The Bistrot is the first of the Galvin brothers' London restaurants and with both of the following restaurants, Windows and La Chapelle, gaining a Michelin star, one is naturally led down the path of lower expectations for the Bistrot, being as it were, without a star of its own. But with these lower expectations going in but a full stomach and a satisfied appetite on leaving, I'm tempted to say that I enjoyed my meal at the Bistrot as much as any of my other meals at the other Galvin establishments.
On entering the restaurant, we were greeted in a friendly fashion and staff were nice throughout the evening. The place has a strong bistrot buzz to it and importantly, in one of the few nice weeks of summer we've had this year, the air conditioning did the job perfectly to make the inside an oasis in contrast to a hot and dusty Baker Street.
The menu offers a wide choice of dishes with a strong French influence. For our starters, it was Six escargots a la bourguignonne and Steak tartare. Both were excellent. The snails looked ravishing, even the shells were attractive, and the generous tartare was boldly seasoned giving a dish that really delivered on flavours.
For the mains, we enjoyed a Pot roast Landaise chicken supreme, fricassee of broad beans and girolles, together with Whole roasted plaice a la Meuniere, brown shrimps and samphire. Again, two generous portions of really great food. Pot roasting the chicken kept it beautifully moist. The plaice a la Meuniere offered a perfectly cooked fish with the samphire, prawns and croutons and brown butter sauce giving variety to every mouthful.
Only the dessert didn't work for me, my Valrhona chocolate delice seemed texturally gummy but not the good kind, not the gooey chocolate kind, just difficult to eat gummy. Despite the heritage of Valrhona chocolate, it seemed to lack chocolate intensity. The Apple Tatin though was greatly enjoyed.
On entering the restaurant, we were greeted in a friendly fashion and staff were nice throughout the evening. The place has a strong bistrot buzz to it and importantly, in one of the few nice weeks of summer we've had this year, the air conditioning did the job perfectly to make the inside an oasis in contrast to a hot and dusty Baker Street.
The menu offers a wide choice of dishes with a strong French influence. For our starters, it was Six escargots a la bourguignonne and Steak tartare. Both were excellent. The snails looked ravishing, even the shells were attractive, and the generous tartare was boldly seasoned giving a dish that really delivered on flavours.
For the mains, we enjoyed a Pot roast Landaise chicken supreme, fricassee of broad beans and girolles, together with Whole roasted plaice a la Meuniere, brown shrimps and samphire. Again, two generous portions of really great food. Pot roasting the chicken kept it beautifully moist. The plaice a la Meuniere offered a perfectly cooked fish with the samphire, prawns and croutons and brown butter sauce giving variety to every mouthful.
Only the dessert didn't work for me, my Valrhona chocolate delice seemed texturally gummy but not the good kind, not the gooey chocolate kind, just difficult to eat gummy. Despite the heritage of Valrhona chocolate, it seemed to lack chocolate intensity. The Apple Tatin though was greatly enjoyed.
escargots a la bourguignonne
Steak tartare
Pot roast Landaise chicken supreme, fricassee of broad beans and girolles
Whole roasted plaice a la Meuniere, brown shrimps and samphire
Apple Tatin
Valrhona chocolate delice
Overall, I really enjoyed this meal and think that Galvin Bistrot de Luxe is amongst the best of its kind out there. The menu offers a good variety of interesting sounding plates, and when the food arrives, it delivers on the promise. Galvin at Windows and Galvin La Chapelle might have the star, but don't think that that makes Bistrot de Luxe a poor relation, it's not, I'd certainly recommend it.
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