Bistro Aix

I went with a few friends for a birthday dinner at Aix last night. The food was in my opinion as good as any I have tasted in London, (and I've been to a few of the big names in my time). Considering the modest price point this represented great value, and I did'nt have to go into the West end either. This has been my only visit here so far but based on that I would definitely return and recommend it to others. I should also mention that this is the first time I have been moved to write a review of a restaurant , such was my enjoyment of the evening.
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Nick Rote - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Had a great meal first time we went to Bistro Aix about 18 months ago so decided to return for a special occasion. Unfortunately this time round we were sorely disappointed.

The service was incredibly slow (30 mins to be served drinks, 1 hr 15 for starters). The food was very mixed. Complained about the minute crab cakes (two 2 pence piece sized cakes with loads of rocket) - to be told crabs don't have much meat on them. They brought a couple more albeit reluctantly. Main course of ham hock was very fatty.

The staff just didn't seem to care - even though we were incredibly polite in complaining. We even ended up having to get our own coats at the end of the evening - don't think they were very impressed that we'd asked for the service charge to be removed. Such a shame as we'd had a good meal last time we'd been, but won't be returning!
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Paul Hewerdine
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, February 09, 2011

My wife and i have been coming here for many years now and the food is consistently delicious and the menu one of the best in North London. I agree with some aspects of the reviews that the service can be slow especially when they are busy and that some of the tables are too close together. Having said that we have recommended this restaurant to friends who are serial foodies and they are now regulars. I am a VIP member and am looking forward as ever to going there again tonight. We probably eat here once a month and have yet to have a poor meal. I must therefore say that i am surprised by the negative reviews.
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Stanley
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, December 10, 2010

When we first moved to Crouch End we used to eat here at least once a month, sometimes every fortnight. We even signed up for their VIP members list. This year (2010) we have eaten here less often. This has been because the food has gone really down hill. The last two dining experiences were truly awful and we wonder if the owner has got complacent and is spending less time in the kitchen. For example on our last visit, I ordered the terrine de maison which was served very cold imparing the flavour, as a result I might as well have eaten foam rubber, unbelievably bland. My partner had the scallops which were cooked to rubber, and the other two starters were so indifferent I can't even remember what they were. The main courses were similarly forgettable apart from the pork which came with an inedibly sweet compote which might have been from a jar of Robinsons strawberry jam. The dessert, (we all had sorbets) might as well have been a McFlurry. Absolutely awful. I used to rave about this place, I could even appreciate the gallic style service and cramped seating as part of its charm, but after the last two or three visits I would be ashamed to take friends here or recommend it. So sad, an institution gone to seed.
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Geraint Lloyd
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

We went as a party from work and all opted for the set menu. The starter which was deep fried Brie was something you might buy in Iceland. Having never had this before my collegues assured me it was a lovely starter to have but the look and taste were awful which we all agreed. Then the mains started to arrive and as half had order steak we realised they had not asked any of us how we wanted it cooked and they were all very rare which was not how most of us wanted it. When we pointed this out the waitress she admitted she should have asked us but I would have thought the chef would have pointed this out before he started cooking. Again the chips that accompanyed the steak were again frozen skinny chips and the veg arrived half way through the meal.

Having read the rest of the reviews, I am only assuming we were unlucky that night with the food choice.
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2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Visited Aix for the 2nd time this weekend. We were late customers& the last to leave , but they were most helpful & did not rush us! Atmosphere was most pleasant! Food delicious -Courgettes Ribbons-delightful & different! Calves' liver cooked pink to perfection! Lavender Ice Cream & pink grapefruit Sorbet- flavoursome, cleansing & a perfect end to the meal ! A most delightful experience! I noted a previous 'review' saying the card reader mentioned a service charge when there was one already added!! Blame the Bank/Credit Card Company NOT the Restaurant-how very petty!!!
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Keith Brigham
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Tried this place on a quiet Sunday evening. Liked the menu and thought the ambience was pleasant.

Not blown away by the cooking.

Onion soup was OK, nothing special. Bread was good and fresh.

Roast lamb cutlets with dauphinoise potatoes. Nice meat, but not cooked to perfection. I think it needed a hotter oven for better maillard reaction.

Creme brulee was enjoyable. Nice wide dish.

Overall OK, but pricey for what it was. I like to go to restaurants that can cook better than me. This one didn't meet that test.
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Fatty Lo''s Disciple
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Monday, March 01, 2010

So over priced....hugely overrated! This was my second visit, first visit about 7 months ago which was admittedly a pleasurable dining experience, however this return was horrid, just endorses my belief that there are very few consistently good restaurants in London, if you have a good experience dining in London, you got lucky. Sat down (with 7 other guests), was a saturday night so they were busy even though not all tables were full, and silly us for going on a Saturday night...... waited 20 mins for service, nobody came to ask us if we wanted any drinks, had to call the waiter to take our food order, had to ask for a wine list, had to ask for glasses for our water, asked for some more bread had to wait near on 15 mins and then when it did arrive it was cold (not warm like the first serving), Starters took near on 25 minutes to arrive, Onion soup had a crouton crust that was so thick it hermetically sealed the bowl meaning the soup underneath wasn’t properly warm…could not face the prospect of another long wait so ate it anyway, then the main course took near on 40 minutes to arrive, had the Osso Buco, what meat there was was nice, wasn’t much of it though, actually come to think of it…perhaps just three or four moderate mouthful’s, (hoorah for French fries and Spinach) but I had mainly a marrow bone encased in a thick layer of fat…yeeeuch! with a small helping of a risotto mush like substance underneath. French Fries were nice, so was the spinach. The Tarte Tatin (15 minutes to arrive) was alright, nothing special, pastry undercooked, flambé….damp squib more like. Chairs are unbelievably uncomfortable (unless you get the padded bench seat) sure they look authentic Bistro but an Austin Allegro is authentic but you wouldn’t want to sit in one of those for four hours! Bill came to around 40 pounds per head so not cheap, would I go back…sure if they were offering a free Christmas holiday to Barbados with every meal but that is about as likely as me ever returning to Bistro AIX. Avoid.
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Andy Berns
1 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Sunday, February 21, 2010

I have eaten at this restaurant many times and love the large classic French menu and the intimate dining room. The main problem is service. When the dining room is crowded there is a long wait between courses, because the kitchen seems unable to cope. If you go early, you should avoid these problems. I have never had a bad meal at Aix but have had to endure some bad-tempered co-diners who wanted their courses to come more snappily. The waiters are cool and professional, rather than friendly which is fine by me, but if you're looking for an effusive welcome go elsewhere.
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7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 23, 2009

I highly recommend this delightful restaurant in Crouch End. The food, service and wines are all excellent in this French brasserie that could have been plucked from Parisian Boulevard. I’ve eaten here many times and have always left happy.
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Pure W
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, August 25, 2009