d'attendre après le facture un fois terminé, on a juste a quitter.

Had pre-theatre lunch here and enjoyed it. Nice atmosphere, tasty food and good location. Would go again.

This is a friendly little bistro, well situated for the theatre crowd. Not expensive by the standards of London W1, with a very well priced 'Theatre Menu'. There are some really original dishes with fresh, well chosen ingredients and a good house white wine from the Loire valley. In fact on my last visit to France (in June this year) I didn't eat as well!

The short menu is studded with tasty treats. The wines are well chosen. My wife's yellow bean, curd, and walnut starter was elegant and tasty. My rabbit and pistachio terrine deeply flavoured and meaty.Her cod with brandade substantial yet light. My squid and black pudding proved to be a delightful pairing of unctuous blood sausage and tender yielding squid.Service was correct yet friendly.Recommended.

We were looking for an early evening meal and spotted the Green Man and French Horn, in St Martin's Lane, so called in without booking and discovered a pleasant restaurant serving food from the Loire River region of France. My partner chose the mussels and I had the lamb neck. The food was served swiftly, and was extremely tasty and was accompanied by a bottle of juicy young Hurluberlu. The service was very friendly, efficient and polite. A very enjoyable experience.

Green Man doesn't make any concessions: the food is relentlessly French, without any of the dishes you might expect to see a a more typical "French" restaurant. So no coq au vin, then.The restaurant is so discreet you might miss it as you walk down St Martin's Lane, but there were already plenty of people enjoying a post-work drink or a pre-theatre bite.What you get is a menu that might have been lifted from a moderately prosperous country inn with some inspirational additions, properly selected wines and relaxed service.The pre-theatre menu is terrific value - £16.50 for three courses, but you'll need to get your order in before 7pm on the dot! Sweetcorn soup with spring onion and crispy bacon was astoundingly good; fresh tomatoes with onions, marjoram and borlotti beans were bursting with flavour; while the rillettes with cornichons is a classic, done very well. My partner enjoyed the mussels with fennel and muscadet.Very much recommended.

The food is basic but very well-educated French plates you would get in the north-west of the country. The wine list focuses on the Loire but there's a couple of bottles form elsewhere, even including an English rose when we went.Try the pre-theatre menu for amazing value, albeit with limited choice.

I was introduced to this restaurant by an old friend who had been take there by his publisher.Super food, very friendly staff, reasonably priced. The ambiance is comfortable rather than opulent. My rillette and cornichons might have come straight from Touraine, and the Andoulette had a wonderfully intense sauce. My friend's main was belly of pork which looked perfect.The staff admired the polish on our plates when they removed them: we had both mopped up the very last morsels.We had no room left for cheese or pudding; I will make sure I'm hungrier next time.

Found this gem whilst searching for somewhere for a bite to eat before the theatre. We hadn't booked but they were so accommodating. An immense wine list, all from the Loire. We chose the reasonably priced and very good house white in a 0.5l carafe. Although a pre-theatre menu was available we chose off the main card, which changes daily, and was very satisfied with our snails and rabbit terrine for starters. Both of us opted for the black pudding and squid for our mains which was sublime. Very French in that the starters were as plentiful as the mains.The service was prompt, at our request, and spot on friendly and attentive but not intrusive.Will definitely return to this lovely informal but stylish eatery but will allow more time to enjoy the ambience.

We've eaten at Green Man and French Horn twice 15 months apart. They were both exceptional. I'll report on our meal that we had a week ago. The price is reasonable and dishes unique. The fried mussels were very lightly coated and were delicious. We were not sure what to expect with the rillettes & cornichons; we thoroughly enjoyed. And so it went with one unique dish after another. We were there with our adult daughter; the menu might be too sophisticated for some children.

The atmosphere was quiet and pleasant and the service was good but the pre-theatre menu is startlingly narrow. Only two starters - pea soup or rillette and cornichons and two mains - fried eggs or sardines. I saw this on an earlier review and thought it must be wrong. Unfortunately, it was not. The pea soup was lovely but both orders of sardines were presented raw in the middle (not underdone - raw) and had to be sent back which meant we were then very rushed since we had a theatre booking. Ginve the limited choise, the food took a long time coming in the first place, espeically since it was very early evening and there were plenty of empty tables. One wonders how long it would take with a full house. Were pleased that we were asked to try a sample of our initial wine choice to check we liked it since it wasn't a typical example of the grape variety - we didn't so a costly mistake was avoided! Would probably go back for a glass of wine but would avoid the pre-theatre dinner.

