Here is the lesson of the day. If you want to lunch at a well -established restaurant, in this case one that’s been in the capital since 1998, make a reservation, even on a Monday during these tough financial times. We had a moment’s panic on arrival at Virginie Brouard’s la P’tite Folie in Frederick Street when we saw that the tables were nearly all occupied. However, the gods of the good lunch were smiling that day, and we were given the last table at the door. Despite its shoogly leg, we were glad to be seated.
The restaurant is the former front room of a Georgian town house (at least looks that way) with its high white ceiling and dark blue and red walls that are decorated with French cinema posters and images of Francoise Hardy, Romy Schneider and other French iconic images. It has plain dark wood table and chairs and an interesting mirror fireplace feature that add to the thoroughly pleasing atmosphere.
Amidst the clatter and chatter of this popular joint, we were served immediately with a carafe of water and the menu by the young French waitress. From a choice of five starters, J. chose the soup of the day which on Monday was tomato with beef and sherry vinegar. I opted for the smoked ham hock (hough) with asparagus, rocket and sauce Gribiche which is a cold egg sauce that I requested be served separately. The house wine is Picpoul de Pinet, a dry white from Languedoc in the South of France came with a basket of bread butter and a mixed, lightly dressed salad to share, a sure sign that you are in a real French place with bread being de rigeur and not an extra.
J.’s verdict was that it was substantial and spicy though I suspect the piquancy came from the vinegar. Either way, it was generous and hearty serving that was cleared. My ham salad had just the right amount of hough meat among the fresh and verdant asparagus and other greenery.
From the choice of five main dishes that includes a vegetarian choice and the fish of the day which on our visit was salmon in a white wine cream sauce. J. went for the latter. The portion of salmon was generous and nicely cooked. Sea Bass was my choice. This fish was quite small but perfectly cooked and came with a caper and parsley butter sauce that I requested to be on the side. Each dish came with mange tout green beans and (slightly over- boiled) tatties in skins.
There is also a choice of pudding or cheese ranging in price from £3 to £4.95 but the fondant chocolate served with my generous and pretty perfect espresso was enough of a sweet taste after such a satisfying and savoury lunch.
La P’tite Folie has just scraped into Edinburgh Guide’s £10 Challenge by having its 2 course set lunch at £10.50 but the extra 50p is more than justified by the quality of the food.