L’Ami Malo, Shoreditch, London - Restaurant Review 

Cuisine: French crêperie
Style Points: 4/5
Location: Shoreditch
Price: ££
Overall: 4/5

The opening of L’Ami Malo in Shoreditch is turning the traditional crêpe on its head and elevating this humble dish into something altogether more elegant. From smoked salmon filled ‘maki’ rolls to confit duck galettes and soufflé crêpes, L’Ami Malo has brought a unique slice of Brittany to Spitalfields.

French owners, Emilien Lesourd and Vincent Couvreur, have taken inspiration from the coastal town of St Malo in Brittany and their childhood memories of visits to local crêperies. 
This also reflected in the restaurant design with soft lighting, and tableware from two of France’s oldest factories.
The result is a space that oozes French savoir faire – stylish and modern yet warm and welcoming.

Food?

Breton-born head chef Williams Guillemot, formerly of Clos Maggiore, has taken buckwheat, an ingredient favoured for its healthy, gluten-free properties, and used it to create a whole host of innovative dishes.

Starters include Buckwheat Goat’s Cheese Croquettes (roasted heritage beetroot, kasha seeds and honey & thyme dressing) and Bayonne Ham, Apple and Celeriac Remoulade. 

The L’Ami Malo ‘maki’ rolls are also a must-try; Smoked Salmon (capers, shallot, dill, keta caviar and crème fraîche) and Ham Hock (gherkin, watercress and piccalilli) are just some of the options available in these unique rolled galettes.

Moving on to mains, the larger, gluten-free galettes, there’s a Confit Duck Leg with braised red cabbage, caramelised pear and red wine jus; Morteau Sausage, leek fondue, new baby potatoes and grain mustard. 

Heartier dishes include Slow Cooked Ox Cheek in Red Wine, confit baby onion, buckwheat polenta and crispy kale and Cod Wrapped in Buckwheat, braised fennel, baby potatoes, glazed carrot and chorizo sauce also feature.
 
Of course the desserts at L’Ami Malo’s crêpes are delicious! Try the Four Apple Compote, vanilla butter sauce and salted caramel ice cream and Soufflé Lemon and Blueberries and Banana and Peanut with caramel sauce. 

Other desserts include Vanilla Cheesecake with baked Dutch rhubarb with a crispy crêpe, as well as Dark Chocolate Delice with buckwheat nougatine, griottine cherries and pistachio ice cream.

Tucked away at the back of the restaurant there is a super cosy speakeasy bar Le Moulin. Offering a unique combination of cocktails, French spirits and liqueurs, buckwheat beers, artisan cidre, and small producer wines, this intimate bar is an ideal spot for pre- and post-dinner drinks, date nights and catch-up cocktails or can be hired exclusively for events and parties.

Price:

L'Ami Malo is a well priced restaurant, especially considering the filling portions sizes. Additionally there are dining offer which can be used to make the price even more reasonable. 

Overall: 

L’ami Malo is a gorgeous little restaurant located down a characteristic side street in Shoreditch. The interiors in also conducive to a relaxed meal, making the restaurant a great spot for a cosy meal. For a modern taste of old Brittany L’Ami Malo is perfect.

Find out more about L’Ami Malo on their website
Address: 14 Artillery Passage, London E1 7LJ
Closest tube station: Liverpool Street

A special thanks to L'Ami Malo for their hospitality!