Le Bistro

Went in on Saturday night for the first time for a while, not sure what to expect having seen some of the bad reviews on this site. However, all our previous trips had been good so we decided to give it another try. The food was great, the staff couldn't have been more pleasant, the manager/owner was welcoming and chatty without being overpowering. Atmosphere was as always; laid back. I'm glad to say that this Hornsey institution is as good as ever.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 23, 2008

I was shocked to read bad reviews of Le Bistro. As a long time resident of crouch End, this restaurant stands well above any I have been to in the area. The food is superb french cusine, fresh delicious oysters, juicy perfectly cooked beef en daube and puddings to die for. J'adore Le Bistro
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Emily Holmstoel
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 11, 2008

We have been to this lovely local retaurant several times now. The staff have always been polite and friendly and when we arrived 10 minutes before closing time they went out of their way to stay late and serve us. The set menu is brilliant value, the food very tasty and the atmosphere always warm.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, December 04, 2007

We have been coming to this neighbourhood restaurant fairly regularly for only over a year although have been aware of it for nearly 20 years...It has always been good value with fresh food decently cooked. Our recent visit , after about two months, however, was very disappointing, Le Bistro appears to have fallen into the hands of "others" and was not the better for it. There was definitely no sign of any French hand here and the blaring television by the bar and the accompanying thick set men in baseball caps plus the bossy waitresses confirmed our worst fears.

The meal itself was edible but dull and not worthy of special comment; we realized the menu hadn't changed in a year- the salad was so poorly dressed as to produce a coughing fit in one of the party due to an excess of malt vinegar.

Our plates were literally whisked away before we had finished eating and then, to add insult to injury, our little paper mats were scrunched up in a very officious manner and removed whilst we were in deep conversation - not a happy intervention. We also had the irritating

"Is everything all right with your meal?" question which certainly smacks of a restaurant devoid of any self confidence. On visiting the ladies' loo the floor was sticky and basin very grubby. The wine was pleasant but anonymous and the bill for two was £54.00 without service, for two courses each plus wine. We are sad that this restaurant has lost its original character but now that it is under new management it has totally lost its way. We will not be returning.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Friday, September 28, 2007

I am not one for writing reviews nor do a generally take other people's reviews for gospel but today I am making an exception. But where do I start with this?

Firstly the good point, the food is undoutedly good. Well presented and well cooked. But that is where it ends.

I am by no-means a snob, nor a food critic, but I have to say that the attitude of the "head-chef"/ "manager" was absolutely apalling and despite the good food I will never step foot inside this restaurant again.

We arrived with a baby in a pram which you might say is a bit awkward in a restaurant but having pre-warned them with a phone call we were told this would be no problem. Sure enough the "manager" kicked up a real fuss and made us feel very uncomfortable, despite that fact that it was 7pm and the place was empty at that stage!

We then waited an enternity to have even our drinks order taken, and again I stress that there were more staff than customers at this stage so no excuse other than arrogance.

The meal and wine were fine, as I said, but one dish arrived without a main ingredient rendering it very bland. We asked whether this had been left off by mistake only to be told bluntly that "No we just don't 'ave it." No sorry, no excuse me, just more arrogance. We suggested that maybe it be crossed off the menu which is apparently "created" each day but were then told that "there are many things I should do but I do not have the time".

Fair enough, the guy is obviously a busy chap so we said no more about it.

Upon paying the bill, we told the waiter that the food was good and that we were pleased with his service. As I minor aside, we mentioned that one of the dishes came without a main ingredient, feeling that he was more senior and professional than the "manager" / "head chef". We did not ask for a discount, nor did we make a big issue of it as it was only a minor point, on our part at least!

The waiter went off to the kitchen and we were then subjected to the most unbeliveable outburst from the chef (bored of calling him manager or head chef as he warrants neither title!). His customer service extended to a 5 minute rant about how he starts work at 5am every day buying ingredients (though not the one for our dish apparently), creates the menues (though obviously doesn't change them when things are unavailable). He proceeded to tells us that he had worked in "Dorchester, Claridges, all of them, I'm not scared of Gordon Ramsey or anybody". Excellent point my friend but perhaps you should keep your personal issues in the kitchen as opposed to arguing with customers who were more than entitled to comment on the food that they are paying to "enjoy".

As I say, I am not a food critic nor a snob, if I were I might have been enclined to tell our excitable chef that I have eated in many top london restaurants through my work in the events industry and none of them had a chef, head-chef, KP or bell-boy with such a complete lack of manners and customer service skills. He should be embarrassed and I hope this review is read by many.

Previous reviews about him "getting over yourself, this is Hornsey High Street mate" are spot on.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, August 07, 2007

They were welcoming and efficient. The food was good. Gazpacho was the right temperature and consistency, fillet was good quality and cooked to order. The end bill was very reasonalbe. In all a good place to visit.
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Jeremy
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, July 21, 2007

We'd heard a lot about this "charming" restaurant but, apart from the cosy decor, were disappointed on the whole. The food was hit and miss - delicious fish soup, small, chewy, tasteless l'escargots, tender, tasty breast of duck and fillet steak, greasy, miniscule portions of sea bass, crisp veg - but portions were small and, on the whole, we thought it overpriced. To top it all off, our waiter was snooty and arrogant and acted like he was doing us a favour serving us. Get real, mate, it's Hornsey High Street, not West End Gordon Ramsay!
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Deanne Pearson
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Thursday, July 12, 2007

Authentic-looking traditional French bistro which looked perfect for an extended family gathering, but was a bit hit and miss.The scallops and rustic fish stew for starters were delicious, the l'escargots small, chewy and not very tasty. For mains the duck breast and fillet steak were very tender and perfectly cooked, but the sea bass consisted of two very small thin tail ends pan-fried with tiny chopped potates which were greasy and tasteless. In fact, all the portions were small and we all left feeling rather dissatisfied after a three-course meal! Plus our waiter was a bit snooty and arrogant - my younger son thought that he'd been watching too many celebrity chef Tv programmes! Wouldn't revisit.
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Deanne Pearson
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, July 09, 2007

I'm sorry that some reviewers didn't have a good time at Le Bistro, but I've been coming here for a few years now and it's always been fabulous. It certainly serves carnivores well - the chateaubriand was gorgeous - and we've always found the service warm and welcoming, if occasionally slow.

For a local, it's brilliant to have such a reliably good restaurant nearby and with the added bonus of lovely outside space (helpful for those of us who haven't chosen to kick the evil nicotine!) I'd recommend a visit if you're round this way.
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Tammy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 05, 2007

Superb! We have recently moved to the area and were recommended this small local traditional French Bistro and we were not let down.

Friendly, prompt service, sublime Chateaubriand for the four of us. Perfect fries and dauphinoise potato's. Deserts were just as good. Tart Tatin with vanilla ice cream was a classic and well executed triumph and the warm chocolate fondant wasn't the best I've ever had it was certainly well above average and over all great value for money. Great buzzy atmos and lovely decor. We will be back and very soon I hope!
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E Harvey
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 14, 2007