The Pleasures of Mon Plaisir

The Pleasures of Mon Plaisir

By Steven Stockton

A Michelin advertising enamel sign, £400-600

Long before Café Rouge offered a retro Parisian experience and Côte purveyed French cuisine to all corners of London, there was a restaurant, in the centre of the capital, that provided all of this, and more.

A Loterie Nationale poster 1939 by E. Derouet, £200-300

Mon Plaisir in Covent Garden- the oldest family run French bistro in town.

Founded in 1943 by Monsieur & the formidable Madame Viala, it was bought in 1973 by Alain Lhermitte, their intrepid maitre d’, who quickly grew it from one to four dining rooms. He then went on to expand to new locations, including Islington and Kensington, creating a catering empire and building a brand that became synonymous with a French gourmet experience, attracting new and loyal diners from near and afar.

'Place Général de Gaulle' vintage enamel street sign, £300-500

After decades of highs and lows, it went back to one venue, the original 19-21 Monmouth Street.

Tragically, in 2011, Alain was diagnosed with a rare form of Dementia (FTD), though he battled on never complaining, handing management over to his wife Aline in 2017. In 2022, after a brave eleven year fight and fifty years furnishing and cherishing this London institution, he died.

His lively hospitality, love of frogs, eccentric fashion style and immaculate handlebar moustache are greatly missed.

Six 1950's Ricard posters, £300-500

It is now under a new family ownership, who are making changes, though are leaving the original 1943 dining room unaltered and keeping the infamous copper-topped bar- reputed to have originated in a Lyon brothel.

Two ’Spectacles’ theatrical advertisements, £150-250

We are honoured, to be offering for auction, a selection of the classically French interior decorations from Mon Plaisir. Including advertising signage, art posters, sporting cartoons, clocks, curios and cockerels, this is an opportunity to acquire a piece of London culinary history, all with a distinctly Gallic flavour.

A ‘Japy’ Art Deco Bakelite alarm clock, £120-180

The timed auction begins on 28th December, closing on 11th January.