"This cosy restaurant away from the bustle of Tooting Broadway, is South London's biggest secret. I have lived in Balham and Tooting for decades and never heard of it. With tables arranged for two, three, or six people, a charming French waiter and a busy crew, visible beyond the bar in the kitchen, this looked like the real deal. We started with boquerones and liver parfait and went on to bavette, chips and gravy, as it was steak Tuesday. This came with a complimentary glass of red wine a decent brew from the South of France. Food, wine and service Service was personal, charismatic, and attentive, though the waiter did forget to substitute chips for mashed potato for my wife who ordered the brill. And the brill was brilliant. With a lemon, sage, and butter sauce this was one of the outstanding dishes of the night. My bavette was a thin and bashed cut, perfectly cooked to be pleasantly enjoyed unhindered by gristle. Topped with a pepper source and accompanied by demi glace based gravy, and thick double cooked chips, it really hit the spot. And for £16.50 including the glass of red wine, this represented good value. The wine list had some chunky prices on with most reds being £30 £40 which did not seem to fit in with the local clientele’s budget. I noticed no bottles being served the night we were there, as the 15 or so people in the place with there for value on a Tuesday, and not an expensive blowout. Atmosphere With green walls, a dense collection of gold framed paintings depicting vegetables, landscapes and French buildings, Rick’s Dining Room had a genuine warm feel, that could have matched dining experiences in a mid sized French town. Add a negroni, a beer and a tip and we paid £80. That is at the upper end for Tooting but in the lower zone compared with Central London. I would recommend that you come and try this place if you find yourself on the Northern Line, practise your French with the waiter, and chat the evening away with your dining companion(s), knowing that you'll be well looked after and that the food is the real deal."
