A taste of Paris in the heart of London
Two years ago, I was lamenting the dearth of new French-style establishments entering London’s dining scene. Fast forward to today, and it seems barely a month passes without another Gallic gem opening its doors to eager diners. Regular readers will recall my recent foray to Claude & Lucy Bosi’s Josephine’s Brasserie in Marylebone, and now I find myself drawn to yet another addition to my ever-expanding hit list: Marjorie’s Soho, a self-styled Parisian wine bar and restaurant that has quietly nestled itself into Foubert’s Place, just a stone’s throw from the bustling Carnaby Street.
Marjorie’s opened its doors this past May courtesy of hospitality duo Michael Searle and Josh Anderson, alongside head chef and business partner Giacomo Peretti. With Peretti’s impressive CV including stints at Le Gavroche, Temper, and Firebird, and an all-French wine list curated by Searle to complement the modern French cuisine, this trio are clearly serious about their ambitious goal of bringing “the missing slice of Paris to central London.” The restaurant is named after co-founder Michael’s late grandmother—a woman who clearly understood that life’s greatest pleasures revolve around exceptional food and wine.
The Setting: Parisian Charm in Soho
On a gloriously sunny afternoon, we made it to Marjorie’s; the bifold doors were thrown wide open, and fellow Francophiles already occupied the four pavement tables. We settled inside at the magnificent travertine communal table that dominates the ground floor, which doubles as the bar. Two additional smaller tables complete the upstairs seating, whilst downstairs houses the open kitchen with counter dining, booth seating, and a few round tables. The space is delightfully compact, which only adds to its authentic Parisian charm.
Wine Bar or Restaurant? Why Not Both?
The term “wine bar/restaurant” can often be misleading—establishments that are neither one thing nor the other. This is emphatically NOT the case with Marjorie’s. Whether your mood calls for a casual glass of wine or, in our case, a full-blown lunch, Marjorie’s delivers with equal aplomb. And frankly, writing about a single glass of wine, however exceptional, would hardly make interesting reading, so with you, the reader, in mind, I was here for lunch—the lengths I go to for you!
Speaking of wine, the carefully curated all-French wine list offers an excellent selection available by both bottle and glass, exactly as you’d expect from serious wine lovers.
The Food: Modern French Finesse
The menu is refreshingly concise yet intriguing, offering both small plates and larger dishes. Determined to experience the full range, we opted for three small plates to begin our Parisian journey.
Our first choice was the saucisson with cornichons—classic French dry-cured sausage served simply but perfectly. Next came the fried courgettes with rouille and trout roe, followed by grilled langoustine with crème fraîche and lavender. We also couldn’t resist ordering a hunk of their exceptional bread served with the creamiest butter I’ve encountered in months.
The saucisson represents French simplicity at its finest—paired with that gorgeous bread, it’s quintessentially French and would make the perfect light lunch with a glass of Bordeaux.
It was the courgette dish that truly showcased Giacomo’s skill. It takes genuine talent to elevate the humble courgette to such heights (this could have emerged from Rishim Sachdeva’s kitchen, and from me, that’s high praise indeed). The rouille and trout roe played supporting roles to perfection, though I must admit, at first glance, it did rather resemble an oversized caterpillar!
The langoustine proved another triumph. My initial concern about the lavender overwhelming such delicate seafood proved unfounded—the balance was absolutely spot-on, demonstrating the kitchen’s confident hand with bold flavours.
Mains: Technique Meets Simplicity
For our main courses, we selected two of the menu’s most popular offerings: bavette with egg yolk emulsion and poached chicken with rice and brown butter.
The bavette exemplified perfect French technique—the egg yolk emulsion provided the ideal rich, silky accompaniment to beautifully cooked steak. Meanwhile, the chicken and rice dish proved that brilliance often lies in simplicity. The rice, served al dente, added textural interest whilst a generous burst of lemon brightened the entire plate.
Sweet Finale
Dessert duty naturally fell to my resident pudding expert, my wife Leigh. Having already indulged considerably, we opted to share the mille-feuille with strawberry and almond praline. I described it on Instagram as a “leaning tower of desire”—and it wasn’t long before two eager spoons brought the tower crashing down in the most delicious demolition imaginable.
The Verdict
The clever thing about Marjorie’s is its versatility. Whether you’re after a quick drink, light snack, leisurely lunch, or intimate dinner, this establishment adapts seamlessly to your needs. It’s precisely this flexibility that explains why this particular “missing slice of Paris” has proven so popular with discerning Londoners.
In a city increasingly filled with French-inspired establishments, Marjorie’s manages to feel both authentic and fresh—no mean feat in today’s competitive dining landscape.
Details and Booking
Marjorie’s is located at 26 Foubert’s Place, Carnaby, London W1F 7PP. Open daily from 12 PM to 11 PM, reservations are recommended, especially for the coveted outdoor tables. Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @marjories.london for updates and bookings.
For a taste of Paris in the heart of London, Marjorie’s Soho is a must-visit.
Are you on the hunt for more culinary adventures? Explore our fantastic reviews of London’s top restaurants, pubs, and cafés right here!
