Bistrot Bruno Loubet

Enjoyed a lovely dinner here and I'd go back again. Friendly service, tasty food, comfortable seating.
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LJ - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Made a point of coming here after good reviews, so perhaps had artificially high expectations that were not fully realised. Was initially alarmed at the familiarity of service, but the chap meant well and soon settled down. The room is very pleasant - I think I may coin a new term here if I call it 'light and airy' - and the area outside is good with Vinoteca and The Dovetail nearby. Food was good - only a main of pigeon disappointed slightly in that it was overly substantial and one-dimensional in flavour. Starters were excellent and showed the mains up a bit. Did not have dessert due to the pigeon. Wine was fairly priced and red.
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Thernard ''Davy'' Blenkhorne
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, July 01, 2010

Another memorable visit and again I'm in "boudin blanc heaven".

Absolutely everything was perfect and even Heston Blumenthal sitting next to me thought so.

However our evening was nearly ruined by an American greeter who couldn't be bothered to listen to my name or attempt to remember it when he finally mastered all five letters of it. He asked if I'd booked which I had of course, so he looked at his list where I could see my name then looked up at me and said he'd try to find us a table. He pointed to the bar and told us to wait there while he wandered off to do nothing much at all. Fortunately our mood was lightened by what must be London's most beautiful barmaid, I'm in love.....

Finally our American friend wandered past so I stopped him and asked how he was doing to which he replied "fine thanks how are you" obviously having completely forgotten about us. I replied "not good we're still sitting here waiting for the table we booked that you've obviously forgotten about". He looked confused and finally took us to a table that had been empty and ready when we arrived.

From there on we had a wonderful evening.

Bruno this guy needs sacking without delay he's a complete waste of space.
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Chris B
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Ah, now you're talking. This is a place to go to again and again. A charming room made more charming by the excellent relaxed yet attentive Maitre d'. Our evening began with excellent cocktails and what followed was food of a very high standard. My beetroot ravioli was light, subtle and divine. We chose from the extensive wine list a red for the langedocc which complimented our food well and then moved on to superb mains - mine a summer take on Cassoulet which was light and fishy. More langedoc wine serve us well and our puddings were all top class - mine a great creme brulee. Service on the whole good though sometimes a little slow. This is a place to go to again and again
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toby tucker
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 21, 2010

So pleased to have Bruno back in London where he belongs, it has been a long time.

Having used to frequent his Soho restaurant, I was expecting something really special, but it was just simple and well cooked. A true French Bistrot, short menu, very interesting, well prepared, clumsy presentation and over large portions (again very Bistrot), but lovely. The food was a little bland and the chefs could not get a handle of cooking fish, both my mackerel tart and main course gurnard were slightly overcooked. A touch more seasoning please.

My main worry though is the service. Cocky and arrogant, uber "trendy", slow and very poorly executed. From the maitre d' who could not raise a smile, to the 3-4 waiters whose attention you could never get as they were more concerned about what they did the night before. Examples : Greeting at door, sanguine and dull, host who seated us greeted us not once but twice. We had to ask for our order to be taken, then our wine did not arrive before we received our food ( we did not have aperitifs), we asked for extra bread 3 times, to 3 different waiters and it never arrived. The under side of the plate was dirty, I was checking the pottery coming from Staffordshire, yuk (the dirt not the plate). Mains were cleared, we had to ask for our dessert order to be taken. After they were cleared, yes you've guessed it, we had to ask for coffee after yet another 10 minute wait, by the way the chocolates served with it were stale. When it came to paying the bill, once again we had to ask for it. God I hate these wannabe trendy places, be cool but be good, this front of house team were neither cool or good. Bruno sort it out, fire a rocket up their lazy backsides!
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Emily Bunce
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, May 26, 2010