Bedford & Strand

There are some other wine rooms to choose from in the area, but what sets this one apart is the atmosphere. More wine drinkers and less cork sniffers. The staff are able and willing to guide you through a few glasses to find something you actually want to drink, rather than something you want to be seen drinking. This means that most people are there to relax and enjoy themselves.

I really liked the old-style look to the place, and the pre-theatre dinner we enjoyed was top notch. The dishes are simple but tasty, which goes a long way in my book. We didn’t know what wine to match our meals with, but the waiter was happy to help pick one that suited and he was genuinely French. I’d definitely go again. One of my faves in the area.
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David Mackintyre
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 28, 2011

Cosy and intimate, this is one of my favourite finds in all of London.

Originally went for a friends leaving do, but came back for dinner last week. I arrived early and had a drink at the bar (a delightful little cab/shiraz). The barman was warm and seamed very knowledgeable. When my companion arrived we were seated without the fuss I have come to abhor from the more commercialised bistros in the area. What the menu lacked in design, it makes up for in flavour. And although I found the cottage pie somewhat plain, the tartare was sublime.

I find the venue itself is summed up by its interior: classic, friendly, and intimate. I am certain that those who come expecting the ego-fanning pomp and elitism of high society will be happily disappointed by its simple layout and ethic. But the real highlight of my visit was the staff. They are real characters who know what they are talking about and are an absolute pleasure to engage with. I am so bored of lifeless, faceless waiting staff who would not dare crack smile, much less a joke. Here, thankfully, are real people who aren't afraid to stand up for their profession too. I watched one table of city-snoots who were being quite rude to our waitress, something about his cottage pie taking too long (this was a busy evening with almost every table full). Despite her apologies he seemed determined to lambast the poor girl on behalf of his appetite. She continued her attempts to placate the bear, now playing to his table as an audience, but he would not let her finish a sentence. I was about to lean across to liberate the young lady when she looked him square in eye and said "I appreciate what you are saying and have apologised, but do you know what is delaying it further? This conversation." She went on, "Now do you want me to go and get your main courses, or do you just want to sit there and shout at me some more?" As he fell silent, I damn near fell off my chair for laughing.

A great evening of fantastic wine, some good food and some spectacular entertainment.

Go to Bedford & Strand:

If you like an eclectic selection of wine at decent prices administered by some of the sharpest bar-staff in all of London. Relax and let your hair down.
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Thomas DeWaal
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, July 18, 2011

Good food, good wine, awful service.

Food: very good. Excellent smoked salmon and chicken liver pate to start, mains of haddock fish cakes and a Barnsley lamp chop resectively both great. Wine also very good. If a restaurant experience involved just the food, I'd have few complaints - great bistro food, in short.

Service: terrible. At the bar, I waited around 5 minutes whilst a bar man/waiter hovered at the other end, having a sip of his drink, before he noticed someone who had arrived after me, and serving him. Another bar man hovered in front of me, preparing a complex drink for someone, and although saw I was obviously waiting, made no attempt at communicating, no 'I'll be with you in a second' or knowing nod of the head. I gave up in the end and sat down, with no drinks. We asked to be moved to our table, still at this point with no drinks, as it would hopefully mean a chance to buy some!

At table: we were given only one food menu. I mentioned to the man who had sat us in the bar that I thought his bar staff could be a bit quicker; he muttered something in agreement. We were brought some bread - had to ask for it. The butter was hard, there were no butter knives nor side plates given to us. When I asked about this, the main man told me that it wasn't 'that kind of place' and that even 'the suits' in the week weren't given side plates. So we were meant to eat the bread over the paper tablecloth. I can appreciate that this is a laidback bistro, but when I've been to the real deal in France, or similar in Italy, spit and sawdust places, I've generally been given something other than the table to put my bread on. We were given some plates upon request, and a knife for the butter. Further flaws service-wise: waiter/waitress presence fairly non-existent for first part of meal, though this did improve as we went along. Service so disappointing that I would not go back. And the attitude of some members of staff was a little too 'that's the way we are, take us or leave us'.
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HighburyGirl - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Saturday, February 05, 2011

There are many reasons to visit this cosy restaurant in the heart of London's Theatreland, but the primary motivation for any wine lover would be the superbly crafted and very affordable list. 13 whites, 2 Pinks & 9 Reds are available by the glass, 50 cl carafe and bottle, & then you move on to the main list! This includes a couple of Petit Verdots, Traminer from Alto Adige and other 'off - piste' delights, especially among the stickies & fortifieds. Russian River Pinot Noir was available as a special when we visited for just £25 - a bargain. The charcuterie selection is delicious, the crunchy, mouth-tingling baby gherkins being the highlight. Mains included a well cooked whole sea bass delicately flavoured with thyme and a beautifully balanced smoked haddock fishcake, with top quality undyed smoked fish. Unfortunately, service is rather slow, and desserts are most certainly an afterthought - on a cold December night, one would expect Treacle Tart and Apple & Almond Tart to be served warm - this was a disapointing climax to an otherwise excellent evening. Service at 10% was reasonable by London standards, so overall 7½ out of 10. Wine lovers, enjoy the mains, savour the excellent deli, rejoice in a well-priced and eclectic wine list, but pass on dessert - we're watching our figures, after all!
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Tim Haslam
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, December 20, 2009

Went to the bedford & Strand saturday. Well the chef was amazing the food she cooked was A class but she did work for Gordon Ramsay so what can you expect. The Bar owners were there Kate and Jules very nice and friendy i must say. meet some intresting pepole that i hope to keep in contact with. Over all i love the place and i would recomend you go and try it for yourself and have a good night.
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Vince Skinner
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, December 07, 2009