Food. What can I say? I really like food and I really like eating out. I’m always quizzing friends and colleagues on where they’ve eaten recently, looking for recommendations and then finding an excuse to go and investigate gastronomical offerings – though it gets a little harder when pay day is further than the horizon!
Bistro Franc, situated over on the corner of Hanover
Street near the back corner of Liverpool One (The
Lewis’ end) was recommended to me, specifically their Le Pre-Théâtre menu. This is a fantastic
deal that really lets you experience the restaurant and what they offer for a
fantastic price – 3 courses for £11.95pp (drinks not included). The menu is
limited but they really do have something for everyone. I never struggle to
find something and have had something different each time I’ve visited too. This
menu and offer are available everyday from 4.30pm – 7pm, and until 6.30pm Fridays and Saturdays. One Sunday’s there is a
roast dinner option too. The timings are perfect but it does mean come around
5.30 it really starts to pick up as people want to get in before the offer ends
to if you’re going after that time, especially over the weekend, you might want
to book a table!
The restaurant itself is just stunning. It has a wonderfully relaxed,
dim-lighted atmosphere, wooden furniture, French prints on the walls, wrought
iron work and candles in wine bottles. It’s so rustic and charming, a perfect
place for date night or catch up with friends. I’ve noticed a lot of families gathering
here too for birthdays and celebrations. I know some people who would steer-clear
of a more family friendly location but if you are looking for something a
little more intimate then ask for a table at the back or upstairs – it’s French,
and anything French is romantic if you ask me!
I apologise in advance for the extremely dark photos! The lighting is really low in here and flash really distorted the images!
I apologise in advance for the extremely dark photos! The lighting is really low in here and flash really distorted the images!
For my starter I went with the pan fried mushrooms with sage
butter, served on a garlic croûte with side salad and balsamic dressing. It was absolutely
delicious. I love mushrooms and these where friend up to perfect, so soft and
buttery but full of flavor. When mixed with the aged balsamic dressing they
just tasted wonderful. I could have ate twice as much as they plated up for me,
but as a starter this was a perfectly sized portion. The Man got himself grilled
mackerel fillet, served with a fresh beetroot, caper and balsamic salsa
and side salad. It was only after ordering that he told me he has never tried mackerel...or
beetroot before! The mackerel was wonderful, not dry and went well with the
mixed salad and beetroot – it’s not like him to clear a plate but he enjoyed it
so much that nothing was left behind!
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Entrecôte Diane |
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vegetable side skillet |
Main
For mains, we both ordered the ‘Entrecôte Diane’, a beef sirloin steak in
a mushroom, brandy and mustard sauce. (Note, steak is an additional £2.95). All
the mains come with a side of new potatoes, dauphinois potatoes, carrots,
broccoli, shredded red cabbage and cauliflower. I absolutely love the side of
vegetables they serves with all the mains! I ordered my steak medium well, Man
ordered his medium rare ad both came out perfect. I have this insane phobia of
my steak oozing anything blood colored related and although this was a light pink
on the inside, there was nothing untoward oozing out whenever I cut through it.
It tastes amazing and the sauce complemented it so well. The sauce and the dauphinois
potatoes where amazing together, I could have happily eaten a bowl of just
that!
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crème brûlée |
Dessert
We both ordered the crème brûlée – I’ve never actually ordered one before
and it’s Mans all time favorite dessert. From our table we could see them blow-torching
the top of the dessert too. Not knowing what to expect, I took much delight in
cracking the caramelized topping of my dessert, reveling the gooeyness
underneath. It was strange for me to have a dessert that didn’t actually involve
cake of any kind! It was lovely, not too rich or creamy and just the right
amount to finish the meal off, any more and I doubt I could have finished it. I
won’t lie, I wish my tiny strawberry was a little bigger, I think a small
selection of mixed berries on the side would be a perfect addition to this dish.
Our server was great, every dish came out fresh and hot from the kitchen
and there was just the right amount of time between dishes. It was really busy
the evening we went but we had no problem getting our servers attention for
anything.
Bistro Francs has 2 sister restaurants around the city centre that I’m
eager to try, though I’m sure they all offer the same menu and special offers. I
really want to try their lunch menu (3 courses for £9.75) and their Christmas
2013 set menus are just as well priced with an array of festive offerings.
I would happily eat here again! If you’re in Liverpool over this festive season
doing your Christmas shopping or celebrating the holidays I’d recommend you
stop by!
Have you eaten at Bistro Franc or one of it’s sister restaurants?
Thoughts?
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