Maison Trois Garçons – review

‘Les Trois Garçons know a thing or two about food’

Les Trois Garçons know a thing or two about food.

Having kicked things off stylishly with their flagship restaurant in Shoreditch and followed that up with plush cocktail parlour Loungelover on Redchurch Street, they have now opened a cafe-cum-antiques shop just up the road.

You might remember its first incarnation as an emporium of contemporary and vintage treasures.

Today owners Michel Lasserre and Hassan Abdullah have transformed the premises into a bright Aladdin’s cave of a cafe where you can buy practically everything in sight, right down to the fork you’re eating with.

That goes for the huddle of brightly-coloured balloon lights stuck to the ceiling, the patterned gold tankards with orchids decorating each table and the giant pink neon heart hanging on the back wall.

In fact neon is one of their specialities, with pieces and installations made to order on request.

The tables themselves, with wrought iron frames and glazed Portuguese ceramic tops, are made to order too.

The cafe already has a loyal group of regulars holing up inside it for work and play.

It’s not hard to see why. Even if you are not much of a magpie for shiny things, the atmosphere is relaxed and the food is excellent.

A lot of it is gluten free but not that you would notice.

Cakes and pastries are conjured up in-house by resident pastry chef Grete and everything I tasted was divine.

There was a delicate little lemon slice with a gentle citron curd, a bright snowy curl of cream and tart little lime shavings that was utterly glorious.

Then there was a confection of hazelnut, gooey nutty goodness and a delicious granola-topped brownie.

For those without a sweet tooth there is a counter bursting with homemade seasonal foods and salads to eat in or take away, as well as hot meals that look excellent too – especially now that autumn has arrived so abruptly.

There are excellent coffees and a range of specially blended teas.

I tried a bright and fragrant cup of Earl Gray, with bergamot from Calabria and tea leaves from Darjeeling and Kerala.

Loungelover cordials with everything from kiwi and basil to strawberry and mint are also available.

This showcase of the Garçons’ 30 years of collecting boasts vintage handbags, jewellery, contemporary and antique pieces of furniture and lighting.

It’s well worth a peek.

45 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ

020 3370 7761