I recently spent three weeks in France and was disappointed in the food we encountered there. ON my…read morereturn to England to make up for our experience we visited the Great House and also Mariners as Il Punto is now known. Why I want to know can the French do it here but no longer in there own country? Mariners / Il Punto is simply fantastic, great French food served in perfect size portions with a great wine list, brilliant service. I cannot fault this place. I will always return!

Wow. This is the second time I've eaten on the boat, and it has been just as fantastic on both…read moreoccasions. For some reason, I've managed to not eat here until the last six months or so, put off I think by its apparent "poshness" - I was so wrong, it's not "posh", just very well done in a typical French style. The boat is immaculate, the staff smart and just the right side of formal. This time me and Lucy came out for a little treat as we haven't eaten out in a while. The service was outstanding, with the staff always being on hand but never too attentive and fussy. Kir for aperitifs, with a lovely Chablis (they have an excellent selection by the half bottle) with starters, and a truly fabulous Morgon with the mains. All the food was perfectly presented and delicious, rounded off with simply the best cheesecake I've ever eaten and amaretto coffees. All in all, it was brilliant. Definitely not the cheapest place, but as everything was so good, I consider it excellent VFM. Highly recommended, I'll see you there soon!

Chez Tonton is outstanding, I've been passing for years meaning to go in and finally did last night…read morethanks to a taste card 2 for 1 offer and I have to say it was excellent, I really am kicking myself it's taken me this long to try it. The food prices are reasonable and the wine is excellent value, £31 for a bottle of Chateauneuf du pape. Tasty food, great wine and a very welcoming and gracious owner really make Chez Tonton a gem of a local restaurant. If you're nearby, or even if you're not it's worth the trip to this great little bistro, it gives Barnét an accent.

Possibly the best french bistro this side of the channel…read more Creme Brulee is the best I have tasted anywhere in the world, although recently I tried the assiette du chef dessert (a little piece of many things) which was equally fantastic, so now i'm torn whenever I go. A meal at Chez Tonton is always an occasion- Eric brings over delicious Kir Royale, and melt in the mouth cubes of garlic bread whilst you select your order. The french onion soup is lovely, as are the rillettes. Lunch is a steal, with 2 and 3 course deals on offer each day. Dinner is somewhat pricier, but worth every penny.

Great food, service and ambiance. I will return again. One of Chelmsfords best kept secretsread more

There are so many amazing hidden gems in Essex, and Russell's Restaurant is one of them…read more The building dates back to 1372, and is a converted barn. Before it was a restaurant, it was a woodshed, where my grandfather would go to buy wood. The restaurant has kept some of the original features, like the beams and high vaulted ceiling, which gives it a very rustic feel. The food is mostly French inspired, but mostly locally sourced (something I always like to see!) For my starter, I had the seared king scallops, which were served with a pea and asparagus compote, black pudding and black truffle oil. Scallops are one of my favourite things, and if it's on a menu it's a pretty safe bet that I'll be ordering it. These, in my opinion, were perfect - which is very high praise, as scallops are really easy to get wrong. These were perfectly seared and crisp on the outside, but really juicy inside - not at all stringy (which is the worst!) and the combination of asparagus, black pudding and truffle oil was divine. My dinner date had the chicken liver parfait, a pate served on toasted brioche with a sultana and sauternes jus. This was followed by a main course of duck - a seared Gressingham duck breast served with duck rillette bon bons, roasted pommes de cocotte potato and sauteed pak choi with cumberland jus. The duck was beautifully cooked, and the meat was meltingly tender. For my main course, I went for the Tournedos Rossini, served medium rare. The aged fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef was served on top of a potato and parsnip rosti, and was topped with seared foie gras, baby spinach, truffle oil and a wild mushroom jus. Basically, it was a whole list of my favourite ingredients on top of one another, and it was delicious. The flavours were delectable, and the whole dish was presented impeccably. After dinner I went for a coffee followed by a coconut and Malibu pannacotta topped with toasted coconut and sweet candied pineapple. The standard of the food and service is really impressive - and the venue has a lot of character, and for the quality of the meal, the price is really quite reasonable.

Amazing entrecôte! Mario was my server tonight and he was exceptional! Friendly, efficient, and…read morefast. The food was delish and came fast. Efficient chef and staff I was in and out with a full belly and a smile. They were so kind and patient. They allowed other guests to hang out and enjoy their wine. And they even had a bunch of regulars come in and everyone was treated exactly the same. With kindness and efficiency. If you are nearby staying at the hotel or if you are enjoying the British Musuem, check them out! I had a glass of Malbec (attached) with my dinner and it was well balanced and fruity!

Very good experience for French and Mediterranean cuisine. Good quality of food. Fresh and tasty…read more Service is remarkable comes from hart. Very fast. The atmosphere is very good. I like it.

Go for the excellent service and selection of healthy and hearty lunch options. The sushi salad…read morewas delicious and something I hadn't tried before. The restaurant was quaint and located along the river and offered outdoor seating. Every entrée I saw pass by looked outstanding! If I ever return to Canterbury, I will definitely go back!

