Cheap and Cheerful (Bistro 1 (Covent Garden))

Member Name: glitter_princess

Product:	Bistro 1 (Covent Garden)
Date:	21/10/08 (153 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty food, bargain prices

Disadvantages: Patchy service, can get overcrowded

There are two things in this life that are guaranteed to make me smile: the first is great food and the second is getting a real bargain. Unfortunately living in London, I don't often get the opportunity to satisfy both of those fantasies in one go, but Bistro 1 lets me do just that, making me a very happy bunny.

Bistro 1 really is a hidden jewel amongst London restaurants - there are 3 different restaurants, 2 in Soho (one on Beak Street and the other on Frith Street) and one on Southampton Street in Covent Garden. All 3 of the restaurants are fairly small with tables squeezed quite tightly together, which means on the one hand there is always a real buzz to the place, at times it does get rather claustrophobic, especially in summer. The decor is cheap but cheerful, with candles on every table giving a cosy and relaxed feel.

But it's the menu where Bistro 1 really scores highly for me. The evening menu is fantastic - no a la carte menus here, it's 2 courses for £8.90 or 3 courses for £9.90 - I really don't think you can get a better deal than this in central London! The menu is full of great mediterranean food and you'd be hard pushed not to find something on it that makes your mouth water. There is a really good mix of fish, meat and vegetable dishes and even though I've been here numerous times, I've always had something different. When you sit down you get the traditional European olives and bread which whets the appetite nicely. For starters you could choose from smoked salmon and avocado salad, mixed meze (highly recommended), spicy chicken skewers, melon and berry coulis, smoked duck, deep-fried brie... I could go on! Main courses include Chicken with red wine sauce, Fillet of Salmon with creamed spinach and saffron cream, lamb with rice, moussaka, vegetarian moussaka. Desserts include tiramisu, banoffee pie, creme caramel, stuffed apricots or apple tarte. House wine is reasonable at £10.50 and they have a fairly standard wine list including all the usual suspects.

The food itself is really very good - real comfort food, simple and very tasty. Although it's clearly not gourmet food, the menu works well, with some great flavours. My favourite has to be the Sea Bream which comes on top of a huge portion of mashed potato and smoked salmon. Given the price I was worried they'd be very stingy with the smoked salmon but it was really generous and all three flavours work really well together. I'd also recommend the salmon with creamed spinach - very rich, but perfect for comfort food on a winter evening. Starters can be more hit and miss - I really enjoyed the smoked salmon and avocado but found the mozzarella and basil salad rather disappointing. The mixed meze is always worth a try, giving you a mix of falafel, dolma (my favourite!), humous, tzatsiki and other tasty treats.

If I have to fault Bistro 1 at all, it would have to be on the service. While usually I can't complain about the service, there have been occasions where it has been very lacking (including once when we were shown to a table by the door and promptly forgotten about for half an hour, after which time we left, presumably unnoticed). Other times the waiters have been polite, friendly, efficient and provided really great service. Often we arrive and the restaurant is booked up, and the waiter will take our mobile number so that we can grab a drink in the pub opposite (The Sun and 13 Cantons), then he gives us a call when the table is ready - can't ask for much more than that!

Whether you'll like Bistro 1 really comes down to what kind of person you are - it's cheap and cheerful, so if you're a fairly relaxed person and happy to put up with a few minor faults such as patchy service and overcrowding given the bargain price, then you'll love it! On the other hand, it's not the place for a romantic date, as the buzzy atmosphere combined with the close tables might not give you that privacy you're looking for. It's also not really suitable if you have small children, as there isn't a childrens menu and there certainly isn't room to have them running around! I've been here for quick pre-theatre meals, meals with the boyfriend, meals with friends, with bigger parties for birthday meals, and its vibrant atmosphere is a hit every time. Highly recommended for a cheap, casual meal out.

For more information, a full menu and wine list, visit www.bistro1.co.uk

Summary: Small chain of reasonably priced restaurants based in central London