La Cage Imaginaire — Restaurant in London

La Cage Imaginaire is, in my opinion, a Could Have Been Brilliant place. It's small, charmingly done up, set in an excellent location and serves very good food. At 2 courses for £19.95 or 3 courses for £22.95 this makes the value quite good. They have, however, over cramped the space with too many tables. I've been here four times and done everything; banged my arm on the chair by the door, my hip on another chair and my legs many times on the table legs - and I am quite a slim person. There are 10 tables and 35 seats in a space that is about 4 by 9 meters, including the entryway - and only 3 of these tables are spaced enough for its occupants. The photo makes the place look large. It isn't and it's worse once half the tables are seated, and a nightmare when the place is packed.

Last night was my 4th visit as party of 4, sat at a round table near a very empty (larger) rectangular table. We ordered our starters, mains and wine within 10 minutes of being seated. The olives and butter arrived - no bread. We ate the olives and chatted. Our starters arrived - no bread. I asked for bread. It's being baked, said the blonde waitress. Moments later, the very empty (larger) rectangular table beside the kitchen entry was then occupied by 2 people, led there by this same blonde waitress who then popped into the kitchen and almost immediately came back out to supply them their olives, butter ...and their bread. I flagged down the second waitress, a brunette, and asked for bread. She looked surprised but did not return. We finished our starters and the first waitress I'd asked came back out with yet another basket of bread for the couple sat at the table for 3 (see photo). We chatted some more. The blonde waitress came for the now empty starter plates and I asked her again for our bread. She gave me an irritated look and said, "Yes, they are being ---yes." I pointedly turned and looked at the table next to us with the couple at a table for four. With. Their. Bread. She pursed her lips as she made off with our empty starter plates ...and also our bread plates and butter knives! At least she left the butter. The bread basket finally arrived but we had to use the table top and our fish knives. Our end bill came to £141 which for that amount, venue at half capacity with 2 waitresses, could have been a better experience.

The food was very good, make no mistake, but Le Cellier du Midi on Heath Street (3 mins walk from this place) is just as brilliant with a similar 2 or 3 course offer, better seating and faultless service. What a shame! My partner and I live 6 minutes away near East Heath Road and the other couple we were with just moved in a few doors down from this restaurant. But while the other couple may return, I most...

Well located, off the main traffic and in one of the nicest London neighborhoods, La Cage scores high in ambiance. It is about the right size with a few tables and seats indoors and 1 or 2 outside. When i visited, initially the menu puzzled me. The mains almost invariably were served with "potatoes, sauteed spinach and caramelised onions" and it seemed that the only difference was the choice meat: beef, lamb or rabbit. The choice of wines was also uninspired for a French-themed restaurant. Food however ended up being of decent quality (they apparently get to practice a lot on the potatoes and sautéed spinach!), and meats were well cooked. Nothing truly immense, but the overall impression was positive. The service though was no good. As she laid the table, our waitress, polite as she was, grabbed the wrong end of the knives and forks, holding them by the tines and cutting edges. Not very reassuring, particularly in our nervous Covid times. We were later asked a good couple of times if we were ready to order, within minutes of taking seats, while still looking at the menu (out of belief that i was looking at it for pure pleasure, or because they couldn't believe i was spending that long reading the words "potatoe and sautéed spinach" again and again?). The staff were sweet, but so clearly lacking proper training - both food and drink hung precariously over our heads until we responded to their plea to help. I was hit in the head by a straw in the process, nothing tragic, but given these dynamics, I seriously feared that they would casually pick it off the floor and toss it back into my drink (they didn't). As said, my food was fair and service shortcomings notwithstanding, I ended up having a good and somehow entertaining hour there. I used to be a regular customer and I am still fond of this place, but they need to work on customer experience and go back to previous...

Imagine visiting a fancy French spinster in the early 1900s: every effort has been made for your visit... The best china is out, crystal glasses twinkle in the candle light and fresh flowers from her garden adorn the table.

The old aunty welcomes you warmly and fusses around lovingly while you get settled. She brings out some of yesterday's baguette and butter to nourish you after your journey across Paris.

Once you've decided what to eat, she shuffles off to the kitchen and starts cooking. Out of sight it's mayhem, she overcooks the duck breast and dauphinoise potatoes. But, she's made of sterner stuff than to panic so aunty plates up the food so beautifully she hopes the mouth won't notice. It almost doesn't.

The fresh tagliatelle she has made comes out perfectly. Being French, she of course douses the pasta and prawns with garlic, butter and cream. Proudly the plate is presented and she beams when you polish it off.

The chat is lovely and she's interested in your life but then! Mon dieu! It's time for dessert...

The tartine was made with pears and figs from her local neighbour which she carefully incorporated into the pastry. You discreetly pull out all the delicious sticky fruity filling from its hard pastry casing.

After dinner, you sit and listen to the lovely music before heading home.

Would you regularly visit your spinster aunt? Probably not but her kindness and effort is always appreciated so maybe just best to pop in for a starter and coffee...