Chez Bruce

We went for my wife's birthday having visited approx 6 other times over the years, a combination of Sunday lunchs and Thursday/Friday nights. We have always enjoyed it.

We went on Thursday 29th September for dinner, which is priced at £45ph, my wife had turbot to start which was £5 supplement, I have actually forgotten what I had. The turbot was tricky to find on the plate as was so small. For the main I had the cote de boeuf and chips for one, which the maitre d' allowed, but was also a £5 supplement. It was okay. Goodman's reputation for the best steaks is not under threat. The desserts were fantastic. The Sommelier advised me away from the cheaper wine (which I guess is part of his job) to something which was ok. Not sure he is great.

Anyway the meal was nice, but came to £197, so £100 per head, which I thought was probably not worth it.

I think avoid in the evenings and go for the Sunday lunch, much better value and there is something quite decadent about walking out of a restaurant a little merry in broad daylight!!
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Richard Lewis
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Excellent food and service, lovely restaurant, will definitely be returning for another special ocassion!

I went to Chez Bruce on Sunday for lunch with my family and the meal was great. We started with champagne, and then had the set 3 courses for £35 for lunch, which was great value. The service was prompt and good and not intrusive.The scallop sashimi for the starter and the cheeseboard for dessert were without doubt the highlights.

Definitely a great restaurant and one to try if you are in the Wandsworth, Clapham, Balham area.
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Champers - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, September 15, 2011

I went here for lunch on Sunday and this was the second time I've had the pleasure of eating here. I booked this for my Dad's 'special' birthday, and asked for a nice table when booking. We had a great table and were shown to our table on arrival. We had ordered a bottle of champagne on arrival, which then promptly turned up and was expertly poured. Next we had some parmesan biscuits which were great. On the ordering we asked to see the Sommelier, who was very busy, so this did take a while before she came over. Also when the wine arrived it was not decanted and this did result in a large amount of sediment being poured into one glass near the end. When the starters arrived they were all perfect. I had the scallop sashimi with chilli lime and soy and was very well crafted and tasted great. The mains were also excellent. For dessert I had the cheeseboard, which is fascinating and has around 28 cheeses on it. The waitress who served the cheese was very knowledgable and very helpful. The service on the whole was good, but not really friendly at all, I would have expected more friendliness to the waiters as they seemed to be a bit surly! Still overall it was a great meal, and I'll be returning!
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Champers
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, September 14, 2011

I have been meaning to go to Chez Bruce for ages, but managed to get there for lunch this saturday. On entering, we were greeted by the maitre'd and seated in a small corner table. Menu and wine list were prodiced quickly as were bread and butter. Our waitress was efficient and polite and came round with the parmesan sables fairly quickly. The somelier was polite and not pushy, which was good, and we ended up ordering a half bottle of fleurie to go with the mains, as our starters arrived so quickly after our aperitifs and food order was taken, so no chance to order some white wine! Anway, the foie gras and chicken liver parfait was perfectly smooth and seasoned, with excellent brioche (my friend and I ordered this) and the mains of Cod with Olive oil Mash and the Lamb were both perfectly cooked and seasoned.

Desserts were very good as well, (summer berries and mascarpone, panna cotta)

All portions are substantial and well constructed, excellent service, atmosphere and location.I will definitely be going for dinner next time!
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Norman Fu
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, August 22, 2011

I went to Chez Bruce with my wife and we got a table on the off chance through a cancellation at 6.30pm.

I am suprised by some of the reviews as this is now the 2nd time I have been there in the last 3 months and have been very happy both times with the service, food and atmosphere. I think a michellin starred restaurant with 3 courses for £45 is excellent, I think the portion sizes are very generous compared to other michellin restaurants that I have been too.

I am allergic to hard cheese and when finding this out the waiter came back with the menu and had highlighted both times I have been with which dishes had cheese in and which ones could be changed to accomadate.

The food has been fantastic both times I have been and the wine list is extensive with some wines reasonably priced.

I found service to be great on both occasions, for 3 courses each and 2 bottles of wine our bill came to with service to just over £165 which I think is very reasonable. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that wants a michellin experience at very reasonable price.
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Wesley - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, August 14, 2011

I have been to Chez Bruce many times, over a number of years. I have found that that in recent years things have slipped, however when I went in November last year it went back to its zenith..... Superbly crafted food, a v friendly sommelier (shame Terry has gone used to enjoy our conversations)..... basically all the things I knew and loved about the place over the years but were slowly going away.