The meal was ok but no more. We had fish but it was swimming in oil and whilst it tasted lovely, it could have done with a lot less oil to draw the flavour even more. The side salad was excellent. There is a good atmosphere in the restaurant and is pretty busy. I was a bit annoyed that a promise made on booking to give me a table in the corner away from the bar was given. On arrival, such a table was not available but there was no mention of the request on the booking either. Such things really bug me. Bt it is an ok place. I would go there again for the atmosphere and the ok food. But there is better and less expensive.

Although it is billed as a French restaurant, the chef is Italian - and does a wonderful job! We began with a variety of appetizers that we all shared and tested one another's plates. The crispy courgettes were my favourite followed closely by the asparagus. The main courses were unusual and creative. I had octopus for the first time and it was a real treat. Far better than the usual squid served almost everywhere. The service was casual and friendly without being overbearing. The service staff had a spectacular knowledge of the various wines (that we tried in great quantity) and made good suggestions about pairing the right wine with the food.

Small, narrow converted pub restaurant. Pleasant enough for a pre theatre meal as it is situated in a very convenient location for many theatres. Service was friendly and efficient and there were no long waits between courses. As we were theatre bound this was just what we wanted. The prices were reasonable and the food very acceptable. We would consider using again if on a theatre visit but not as a destination if the focus of the evening was on the meal.

You won't go wrong heading for this piece of France in the West End. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we tried from the Rillettes to the Girolles. What are they you ask- rillettes are a wonderful pork spread to slather on french bread and the Girolles was a terrific mushroom/ pasta dish. Others in our party raved about the veal tongue tonnato and a fabulous generous slice of terrine. Go with an open mind and leave with a full tummy!

This place has a wonderful ambience .... long, thin & bricky..... with lots of French speaking waiting staff. What particularly struck me - even on a second visit - is how fresh & good quality the ingredients continue to be. I started with a very good goats curd salad with asparagus & bitter leaves & herbs. Delicious. Similar to something I'd eaten on the South Bank, at the Tate the day before - only far better - fresher & more substantial. Roundly followed up by very thick lamb chops, whipped mash & chard. Delicious - but next time I'll try to remember how red the French serve them. Interestingly, they even serve an English wine here.....

Pre-theatre supper - worth getting there before six as this is a popular choice, or if you want to read the extensive wine list. The set menu at 2 courses for £14.50 or three for £16ish was short and quirky, (choice of fabulous sardines or fancy fried eggs for main course, anyone?) but we happily mixed and matched from a la carte. Rillettes and cornichons came in a massive portion: I never thought I could be given too many gherkins. The pork was authentically drenched in fat, more pounded than shredded; very rich. Some of the ingredients were outstanding, particularly dairy and veg,. The fromage blanc with asparagus and the fromage blanc with gariguette strawberries were both really delicious - and different. Almost the best thing was the crunchily salty and creamy butter. Oily, buttery, (wild) garlicky, very French, down to the (excellent) free bread and free sparkling water, I loved this place when it was a pub and will save up to come again often now it's a restaurant. Not that it's that expensive considering the care taken over the ingredients. The room is long and narrow and the furniture bistro/eclectic but we didn't feel cramped, and the staff team were engaging and efficient. Slight ruffle over getting the bill as all the pre-theatre crowd wanted to leave at once, but that's no-one's fault; there were plenty of staff. We didn't drink wine as we wanted to stay awake for the play (in hindsight, this was the wrong decision) but it would be worth returning with someone who knows their Loire wines, and perhaps just for a plate or two. Often.

Genuine french food - rillettes, with really fresh ingredients. Generous portion sizes - 3 starters did for a good meal for 2. Free water - still or sparkling, reasonable wines by the .5L carafe. Not cheap but this is the heart of the West End.

lovely bistro style restaurant - we went at lunchtime - did not have to book plenty of space - but enough tables full to give a bit of atmosphere had set menu - excellent valueMy husband went a la carteI can highly recommend his pudding - Cremet Nantais Pea Soup also excellent and my fried eggs , mushrooms and broad beans , unusual but deliciousAll the options are authentically french Water and bread is free which is a pleasant surpriseI will recommend to friends and will return next time I am in central london

A surprising location, in the heart of Theatreland, to find this interesting place. The food is generally very tasty, but its a bit over-priced, tables are somewhat packed in & the service wasn't the jolliest when we visited. The food is though very good; with very many tasty combinations, with few frills - eg the cheese course is just that, a slab of cheese & a basket of bread, delicious cheese though. We enjoyed both starters - good rich rillettes and a delicious pasta dish with girolles, walnuts, peas & rocket. The main course cod dish was ok, cooked beautifully but it wasn't terribly exciting & I regretted not being bolder with my choice. Better was the pork caillette - very porky! The wine choice is excellent and the waiter chose for us well. There's a well-priced pre-theatre menu too, but we weren't lured by it as the options didn't sound too interesting. I've eaten here on a much quieter lunchtime too and it was a bit more polished so it may be its a bit stretched by a packed summer Friday evening. On elf those places where its easy to spend slightly more than you expect and while the food is generally very good the whole experience felt a bit over-priced.