I have 1 word unbelievable. I was just walking on the dull streets of Canterbury but 1 thing…read morestood out in those streets like a man rising from the sky the enchanted new smell as I walked in was absolutely exquisite . When you go in it transports you to a world where sadness and woe are just a mere oblivion there staff working side by side together like a family the food served straight from the oven there just one more thing to say thank you

Stayed at The Great House in The Versailles Room on the evening of our small lockdown wedding…read moreceremony this week. We had the seven course tasting menu matched with wines, which was outstanding. The staff, venue, food, atmosphere, all exceeded our expectations. Amazing place that we will definitely revisit. Thanks for a wonderful experience. Phil & Rosa

Note perfect classic French (ish) food, served by superbly professional French staff, in a very…read morecharming medieval building. Expect to dine surrounded by well-heeled Suffolk retirees and people "just up" from London; it's not a young crowd. Think "captains of industry". I understand this place has been in business over 20 years; the owners are in fact French. Probably the best cheese selection in the East of England.

Excellent French cuisine bistro restaurant. Wonderful…read moreatmosphere, excellent menu, super service and great food. Everyone I know who has dined here has loved this place. Highly recommended.

From the owner: Table Du Marché (which translates as Market Table) is an independent French Gastro Bar and…read moreRestaurant with an emphasis on seasonal food, locally sourced, combining classical French dishes with a modern twist. Menus are updated daily with specials and plenty of options for vegetarians. We work closely with local allotment owners and regularly purchase their veg and herb harvests for use in our restaurant.

We had dinner here the other night and also had lunch last summer. It was full as a cocktail party…read morein their function rooms so service was a little scattered, whereas last summer service was excellent. This time our starters were delicious, but my main was vegetarian and badly conceived & flavorless. They did take it off our bill. This meant I had room for dessert instead which was fabulous - blackberry fruit leather cannelloni with apple cream inside. My husband had Welsh rarebit for dessert which was brilliant & then sparked several other diners ordering it!! Overall a nice night & last time lovely lunch sitting outside by the river. Just improve the vegetarian option & would have been 5 stars!!

From the owner: Lekkere zeetong, Deense kabeljauw, Oostendse garnalen, kalfszwezeriken, rib - eye en nog zoveel…read moremeer .....

Listen, I'm not so sure authenticity is something to hang your hat on if you're channeling a French…read moreBistro. Having trecked to deepest SW France every month for the past few years to visit mum I've seen the state of French rural cooking and it's not bon. So I was hoping a less intrepid short trek down the Shepherd's Bush Rd might yield something with a little more je ne sais quoi. The restaurant itself is most inviting. Obligatory 20's ad posters adorn the walls. Wooden tables with cloths, all that jazz. And I want the mustard tiles that adorn the loo. All very lived in and homely. And welcoming too. Our waitress bought the specials board with her and gave it some Anthea Redfern, our choices made all the harder for her doing so. Is there a man who doesn't tip up at a French bistro, scour the menu, deliberate, pontificate, cogitate and then order the steak and chips? If there is I'll show you someone going through transition. It's just what men do. And so did I. The steak on offer was onglet. Only the French can make a cheap choice sound exotic. Note. It's not cheap. £30. The missus went for a chicken and tarragon pie which sounded more French than that but basically it described a chicken and tarragon pie. We ordered a starter to share, anchoiade tartinette. Gentlemen's Relish on toast, not the strictest of Google Translates but serves my purpose here. What came looked a little uninspiring. I know bistro is homely and simple but this slice of toast with a mercifully thin spread of the salty stuff and topped with walnut and boiled egg needed a bit of sprucing up somehow. The plate looked bare but we both agreed any joy here was actually in the eating which frankly is the most important thing. We quaffed without quibble and enjoyed what we ate. Punchy, interestingly textured, it got the taste buds going for the mains. The steak was good. Quickly fried with lots of seasoning. Simple stuff for this simple man, The chips were excellent. Thin, brittle and immersed in good hot fat for a suitable period of time. I'm a lover of the big fat English chip but when a French fry is done this well it makes me wonder if Brexit may have been a mistake. The chicken and tarragon pie was a mess. This is the provincial French fare I remember so, um, fondly from my trips to see mum. Her eventual demise had one welcome upside inasmuch as I never have to face another boil in the bag confit duck horror show as long as I live. It really is a poor show food-wise out there right now unless you live in a city and even then it's slim pickings. This dish didn't disappoint in terms of authenticity. Leather-like pastry eventually giving way to dry chicken mush inside. There was a small jug of Dubbin for the purpose of lubrication but it only added to the sense that this dish had been lying around for some time before a quick tap tap ping. The mash potato accompaniment was even worse. Where they were trying to replicate the Robuchon butter heaven, sans butter,, what was delivered looked and felt like glue paste. Luckily it didn't taste of that, it tasted of nothing at all. And it had a skin on it. Something you had to break through to get to the warm bit. A complete disaster. I grabbed my pomme frites seven at a time as jealous eyes wandered towards the basket. That the same root vegetable could render two such contrasting end results seems almost impossible but there you go. I wondered why this cute little place couldn't just boil the potato, mash it, add a little milk, butter and salt, possibly some parsley and be happy with the result. It's hard to beat. Their efforts to do something more complex left us with wallpaper paste. Aside leather shoe with dry chicken mush. And gloop. The French beans looked sad. Well wouldn't you? A wonderfully authentic experience in some ways. A disappointingly authentic experience in others. Say Lavvy.

I loved this place. It was very cute. Good food and Amazing customer service…read more The owner came out spoke with us, & made sure everything was fine, he even brought me extra small deserts cakes because I loved the one I ordered so much. Ordered the Steak & Frites , presented Beauty. However, it unfortunately lacked seasoning, & or salt. May just be my personal preference. However the ambiance was magnificent. Very airy, small boutique feel, definitely has a French cafe vibe that I love.