Bistrotheque

Good but not great. Good things - service was good, atmosphere was lively, the room is large & attractive, and the food (pancakes with blueberries and mascarpone) was perfectly decent. Not so good things - rather uninspiring menu - brunch menu was quite extensive but main menu largely consisted of burgers, fish & chips and other standards (and apparently doesn't change often); they're a bit cheap - the pancakes didn't come with maple syrup (?!) so we asked for some, and then a £1.50 charge appeared on the bill for each little pot; the room was badly ventilated - cooking fumes permeate the restaurant so that the clothes I wore still reek of brunch, and we eventually had to leave because my friend's eyes were stinging; but the most annoying thing? The restaurant is not signposted. It's on the first floor of a converted building and you have to walk off the main street into a kind of alcove, go through a door off the alcove into the building then walk around a corridor to the right and go up to the first floor. At no point is there any indication that a restaurant exists in the building. Nothing. Nada. Not outside the building, not inside the building. This is irritating and pretentious.
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- View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Saturday, February 16, 2013

I'll go back over and over again. Great place.
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Sam - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 12, 2012

This place certainly has the wow factor. Very discreet entrance, which we did walk past first time. Its not signposted so look out for the white walls with nice lighting. Greeted by lovely waiter who allowed us to eat 30 mins before our table was booked for. The brunch menu was amazing and I wanted to order everything. But opted for the burger which looked amazing on the website. It was gorgeous, and came with loads of extras. Massive!!! The venue is incredible and I was very impressed. I will be back!!! Lovely waiting staff by the way, real sweet.
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R Morse
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 22, 2012

I went to Bistrotheque on V-day of all days for dinner with my other half. the welcome from the staff was warm and our waiter was very attentive. I had the roast squid to start which was wondefully done, tender with a crispy breadcrumb coating. To follow I had pan fried sea bass served on a bed of spinach which went down a treat. The wine list offered a great choice and had something to suit all budgets and tastes. Our waiter was more than happy to offer his opinion on which wine would best suit our food and provide the best value. To finish we shared (as you do on these occasions...) the lemon curd tart which was very well executed, the pastry was crisp, crunchy and sweetened to perfection to counter the sharpness of the lemon curd filling!

The atmoshpere in the busy dining room was lively and we felt very comfortable and relaxed.

All in all, I had a great evening as did my other half, we enjoyed the great food which was very reasonably priced, sampled some tasty drinks and felt valued by the staff. Couldn't ask for more!

I will definitely be returning (as I did not get the chance to sample the downstairs cocktail bar) and I am glad to have found this little gem!
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gcull9800 - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 18, 2011

I booked a table for my boyfriend's birthday after reading all the really good reviews. I was, however, really disappointed. The food was hugely overpriced and although it was nice, it was nothing special. The chicken was roasted beautifully but with no kind of sauce at all, it was just far too dry - no matter how well you roast a breast, it's always going to be dry without sauce. The portions were small and I (a small girl) was still hungry after 3 courses.

On a positive note, sevice was fine and the cabaret bar was lovely - great ambience and show. I'd go back for the bar but certainly not for the restaurant.
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5 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Friday, November 05, 2010

I recently visited Bistrotheque and had a fantastic time. We had a quick drink before hand in the bar downstairs which was nicely busy and the atmosphere was as you'd expect in 'trendy' Bethnal Green, very laid back but with a real buzz in the air.

We had a table booked for half 7 so headed upstairs just before and were shown straight to our seats. Our waitress was really switched on, she seemed to really know the menu and was extremely attentive which is always reassuring.

Again there was a real buzz in the restaurant and this seemed to be aided by the enthusiastic and friendly staff present. The food was gorgeous, Steak Tartare and the Fish & Chips were both excellent, as was the good variety of wines on offer.

I couldnt recommend this restaurant any higher, food is fantastic and there is the option of the downstairs bar and cabaret room so the place is always lively but seems to also provide that intimate feel that you want, especially as a couple. You will not be disappointed with a night at Bistrotheque!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Went for my boyfriend's b'day for dinner and the cabaret. No issues with any of it really, a genuinely enjoyable night. Waiting staff friendly as was FoH lady. We didn't go to the bar so can't comment.

We had the 3 course set menu for £20 which I thought was a really decent price considering the portions we got and the very lovely veg main course I had - thank God it wasn't risotto again; thank you for being slightly more creative Bistrotheque!

Boyfriend had the steak tartare and roast chicken. I had the stilton salad and a butternut squash gratin. All dishes were exactly what we wanted to eat at the time, nothing particularly cutting edge but it sure tasted and looked good and that was fine with us. Pretty good, buzzy, chatty atmosphere.

Cocktails were great and potent. Wine was good for a £20 bottle.

Cabaret amazing - Jonny Woo and Le Gateau Chocolat doing songs from the musicals. Very entertaining all round.

This was my first time at Bistrotheque - yes I know I'm very late - but I will be back.
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Aligs - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 28, 2010