I command you to make a visit here.
The French Bistro is open at the weekends, with the restaurant open on weekdays - they have different menus and I've had different opinions with the restaurant prices slightly more, but I went to the Bistro and have to say I would definitely come here again.
Tables get fully booked pretty quickly which tells you all you need to know really. Just off Farringdon Road in its own quirky courtyard, it is located in an unassuming place, which for me, makes me like it already. Greeted by authentic French employees, all friendly and attentive, this place just gets better.
Bleeding Heart has just started running set menus - 2 courses for £18 or 3 courses for £21. We shared starters of muscles, snails and salmon blinis. It was the first time I tried snails, and really, the texture is like a mushroom...but I don't like mushrooms, but I didn't mind the snails.
For the main, I had the Confit duck which was delicious, strangely, it wasn't the duck that stuck out - I really enjoyed the savoy cabbage mixed in with the sauce. They also serve rabbit that comes in a cute pastry shape, the steak burger is a pretty decent size with a healthy portion of 'frites', and the pumpkin risotto looked also very appealing - even to a non-vegetarian.
Pastry is made fresh on-site, with the tarts sold out by 8pm on Saturday. We decided to share the dessert amongst five, so came the last lemon tarte, the last raspberry tarte ('tarte du jour'), crème brûlée and profiteroles. All divine, but I would have to say the tarts are the ones you should pick.
Prices are justified for the food we received. It's not the most pocket-friendly for those who want to enjoy a quick dinner, it is definitely something to be enjoyed slowly for the whole evening to soak in every bit of its decor, food, wine and relaxed atmosphere - and for that, I would make a visit to the bistro again, so that I can try out the dishes I didn't have.
4 out 5 eggs.
http://www.bleedingheart.co.uk/
