Charlotte's Bistro

Having been recommended the Bistro by a friend I was very pleasantly suprised at the lovely atmosphere on entering. Apart from a couple of pushy 'my life depends on getting a table but I haven't reserved' it was still a nice feel to it.

The table we sat at and specifically ordered ie one with wall to one side so we weren't beset either side by dinners was unfortunately next to the cash register - not the best situ for me as I made sure my guest was ok.

The meal was excellent and very well presented and the waiter also topped up as were our drinks when near complete. Apart from him trying to chat up my date by speaking in spanish (which she did not understand even though she looked it) it was fine.

They also did not rush us from the seat when we were chatting after the meal and were very chatty and complimentary on our exit. It was a great place for a first date - even down to the cocktails being served at the bar with great expertise.

My only complaint are the tables are a little small and you are a little to close to other diners.
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Craig White
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Having eaten at Charlotte's Bistro on 3 separate occasions, I can honestly say each time it has been a great experience

My most recent visit, December 22nd 2011, was another very enjoyable dinner with my partner, mother and future mother-in-law.

When we arrived we were mistakenly seated at a wrong table, and after having been seated no more than 2 minutes, the waiter came over to explain his mistake, and asked us to move to another table.

This was no problem at all, as we had barely got settled at our current table, but as a way of an apology he offered all of us a complimentary glass of prosecco which was a lovely touch.

Service was great as usual, and the food was exceptional, with the pork belly being the stand-out dish on every one of my visits

I would highly recommend a visit to Charlotte's as each time I go, I get great cocktails, quick efficient service, and great food.

One of the better restaurants in Turnham Green/Chiswick.
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Declan Smith - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I had the pleasure of dinner at Charlotte's Bistro on Friday May 27th,which was a delight.

Staff were very knowledgeable of both the food and wine being served, they were charming, and the Restaurant has a great ambience.

The food was just glorious, my starter of Smoked Salmon was complimented beautifully with the Beetroot,Pickled Cucumber,Lemon & Caviar.

I chose the Lamb Rump & Sweetbreads for my main course, which was cooked to perfection.

Then came the difficult decision of which of the six dessert's to have,I had seen the people on the next table having the same problem, but I eventually went for the Bitter Chocolate Honey Marquise, which was simply exquisite.

I highly recommend you try the Charlotte experience!!
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Maggie Ward-Ellis
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 02, 2011

I have to say I disagree with most of the previous reviews.

I have been here three times and the food for both my wife and I has been excellent on all occasions. I particularly like the venison tartare starter which is great.

The 2 maitre d's who I think are the owners are very knowledgeable and friendly. The other serving staff lack a little warmth though and the service is not the quickest. The restaurant has always been busy and has a good buzz about it.

A different experience from the Ealing sister restaurant, both recommended.
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Mark
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, April 16, 2011

I liked the sister restaurant in Ealing. However, this site has far more competition, the opening of Cote on the same street will, I fear, be a killer blow.
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RD
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, August 25, 2010

A really mixed experience. Pleasant, if somewhat bland atmosphere, and service adequate if lacking in charm. The starters were interesting but not brilliantly conceived (mackerel, potato salad and horseradish -- a little odd, but mostly it worked), but the mains were truly disappointing. The bouillabaise was lukewarm, with the prawns hadving a faint taint of iodine, and while the broth was good, the chunks of fish overcooked fish floating it it tasted like they had been frozen; not awful but not very appetising. My wife's haddock while well conceived was a disappointment, as the hollandaise sorely lacked all zing, and became just a bland butter sauce.

But the puddings, the puddings were fabulous. The lime tart with sorbet was one of the best desserts I have had in a long time and the cheeseboard was outstanding (though I think there should be another option beside oatmeal buscuits, which are good but can be overpowering). The house wines were also very good, and the early diner menu would have been good value had the mains been good.

This place has a lot of potential -- some great choices -- but also some real stinkers.
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Brandon Block
5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, March 21, 2010

A summary review of the good and the bad:

The greeting: Just ok, we told the two bar staff we had a reservation and they nodded us toward another chap who in turn said the manageress would be with us in a moment. Surely one of the three of them could have shown us to our table or offered a drink?

The Decor: Reminded me of GBK, dark wood and rather unimaginitive stylings.

The service: Our waiter (French guy) was excellent, knowledgable and pleasant. The other waitress who served us was not so good. On the night we were there another table of about 14 was in so there were understandably quite busy but there's no excuse for plonking the missing sugar I asked for on my table without a word and steaming away.

The food: The mackerel starter was poor, beetroot was tasteless, potato salad undercooked, portion was tight and there was too much endive. The Reblochon tartiflette was very nice. the selection of starters left us struggling slightly as nothing sounded that great.

For main we both plumped for the onglet which was offered either pink or well done. I really wouldn't fancy eating an onglet well done so I found that strange. Having said that the meat and sauce were delicious and packed with the correct characteristic flavour I expected. The home cut chips on the side were a bit greasy and messy for my liking.

We shared a chocolate fondant for desert which was dry, heavier than expected and sadly not that good.

On the whole we agreed that the meal was reasonable but totally overpriced. We could have had much better quality food for the same price at a number of other restaurants (Le Vacherin, La Trompette, Villandry) all withing ten minutes walk. Charlotte's will need to revamp their menu and raise the standard if they want my custom back I'm afraid.
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johnboy - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Friday, March 19, 2010

The greetings on arrival was not the most friendly ! I looked at the guy at the bar, the other staff were standing at the staircase, looking downwards !

Waitress explained the cover charge for bread and water !

Being sunday, we ordered the sunday roast, other guests tucking into starters and we were waiting for our mains ! we waited and waited and really had to ask - since the place was not packed ! ah it seems food is prepared to order and since we had no starters a wait of 25mins - it felt like we waited much longer !

A main course, dessert and coffee - took 2 hours - nice and relaxing but not if you were in a rush !

Nice roast beef and strawberry panncotta ! so that made up for the wait !
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6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, March 07, 2010

Food was reasonable, if a bit predictable - venue is very noisy (probably due to one wall having ceramic tiling) - decor is trying too hard on too small a budget. Agree with other reviewers that the front of house was dreadful - despite our table being ready, and informing the FOH manager that we were in a hurry, we waited at the bar for ten minutes without even being offered a drink! With the excellent Villandry opened down the road, and with Cote to come, I wonder how it will fare?
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4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Sunday, February 28, 2010

very nice lunch - 19th Feb - but dreadful front of house service. The manager on duty had a very off hand, almost rude manner. when I arrived and asked if he could take my coat he gestured at some hooks under the bar - my coat would have sat on the ground - no thanks - or suggested that there was more room in the main restaurant - which there was, but I couldn't see it as i was waiting for my lunch companion in the bar area. What would it have taken for him to take it from me?

Then, when we were being taken to our table, he told us to sit wherever we wanted. We were 2, but as the restaurant was only half full we sat at a table laid for 4. He asked us to move. I pointed out that he'd said we could sit anywhere - he replied slightly abruptly that he hadn't expected us to choose a table for 4. Needless to say said table for 4 and about half of the restaurant remained empty until we left at 3.

Good food but somewhat marred by this manager's lack of finesse.

Oh and you can't take pushchairs up to the restaurant - I heard him explaining to a couple who arrived - don't they know this Chiswick?!
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7 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 19, 2010