Snugly nestled in central London’s leafy Bloomsbury neighbourhood, atop a traditional British pub, lies a newly opened hidden gem of Gallic gastronomy – Bistro Bleu.
Intimate and chic with an understated art deco edge, the 36-cover restaurant that has taken residence above The Rugby Tavern on Great James Street is everything a classic French bistro should be.
Run by Parisian born General Manager Reynald Tel and Head Chef Bernard Dumonteil from Lorraine in North Eastern France, the newest bistro to grace London’s streets promises an authentic taste of their home country’s finest, seasonal comfort food, combining flavour-fuelled Francophile magic with a slight British accent.
Neighbourhood Pub meets Bistro
Downstairs, The Rugby Tavern (recently reopened and substantially renovated as part of the Berkeley Inns small portfolio of pubs and restaurants) offers all the charm of a beautifully restored and revitalised London pub, with expertly poured pints, fine wines and cocktails. Upstairs, through its own dedicated Rugby Street entrance, Bistro Bleu encompasses effortless Francophile style, rich flavours and an elevated yet relaxed atmosphere.
Parquet flooring, deep blue velvet banquettes, gilt-edged mirrors, and large windows framing the leaf-laden branches outside transport diners to an unassuming nook of a Parisian quartier where lunch is designed to be lingered over.
As the natural daylight fades, small brass stemmed bistro table lamps, one-off paintings and the glinting bar beckoning from the back corner encourage intimate tête-à-têtes over well executed French à la carte classiques.
The Menu
In their pursuit of recreating the comforting flavours of their beloved bistros of home, Chef Bernard and former-chef-turned-GM Reynald, have shaped an à la carte menu comprised of approachable, simple, seasonal dishes, done extremely well.
Robust, earthy flavours and home-style bistro staples are imbued with nostalgia of meals à famille. Tuck into starters of: Provençal fish soup with rouille crouton; grilled asparagus with crispy mollet egg, Grana Padano and truffled hollandaise or tartlet of Burgundy escargot and oyster mushrooms.
Move on to mains including: Grilled swordfish steak with warm Niçoise salad and balsamic vinaigrette; rope grown mussels, confit fennel, cream & Pernod sauce; duck breast, confit shallot, dauphinoise potatoes, buttered tender stem and orange sauce; or classic grilled beef fillet with Roquefort sauce, French fries, and bistro salad.
Calling it fini before dessert will be impossible with tempting choices of: chocolate marquis with pistachio crème anglaise; caramelised lemon tart drizzled with blackcurrant coulis and crème fraiche; strawberry soufflé with strawberry & basil compote and strawberry sorbet; or a quintessential plateau de fromage with quince paste, grapes, walnuts, and oat cake.
Any bistro-lover knows that a reasonably priced Prix Fixe is a pre-requisite! Bistro Bleu’s is available 12pm-3pm Monday-Saturday, and represents fantastic value as all good prix fixes should, serving up two courses for just £25 or three courses for £29.50.
To end the week’s service, Sunday lunch has an inimitable cross-Channel charm. Begin with Gallic gumption, choosing between: chicken liver parfait, red onion compote, cornichon and toasted baguette; garlic escargot & oyster mushroom tartlet with parma ham; heirloom tomato & whipped goat’s cheese with basil dressing; or devilled whitebait with tartare sauce.
Then land firmly on English soil with sumptuous Sunday roasts of aged Scottish sirloin of beef, slow roasted pork belly, free-range chicken with chipolatas and sage & onion stuffing, or roasted butternut, kale & mushroom wellington.
To Drink
From perfectly chilled, crisp bottles of Crémant, and fine wines to a wide selection of handcrafted cocktails and of course showstopping bottles of Champagne, Bistro Bleu has all bases covered when it comes to what boisson to enjoy with your meal.
In addition to the extensive wine list and tempting choices of continental negronis, spritzes and French Martinis, the downstairs pub also grants access to a wide range of beers, ales and ciders by bottle, keg and cask.
Embrace the full French foray and peruse the long list of spirits and liqueurs for a pre-dinner aperitif, and concluding digestif by way of a warming cognac, whiskey, or cold brew coffee liqueur.
Whether a quick fixe, a grande weekend lunch gathering or intimate evening dining à deux, Bistro Bleu is the place where a warm welcome is always the order of the day.
