Oldest French restaurant in London to auction off decor ahead of new look

"On a busy street in Covent Garden, usually adorned with a large tricolour flag, Mon Plaisir has served up great food and rude waitstaff for more than 80 years. The bistro was founded in 1943 during the Second World War by two brothers, before being sold to their maitre'd Alain Lhermitte in 1973. Mr Lhermitte expanded Mon Plaisir to new locations around London, giving customers an authentic French gourmet experience."

"This is a rare opportunity to acquire an affordable slice of London gastronomique history, Since 1943, Mon Plaisir has been at the heart, and stomach, of Covent Garden Everyone I speak to seems to have a Mon Plaisir story, all given with a deep fondness- one London-based French couple told me they loved it because it reminded them of home the food being great, the interior stylish and the waitresses oh so rude!"

"real restaurant for real people not for bullshitters."

Mon Plaisir opened in 1943 and has operated on a busy Covent Garden street for more than 80 years, known for great food and brusque service. Two brothers founded the bistro and sold it to maitre'd Alain Lhermitte in 1973, who expanded it across London and promoted an authentic French gourmet experience. Mr Lhermitte described the restaurant as a "real restaurant for real people not for bullshitters," was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011, and passed the business to his family in 2017 before his death in 2022. New family owners plan changes and will auction classic French interior decorations from December 28 to January 11 while leaving the original 1943 dining room and copper-topped bar intact.

Read at www.standard.co.uk