Fast forward to 1st April this year when it when to new lows. One word sloppy. The food was sloppy, the pork done three ways was over powering and lacked any finesse. The sommelier, didn’t turn up to our table after asking several times....hey I wanted a Corton and it to be roomed not 5 mins before drinking it, plus he had a charisma by pass not like the usual lady that I so enjoy taking about Pol Roger to. Service amateur....don’t argue with my wife when she asks for her coffee after desert then bring it during it then say she was wrong.

The above may sound petty, but its just a sign this place is resting on its laurels which is generally the impression I get from talking to my friends who live nearby the place like I do.

PLEASE BRUCE TIGHTEN UP.....go back to how you were.....Love your sister place though...the Glass House is lovely esp Susan the Sommelier.

NB on its day the place is fantastic value and the wine list is simply wonderful
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Peter Hunt
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Sunday, May 29, 2011

My evening, for a group of six, was ruined by the sloppy service from the waitresses in particular, who made us all feel we were all an inconvenience to them.

The sommelier was excellent and incredibly helpful as was the waiter that served the cheese.

For over £100 a head the service should be excellent, it wasn't.
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Jasper Thwaite
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Sunday, May 01, 2011

I treated my mother to an early day mothers day lunch as we walked up to Chez Bruce aving never eaten there before but well aware of the reputation. When we booked the lady made us aware we were sitting on the first floor and for me this was no problem. Downstairs is where the main action is, upstairs is more intimate but with an excellent view of the common, the windows were open, the day was hot and it was very relaxing. However if you do not like being too close to other diners there are three tables of two very close to each other so book downstairs.

When we were shown to our seat and if anyone from Chez Bruce reads this its the two seater in the corner upstairs, the table had a bad wobble. I asked to be moved to the only other table that was luckily free. Had there been none I probably would have walked out as this is just a basic. I mean honestly, come on.

The bread was served and accompanied by rock hard butter straight from the fridge, I asked the waitress is this normal policy and she replied that if they left it out it would become soft ( isn't that the point ? ). Whats the point of serving butter that you cannot spread - again, a basic thats easy to rectify. so by now I wasn't a happy chicken.

My first main course was a so so tagliatelle however my mothers chicken parfait and foie gras was superb and simply delicious, amazingly light texture. During the first course my mother was not happy with her glass as it had a smell to it so she mentioned this to the Maitre D and he said no problem it would be replaced. He simply forgot and the she had to ask the waitress some time later for a replacement.

I opted for the roast cod for main as other reviews has stated this was the best they had ever eaten and it was excellent, the olive mash was superb too.

I was looking forward to the cheese plate as one should at a well reknowned French restaurant but my heart sank when the waitress told me that this was downstairs and would take a long time to come upstairs. I appreciated her being honest so I cancelled the dessert but I don't go to places like this to suffer their problems, if they are aware of this they either need to have another trolley or figure a workaround, you don't offer something on your menu to then effectively not be offered it or to wait an unknown period of time because of your seating location.

A final noticeable moment was the shortcakes that were offered twice ( before and after dessert ) to the couple next to us and only once to us. You must treat all your guests equally without equivocation.

So all in all very disappointing, and I mean that from a service point of view, as one knows you can visit a restaurant and have a magnificent time but this is a combination of food, service and surroundings. If however the service fails it lets the other parts down - I do however have memories of some of the dishes which is also what commend a great restaurant and more importantly pulls you back.
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jamiechelsea - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, April 03, 2011

Stunning. Lovely atmosphere, impeccable service and faultless food (by which I mean the most beautiful meal I've EVER eaten), flattered further by remarkable value for money, considering the quality. I cannot recommend this place enough.
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Elizabeth Harris - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Everything about Chez Bruce is perfect.

You are welcomed with complimentary tastes - parmesan crackers to whet your appetite, a homemade bread selection still warm from the fresh bake and before dessert, homemade shortbread.

The food is presented beautifully and the tastes of a variety of food combinations compliment perfectly. The wine list is an afternoon read but every glass I have ever drunk has earned its way into the list.

The waiters know exactly when to come whilst allowing you space and time to enjoy your food.

Chez Bruce has been my top restaurant for 10 years. It still remains there as my most wonderful eating experience.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, February 06, 2011