We booked a table for 7 for a pre theatre dinner. 2 of our party had very specific dietary requirements but the waitress/restaurant were extremely helpful and recommended and modified dishes to suit. Very good value, excellent food served in a lively restaurant extremely convenient for the theatre. Have now been there twice and wouldn't hesitate to go again. All of our party enjoyed their food - from vibrant green pea soup, chicken galantine, mushrooms to start through to lamb, black pudding, squid and cod for main course. No desserts as tight on time but we did manage to have some coffee :-)

We were looking for a quick pre-theatre meal and were very pleasantly surprised. Very good value, where else in London does asking for tap water get you free sparkling water as an option. The set menu was lovely: pea soup with ham and then a goat meat ball with mash and lovely bread and salty butter. A great place surrounded by disappointing rip off merchants, and really friendly welcoming service

Three of us ate here last night and we had a fantastic meal. We paid £130 in total for two bottles of wine, starters, mains, coffees PLUS service. To put this in context, I paid £170 for two people at the Little Social, and the food at the Green Man in my opinion was better. I have seen some reviews saying this place is expensive, but it's not! I work in Covent Garden and you won't find better quality, seasonal, proper French food, for this price, in Central London. Compared to other bad branded restaurants like Cote, this place is cheap and much better quality. The wine list is extensive but it is all good quality, we had a fantastic bottle of white wine for £23.00. The staff are all very knowledgeable/helpful and I suggest asking if you are unsure on the wine or any of the food. Go here and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and fantastic food.

I say "unexpectedly" only because I always have some trepidation about restaurants which are situated in the heart of theatreland...with the Noel Coward theatre across the street and a Côte Brasserie two doors down, we easily could have been in for a mediocre, overpriced meal. In fact, we all left happy, full, and raring to go back!The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious; exposed brick, candles, wine bottles as decor...you get the idea. It'd be perfect for a first date. Our table shared the house white wine, which is not the Muscadet currently advertised on the website, but was nonetheless drinkable and light (not to mention reasonably priced at £18 a bottle). Their wine list is truly impressive, actually, if not a bit intimidating. Also, the service was perfect - attentive, but not obtrusive. Kept our wine glasses filled and checked after every course that we were happy...this is really all you need!When our starters arrived, conversation quickly halted and devolved into grunts of approval - a sure sign of a good meal. The duck egg with anchovy soldiers was delicious; I'll be back just to have that dish again. My husband's starter of snail and nettle was very garlicky in the best way with an unexpected crunch, and my mother's rillette was just as you'd have it in France. Needless to say, by the time we were done with the starters we knew we were on to something special. The warm sourdough bread and Normandy butter that accompanied them also deserves a shoutout, it was delicious.As for the mains - the hake with fresh pasta, broccoli and beans was possibly the best meal I've had all year. The hake was cooked to perfection, it was all seasoned beautifully, and the fresh pasta was al dente and divine. I absolutely loved that dish. My husband's goat with pureed potatoes was lovely, even if it didn't hold a candle to the hake (what could?). We had no room left for dessert, but I have no doubt we'll be back. £160 for five people with two courses each, a bottle of wine, and five coffees. Go (and seriously, have the hake)!

love this place. staff have always been delightful and helpful, if a little stretched, food interesting, the wine list is unusual but staff are happy to steer you through it. expensive? possibly, if you are comparing it to côte further down the road, possibly not if you're comparing it to seekey's round the corner. sister restaurant to terroirs on william iv street.

I booked this restaurant as it was listed as one of the best French Restaurants in London. When we arrived and confirmed the name which the reservation was under - we were abruptly told that the manager had attempted to phone me to confirm the booking and the telephone number provided was wrong. I have since looked at my confirmation of the booking and it doesn't detail whether I did accidentally put the wrong telephone number but even if had (which I'm not sure I did) there was no need to be so abrupt about it. The man informed me of this and then just stared which made me wonder if he would actually let us go to our table. Eventually he took us to the table.The starter was lovely and the main was ok - it was Turbot and quite expensive.We then decided to have cheese. A cheeseboard was bought over and we were told it would be £4 per bit of cheese we chose which seemed a bit steep. Following that the cheese we selected just came to the table with no accompanyments - we asked about this and we just offered more bread which we were charged extra for.The waiting staff were ok, but we were left with our empty plates for long periods of time.The worst part of it was the manager who was abrupt with us at the start pacing up and down the restaurant, scowling at his staff and not attending to customers once they were sat down. When we left at paying £57 quid a head with added service charge we left - I glanced back to look at the manager as we left and he again was just scowling and made no attempting to even mutter bye.I noticed that another table had sent food back and he gathered all the staff around looking decididly annoyed - interrogating them as to what had happened. This is the first review I have written on here - but I really do think the good reviews this place has had in the media are slightly misguided.

