In the heart of Covent Garden, the French restaurant Mon Plaisir renews its identity and auctions off part of its famous interior furnishings.
Why the French restaurant Mon Plaisir is changing its look
On a busy street in Covent Garden, usually marked by a large tricolor flag, the bistro Mon Plaisir has been welcoming customers for over 80 years. It is known for its cuisine described as “excellent” and for a deliberately brusque service, which has almost become a trademark.
The establishment was founded in 1943, in the midst of World War II, by two French brothers. In 1973, the management passed to their maître d’hôtel, Alain Lhermitte, a key figure in the restaurant’s history.
Lhermitte expanded the brand by opening other locations in various areas of London, with the aim of offering a French dining experience considered very authentic at the time. Additionally, in the memory of many customers, the restaurant remained a reference point for French cuisine in the city.
Who was Alain Lhermitte and how he marked Mon Plaisir
In a 2007 interview, Alain Lhermitte described the place as “a real restaurant for real people – not for those who bluff,” thus summarizing his direct and no-frills philosophy. His imprint deeply influenced the character of the place.
Over the years, the subsequent openings were gradually closed, bringing the business back to the original Covent Garden location. However, in 2011, Lhermitte was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a circumstance that altered the internal management dynamics.
Lhermitte officially transferred the restaurant to his family in 2017. His passing in 2022 marked the end of an era for the community of regulars and for historic French dining in London.
Which historical items from Mon Plaisir will go up for auction
Today, Mon Plaisir is under new family ownership, intent on renewing part of the spaces. To make way for the new course, a selection of classic furnishings will be put up for public auction.
Among the lots are historic French-style interior decorations: advertising signs, art posters, wall clocks, and characteristic ornamental roosters. Additionally, the organizers emphasize how many pieces directly evoke the mid-20th-century bistro aesthetic.
The auction will be conducted online, managed by the house Catherine Southon’s Auctioneers and Valuers. The promoters believe that the prices are accessible, opening the possibility of purchase to collectors, design enthusiasts, and simple nostalgics of the place.
What experts say about the Mon Plaisir auction
Steven Stockton, from the auction house Catherine Southon, described the initiative as “a rare opportunity to acquire a slice of London’s gastronomic history within everyone’s reach.” According to him, the objects hold strong sentimental as well as decorative value.
Stockton recalled that, since 1943, the restaurant has been “the heart, and the stomach, of Covent Garden.” He also highlighted how many people share with him a personal memory linked to the place, a sign of its constant presence in the life of the neighborhood.
An example cited is that of a French couple living in London who frequented the restaurant because it reminded them of home: they appreciated the quality of the dishes, the style of the interiors, and, almost with amusement, the “so rude” waitresses. Overall, the reputation of this place remains strongly identity-defining for the French community and beyond.
What will remain intact after the restyling
Despite the renovation project, the new owners have chosen to keep the original dining room from 1943 unchanged, considered the historical heart of the place. This decision aims to maintain a tangible link with the restaurant’s origins.
The famous copper-topped counter will also remain in place, which according to tradition comes from a brothel in Lyon. However, this element is not expected to be included among the lots for sale, confirming its symbolic role.
This choice of balance between preservation and renewal reflects a broader trend in historic London dining, called to dialogue with the past without giving up an update of the image.
When the auction will take place and how to follow it
The timed auction dedicated to the furnishings of Mon Plaisir will begin on December 28 and conclude on January 11. The lots will be open for bids for the entire duration of the sale, allowing potential buyers to calmly plan their bids.
Detailed information on the cataloging of the pieces and participation methods will be available on the auction house’s digital platform. In this way, the initiative combines historical memory with contemporary sales tools.
Overall, the operation marks a passing of the baton for one of London’s oldest family-run French restaurants, now seeking a new season without completely severing its roots.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
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