Situated in Royal William Yard, Bistrot Pierre already has the pull of a prime location. The interior is classically French; oversized mirrors adorn the walls, globe lighting and rustic wooden furniture offset with bursts of deep red and rich green tones. The interior set a great atmosphere, relaxed and sophisticated.
We were seated at a large table in the centre of the restaurant by an extremely tentative waitress named Lizday, who was our server for the rest of the evening- a great asset to the Bistrot Pierre team! The layout of the dining area is just the right amount of open plan- we had a great view of the bustling bar area on one end, and the sizzling of the kitchen on the other.
Choosing from the A la Carte menu, there is something for everyone. A bottle of house wine arrived at the table and our drink orders were taken whilst we scanned the menu for something that took our fancy. Mini Chorizo au Miel – mini chorizo roasted in honey, was our appetiser of choice.
Tom, our senior Graphic Designer wanted to try something he doesn’t usually have, so opted for the Fritôts de calamars (Lightly spiced, crispy fried squid with roasted garlic mayonnaise) as his starter. I am not a fan of seafood, but decided to try some for myself- and it was surprisingly delicious! I chose the Soup De Jour- which happened to be tomato and spiced red pepper. Served with rustic French bread and unsalted butter- it was the perfect combination.
The main menu has a great selection of choices; from classic burgers and steaks, to Duck leg confit and fresh fish dishes
Luckily, the OM team has a wide range of tastes so we were able to sample across the board! I went for the Poulet Chasseur, a new addition to the Bistrot Pierre menu. Tom opted for the 8oz rump steak, served medium rare. Myles our Director chose the Poulet Fermier De Normandie; half a slow roasted chicken served with roasted garlic and parsley butter; and Emily our Account Manager went for the classic Navarin d’agneau, Navarin of lamb with roasted root vegetables in a red wine jus.
We all loved the way the mains were served- with a selection of fresh seasonal vegetables and potatoes served to the side in small pans, enabling us to help ourselves and pass around the table. Lizday, our waitress went to every effort to ensure we had everything we needed.
Moving on to the desserts- this was where the struggle came in. The choice was just too good!
The chocolate brownie was rich and gooey- served with salted caramel ice cream to offset the sweetness. The sticky toffee pudding filled the table with the rich scent of hot homemade toffee sauce. Emily went for the classic crème Brulee; we captured the crunch of the burnt sugar layer perfectly! The newest edition to the dessert menu, the Café Gourmand is a selection of small desserts including a berry macaroon, chocolate brownie bite, a caramel profiterole and vanilla ice cream, all washed down with an espresso coffee.
All in all we had a great night at Bistrot Pierre, and I have already made plans to go back again. The atmosphere coupled with the delicious food makes Pierre a great location for all ages. Whether you are planning a birthday event, have young children, just popping in or fancy some nice food before a theatre performance, Bistrot Pierre has something for everyone.
Lunch: 1, 2 or 3 courses £9.95, £11.95 and £13.95
Prix fixe: early evening 2 course menu £14.95
Situated in Residence One, the grade I-listed Admirals House on The Green; Bistrot Pierre have collaborated with Urban Splash and architects Gillespie Yunnie to offer unique and high quality visitor accommodation.
For more information and to view the full range of menus on offer please visit bistrotpierre.co.uk