Superb french bistro (Chez la Vie (Harrogate))

Member Name: degsy70

Product:	Chez la Vie (Harrogate)
Date:	16/04/09 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Food, early bird menu

Disadvantages: Can be rushed if busy

Chez la vie is and has been for many years a very popular restaurant in Harrogate. It's success and popularity is proven by the fact that it recently was extended to cater for more diners. Situated in the town centre it is the only french restaurant of any note in the area (Café Rouge being the other - don't get me started on them!). For those of you that have read my other reviews I can tell you that the décor and atmosphere is very akin to William and Victorias wine bar, in fact a lot of the staff have been known to have worked in both places at some point in time.
The food is normally excellent, we tend to go for the early bird dinner which is 2 courses for £11, I adore their fishcakes with hollondaise starter, my partner adores their very stodgy french onion soup (almost a meal in itself!) followed by a decent size rump steak with french fries. The key to the early bird is to stick to 2 courses and try and have soft drinks otherwise before you know it your bill is quite steep in which case you may as well have gone out for proper dinner! We tend to dine very well and come out under £30. I have heard stories of people being rushed i.e. their mains arriving as soon as their starters have finished but I guess that's somewhat inevitable with an early bird menu, my tip is to get there early so that they don't pressure you for the table.
The a la carte menu is very good and plenty of fish/seafood to choose from.
I've only had one dish that I was unhappy with (measely bit of steak) but it was at a table of 20 + diners at a Xmas do and I couldn't be bothered to complain.
It does get very busy so I suggest you book in advance

Summary: See review