Chez Bruce

Have been waiting to go for months, so was looking forward after all the good things I've heard. I wasn't disappointed. First off, the place looks the part. Quite small but exactly what you would expect - smart and stylish. Went with a group of six, and immediately got addicted to the bread, which was some of the best I've tasted in years. Also had one of their organic beers which was damn good. Haven't had the starter yet and already I loved the place!

To start I had the Rare grilled tuna with prawn tempura. The tuna was perfect. You could tell it was high quality and was seared on the outside with just the right amount of pepper. If anything the prawns were even better, just the right amount of crispyness. The tempura could have been a little stronger though.

My main was Côte de boeuf with hand cut chips. The chips were great, fluffy, crispy and tasty. The beef was good, but only good so was a bit of a let down. Cooked well enough, but a little chewy. The gravy however made up for this. The wine list was certainly comprehensive, and our Cairanne was perfect.

For dessert I had the Lemon curd and blueberry ice cream. The ice cream was perhaps the best I've ever had, with the blueberries providing just the right amount of zest.

Coffee and complementary chocolates rounded off a great meal, and for £70 all in it was a decent price for what it was. Recommended.
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Stephen H - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, May 16, 2008

We went to Chez Bruce last night and had a fantastic night. The food is fabulous and the service is attentive without being overbearing. The Sommelier is knowledgeable and helpful and the waiting staff are friendly and polite. The atmosphere in the restaurant is excellent and we were able to take our time without feeling rushed at all. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
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Fiona
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, May 01, 2008

My boyfriend and I went to Chez Bruce last Tuesday night and it certainly lived up to expectations. The food was delicious (rare tuna, quail terrine, lamb, syllabub, cheesecake) and excellent choice of wines. Is now £40 for 3 courses but still excellent value. Only criticism is that we felt rather cramped in on one of the small tables against the wall. Can't wait to go again!
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Emily
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, April 21, 2008

I went to Chez Bruce for the first time yesterday evening after having heard so much about it with high expectations and was very disappointed. The food was below average for a michelin star restaurant. We tried quite a few different things and we were not impressed by any of the courses. Most of them were either too salty, too fat or too sugary,. This came as quite a surprise as none of the dishes were particularly elaborate dishes and therefore difficult to execute. And what we missed most were great tasting basic ingredients: apart from the halibut, which was very fresh, everything else tasted like average supermarket food, not particularly fresh or exceptionnal. And this is usually part of a michelin starred restaurant experience: a chef who is able to execute even the most basic dishes perfectly by using very fresh and great tasting ingredients. This is clearly not the case by Chez Bruce. At least the wine was good, this made up for a very average tasting dinner.
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clara
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Dined here the other night. I had heard great thngs about this place and so my expectations were high. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. The food was perhaps the best I have ever had at a restaurant - and I do dine quite a bit nowadays.

The service was exceptional and the sommelier was very knowledgable; the wine list goes on for about 30 pages!

I will definately dine here again.
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nakedlunch - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, March 30, 2008

Sally your spot on... this person is clearly a muppet, and wish he did'nt soil our lovely neighbourhood. Also if he likes the hope then really oh dear
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Peter
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 29, 2008

I have eatern at least a dozen times. The food has always been outstanding, the service immaculate. Having eatern in countless Michelin starred places, Bruce Pool beats all (except one!). I think there is something slightly missing to make it to two stars, but being a local restuarant I would'nt want it anyway.

The wine list has some true treasuers on it, with a fine selection from Alsace which is always pleasing to see. The Sommelier, Terry, is very friendly and not salesy which you find in certain places.

What I also think is great about the place, is they only book the evenings up one month in advance, which is good as other places (like petrus) have be booked up 6 months in advance..

As I live near the place and have a child on the way a there will be a monthly visit as they allow for kids there.

BTW...whoever below said about the pub next door....its a dump, smells, and the bar service it terrrible, clearly a person wtih no taste.
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Peter
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, March 28, 2008

food too salty,
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anna
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

I was there on Sunday as a table of 4 for the 3rd time in 8 months and it was excellent in all departments. This level of consistency is really hard to maintain, however it remains a great place to eat and one of London’s very best restaurants.
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Angus
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 05, 2008

I am not in the habit of writing restaurant reviews on websites, but this is without doubt the No.1 restaurant in London.

I have been to Chez Bruce twice and both times have had faultless food and service, combined with a fantastic relaxed atmosphere. Would eat here every week if I could, simply cannot rave about this place enough!
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Bridget
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, February 14, 2008