Review: La Cigale in Parnell

La Cigale is best known for being the patron of Parnell's French Market, but the accompanying foodstore/dining area also offers dinner Wednesday to Friday: slow-cooked masterpieces served on long wooden tables at attractive prices. We tried it for the first time last week and the food was fantastic, although the service was a little patchy.

Essential supplies alert

Quick heads up that the tastiest condiment in the city can be found at La Cigale French Market, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays when they haven't run out. I first heard of harissa several years ago in Cuisine magazine, although my attempts to replicate their recipe by pounding Gregg's dried chillies into a mortar full of Delmaine Pure Olive Oil resulted in an inedible casting of red spicy grease.