Like a small brasserie in the center of the West End, this is a very cute restaurant that you might otherwise pass by. They are however serving some excellent food, unique preparations and very professional service. And, being in the West End, service was prompt and we were out with plenty of time to spare for our theatre.

Just had my third visit to the Green Man and yet again I am bowled over by the place. Such a great find in the West End (thanks to The Guardian). The tomato and crab starter was fresh and tasty and the Hake was superbly cooked. My only grumble is that I find the wine list a little confusing as there is so much to it. However the staff are extremely helpful and I haven't been disappointed with their recommendations yet. Last night's bottle was a very light and slightly sparkling red. Perfect. Can't wait to go back.

Simple French inspired dishes. Tables are quite close but the buzz meant that you weren't disturbed. Great wine list.Located close the theatres.

We went to the Green Man based on a review we read in the New York Times before we left for London. It's in the West End (like Times Square) in a great location. It's small, stylish bistro with tables quite close together. Service was good. Server was knowledgeable and honest with our questions on the menu. Starters were very good. Muscles were excellent as were the raw oysters. The leek, crab, egg and Horseradish was good, not great and at $9.75 hardly a good value. Also, we had scallops, pork chop and sea bass. No wows except for muscles and oysters. We had tarts for dessert-again good, but nothing exceptional. WIne list is extensive. Overall a nice evening, but at $160 (Dollars) per couple-you can do better in London.

Nice cosy restaurant in a great location. The food wasn't bad, the dishes are very simple and tasty but you don't get any side dishes. The wine we ordered wasn't in which was disappointing. Service wasn't great, we poured our own wine all night and we didn't get any more bread despite the smaller table next to us getting offered some. The mussels were the highlight by far. The theatre menu looked good value but we were too late for that, so in our opinion our meal was a little overpriced.

Très bon restaurant a 2 pas du quartier animé de Leicester squareEntrée soupe de champignons décorée et tranches de Ste Maure, puis boudin noir avec calamars plat très original et délicieux. Le service est excellent et l endroit assez petit et cosy, très bonne adresse.

Simple, authentic tasty french food in cosy buzzing restaurant. Staff friendly and informative. Very extensive wine list, something for every palate and every budget. We had snails and a crab with leeks dish to start, both came quickly, simple but really tasty with nice bread and salty butter. Mains of lambs shortbreads and a red mullet, both with artichokes, both light and tasty. Portions smallish but was plenty for us. A nice Loire valley dry white also delicious.Nothing to complain about, great central location, would recommend and happily return.

Lunch with a friend following an exhibition at the national gallery nearby. Was very quiet on a Saturday lunch time. Service was relaxed and friendly. Very helpful with the extensive wine list. Starters were great and good value. Mains were a bit disappointing and felt over-priced : ~£18 for a slice of black pudding, four pieces of squid and some lambs lettuce for me; a (quite large) pork chop and two wedges of lettuce for my dining partner. Having said that the good was delicious and interesting. Worth a visit, but probably wouldn't return.

Smallish, bustling, friendly, welcoming. Great informal eatery with a strong French theme. Poped in on a Saturday pre-show. tried there pre show menu, main of rolled veal belly on casulet of beans for £10.00. Filling. House wine @ £4.00 a glass slipped down so well I need two to complete eating. Main menu looks interesting. As much bread and butter as you want.I understand part of a small chain which is doing well and rightly so. Recommended.

We had a lovely meal here. The staff is knowledgeable and the service is excellent. We had a late lunch as we were going to the theater and had a lovely main and shared an excellent dessert. We will recommend this restaurant to our friends and hope to get back to London soon to dine there again.

Incredible biodynamic wine list. Farm to table exquisite food, down to the fact that they make their own butter! Best snail dish I ever ate. Inventive and unique menu. Very knowledgeable waiters. Fun and funky atmosphere! Do not miss this restaurant if you are a foodie!

