Not sure where to start with this review - let's start with the reception and then follow on with…read morethe food...
I went round a few days ago to book for last night, it being our anniversary. Everyone was very friendly. I said it was our anniversary and we didn't want to be sitting near the door if that was OK
The front room is left to right and has the bar in front of you (see Yelp site photo of the bar which you will see is curved); the back room is oblong to the right of the bar
On arrival we were placed - squeezed - into the corner left of the bar and another occupied table...the table is small, and there is very little room especially as the coats were to supposed be behind one of the seats...they wanted to take the coats to the vestiaire but there was no room to put phone, wallet etc on the table...not happy
When asked if that was OK I said no, I do not want to be squeezed into a corner...the waitress came back a few minutes later to say they would move us to the other room. Good, thank you...but you could see they were not happy as they took a table for four really (?), took away 2 covers and moved it round so we could sit opposite one another in the centre. They made a show of moving two other tables around to rework the room. But that was much better
They asked at the outset what we would like for dessert and we said we would see once we had finished our main course. At the end of the main course, they asked again and we said let's wait a few minutes to drink our wine and let the meal go down. They came again and asked a few minutes later, so we gave them our choice, saying not yet though; we will tell you when we are ready. Nevertheless, the food turned up. Irritating, but clearly they were not concerned. If they wanted the table, that's tough - they are not running sittings! And if they are they need to say...it put us off staying for an after dinner drink
The waiters were friendly but the boss - I guess - was no smiley face throughout
So from that perspective - attitude, listening to the client etc - not the best; indeed annoying
OK the food....
I chose the steak in a green pepper sauce with grenaille potatoes (€5 extra) and asked for a point plus just a little more as I don't mind pink but I don't like it bloody. Superb!!! Taste, quality, cooking, the sauce. Truly an excellent course and at €24 all in, was tremendous value
My partner had the cote de porc with garlic and asked for the potatoes rather than the Brussels sprout purée . It was presented with the main meat cut out, sliced and placed back on the chop. Unusual but why not - and again it was excellent
I had the cheese plate. Three pieces of great cheese and, for once, none showing the tell tale chalky signs of sitting in the fridge. Good bread too. My partner had the mi-cuit with a crème a rhum....the rum taste was too strong but the mi-cuit was good. Nice strong but smooth double espresso
So where does all the above leave us? Great food, odd reception. Come again? Well I think the answer is yes though its not obvious...guess we give them the benefit of the doubt. A Tuesday night and it was full, so something brings people back and that was a brilliant steak...the best this past 12 months with the exception of the one at The Pig in the Forest which was truly historic as Micheal Winner used to say
Photo to follow