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Bloody French
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By Guy Dimond
The faux-bohème look of this place, with its black-painted walls, blackboard menus and big shared tables, is its main appeal. The service is charming and always with a smile, if a little amateurish. With such a groovy interior – you almost expect to bump into Charlotte Gainsbourg sucking on a Gauloises – it's a surprise that the menu isn't so much playfully retro and tongue-in-cheek as plain old-fashioned. From the goat's cheese in pastry starter through to the profiteroles for dessert, this menu is stuck in the past.
Brown onion soup was just that, served with a slightly burnt then cheese-coated croûte floating in it like a sodden mattress. Duller was to come. ‘Hachis parmentier' was shepherd's pie, indistinguishable from many canteen versions – but in an attempt to make it more interesting, the pile of mash was divided by a strip of bitter rocket and a drizzle of something sticky and brown, which I was told was a balsamic reduction. The combination was as mismatched as General de Gaulle in a frock. A neighbour's risotto had been garnished in the same way, suggesting either a lack of imagination or a paucity of ingredients in the kitchen.
Prices don't reflect the mediocre standard of the cooking: that onion soup cost £3.70, the shepherd's pie £7.90, profiteroles £4.80. Wine simply described as ‘Chablis' – no producer? or year? – is served by the glass, or carafe, so you have little idea what you're
drinking unless you order by the
bottle or ask the staff, who, on our visit, didn't know.
In atmosphere, this bistro emulates the bistros of the trendy rue Oberkampf in Paris that it appears to pay homage to – but the cooking just isn't up to Parisian bistro standards.Time Out London Issue 1902: January 31-February 6 2007
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Details
- 149 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, W11 2RS
- Area: Notting Hill
- Tel: 020 7727 7770
- Book online
- Category: French
- Travel: Notting Hill Gate tube
- Times: Open Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 7-11pm; Sat, Sun 11am-11pm
- Price: Meal for two with wine and service: around £60
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We were warmly welcomed at Bloody french and given a table looking by the fire. We ordered a bottle a house red wine and my dining partner ordered the duck foie gras terrine wich was excellent . he have ordered the bourguignon which he thought was delicious. I order the scallops and then a spelt risotto for my main meal. Both were a joy. For a desert, the chocolate fondant. which was perfectly cooked.
The waitress was really busy because too many people came at the same time (they have a small kitchen , she told me) but she had always a smile for us.
Sorry I had raved about this place in the past but it has really gone down. The other night we waited an hour for our food - and the first course we ordered was cold pate. Today's rating is 2 stars.
The place had no atmosphere and the waiter ignored when I said I had booked the £21 3 course menu meal. Ordered the Duck pate which was basically just the duck's fat, had the boeuf for main which was really small for the £13 they charged me and was not offered desert. Totally bad experience and would not recommend this place.
We had spent a wonderful evening at Bloody French. Scallop to start , Ribeye for Main , and chocolate fondante for dessert. Everything were wonderful...as usual.
The service is always charming and with a smiile? You have got to be kidding. I went there last weekend and have never, ever experienced service like it. There were 6 of us dining in the whole place, and three waiters. When the waiters interrupted their chatting to serve us, the woman lounged over like a rugby player, stood hands on hips and a slouched stare which was her way of saying "May I take your order please?" without any verbal communication, let alone words. We didn't actually have a single word spoken to us by any of the waiting staff through our entire lunch. We thought we were on some form of candid camera, especially when we realised the name of the restaurant was called "Bloody French",
Will never cross their doorstep again. Oh, the food was quite nice. I suggest the chef quits immediately and goes elsewhere.
I am living not far from Bloody French and Bloody French wasn't as good as today when they have opened two years ago. Food wasn't good. After few months , food was excellent but you had to wait hours to have your plate.
Let's say that BF is excellent (food and service" since last summer...but it's true that their 20 quid offer is amazing!
Bloody French is a formidable find! I like it's simple brasserie appeal, which makes it possibly the most authentic French supper in London. "Stuck in the past" as Guy Dimond says is precisely what defines French cuisine. For less than £20 per head I hope he wasn't expecting a Michelin starred waste of effort on a plate. Bloody French is all about perfectly finished simple classics. I used to live in France and felt really at home here. All the dishes were cooked to perfection and spot on. Don't be mis-Guy-ded! lol
I always spend nice evenings in this place. Food is excellent and set menu really cheap...I always feel myself in Paris when i go to Bloody French.
I am also happy to not wait 30 mns to have my dinner anymore...
I have had several great meals at this restaurant and think the prices are very reasonable for Notting Hill. Their pan fried fois gras is excellent and remarkably good value and their simply cooked fresh fish is delicious. I do agree that the wine list is disappointing but if you go on a Monday or Tuesday evening you can bring your own wine. Service is friendly and this place can have a buzzy bistro atmosphere. This is a great local!
Sorry but Guy is right.
Miniscule portion of lamb rump (rump?) was very ordinary and a bit gristly ( gristle would not matter at home but with thgis it was a high percentage of the tiny total. Gratin potatoes was fine.
Od discussion with waitress who was confused by our asking what vegetables....we were told none so we asked for some and brocolli was forthcoming (actually there was a small single floret on the plate).
Mediocre food and expensive wines - all around £20 upwards.