The stunning list of Loire wines includes a great selection of those rareties, old Muscadets - and very good they are too. The bare scrubbed tables and snacks at the bar resemble a gastropub - unpretentious, but the food is excellent - particularly fish. The service is informal, friendly and excellent.

As an avid follower of Nick Lander's reviews for the FT we had earmarked this restaurant for some-time and a louche Saturday lunch later it is now on our favourites list. Why? An authentic fun atmosphere with gallic bonhomie from the moment you enter- sorry from the moment you book easily and get one very pleasant phone confirmation call. Spot on service with a patron very much in charge of a very good crew. French with a twist with the emphasis on a very good wine list and the food of The Loire. They get it right in everything they do with simple but well prepared food and wines that are far from run of the mill, but fun and very good. Over-arching everything is the good value for money provided and judging by the laughter of people genuinely enjoying themselves coming from many tables and the bar stools at well gone 2pm a winning formula.

When you visit this website you are directed to a sumptuous menu which is linked to the value 2-3 course theatre menu. You may be seduced into thinking that this is the pre theatre menu - beware it's the actual menu. The pre theatre menu offers a choice of two items for each course - limited to say the least. We had the starter choice of rillette or cauliflower soup and for the main course an omelette with salad or a pork chop with beans - not exactly mouthwatering - although the soup was delicious. It just seems a little mean spirited to me.

If you are looking for authentic French food served by friendly and knowledgeable staff in a buzzy environment then this is for you. My wife and I have been here about 4 times, always after the theatre and have never had a disappointing dish. Good honest cooking with some interesting dishes and plenty of choice. Save room for the Cremet Nantais! Sensibly priced wines and plenty to chose from. Can not recommend this place highly enough for what it aims to be. Enjoy!

It's fantastic to find such a reasonably-priced, authentic French restaurant in central London, where being overcharged for second-rate food is all-too common. The food is simple, rustic and lets the delicious, fresh, seasonal ingredients speak for themselves. The wine list is long and interesting (the restaurant is owned by a wine-importing company) featuring wines from the Loire valley (all the way from Muscadet to the Ardeche) with plenty of choice to be found below £35-a-bottle, and some rare old examples for the connoisseur with more money to spend. We settled on a carafe of the delicious house rose, just £17.50 for 500ml. Lunch for two came to just under £70. Highly recommended.

We had an early pre-theatre dinner with friends here last night and can thoroughly recommend it. Good value prix fixe or more elaborate a la carte menus, with unusual, well-seasoned and genuinely French combinations and efficient, knowledgeable service. Good Loire wine from an extensive carte. The sweetbreads, pork and moreish white chocolate and coffee dessert are particularly delicious.

A Loire wine writer had recommended here and so I was delighted to call in for a quick drink and light snack before catching a train out of London on a Friday evening. I hadn't booked and therefore I was very fortunate to be shown a table for one in the window at 5.30pm. I was very quickly served with my order of a light snack and carafe of wine which I chose from the varied food menu and excellent wine list which featured many well known names along the Loire Valley. It was very popular and obviously an ideal location for the theatres etc. I will return again and hopefully have a longer time to experience the food and wine.

French-accented food based on classic combinations but with a light modern touch. Calm, efficient service which was appreciated as we ate late with a train to catch - but no pressure. The wine list is an encyclopedia of the Loire but well laid out - tempting not intimidating. Really enjoyed this.

Very interesting menu, nice staff. Food was great. Will definitely be back. Came in without a reservation on Valentine's Day but they worked me in. Very much appreciated!

Food did not dissapoint, neither did the wine menu. Everything we ordered was well-made with attention to detail, even the simpler dishes. Would definitely go back.

Go and try the set lunch menu, which is excellent value. And use some of the money you save by trying the great wine list.

We went on recommendation and was not disapplointed. A great french menu served by knowledgeable staff. A truly good experience

We have been meaning to come here for ages, as the review, when The Green Man and French Horn first opened was very good. We had been to their sister restaurant Terriors just around the corner, which is great. They specialise in wines and food from the Loire region in France, the wine list whilst not cheap was an oenophiles dream, I had an amazing red Gascon by Pascal Simonutti one of the best glasses I have ever had and yes a lot of wines are sold by the glass so you can have some fun trying different types. The menu is really unusual as it is regional French, fish, meat and offal. The food is very well cooked and very tasty. Oysters were large and very fresh, Snails were served in a different style to the norm, and were delicious for it, Veal Belly was succulent as was the Red Mullet, the Cheese selection was interesting too. All in all a great meal, with super service from everyone. This is a very well managed restaurant. Cost £120.00 for two for three courses each, with aperitifs and wine for two courses each and coffee.