Chabrot Bistrot d'Amis
Time Out rating:
<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
User ratings:
<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
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Time Out says
Tue Oct 16 2012
This incredibly charming place will have you thinking you’re in Nîmes or Narbonne rather than a pedestrian alleyway five minutes from Harrods. The food is classic bistro fare, and the look – wood panelling, red and white table linen, dark aprons on waiting staff – maintains the illusion perfectly. But Chabrot is no bistro theme-park: this is seriously skilful cooking using high-quality ingredients. What’s more, despite the locale, it doesn’t even need to be expensive, and the succinct, all-French wine list gives ample scope (including 50cl carafes) under £25.
We built a lunch mostly from the wonderful hors d’oeuvres (‘served as ready’), which is an easy-going way to eat here. Nothing was less than excellent: snails swimming in garlicky butter, marrow bones split lengthwise for easy eating, a robust aubergine salad with soft goat’s cheese, deep-fried squid liberally dosed with spicy Espelette pepper (a fantastic dish). An artisanal charcuterie platter featured top-quality ham, lomo, saucisson, chorizo and rillettes. Some dishes are for two or three for special occasions (such as roast chicken with foie gras), and there is a daily ‘formule’ (main course with/without a glass of wine). The only sour note came from other diners: two young women who did their make-up at the table before departing. But that’s not the management’s fault, and certainly not enough to spoil a memorable meal at an exceptional restaurant.
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