Rich Jevons samples the fine French cuisine at Le Bistro Pierre after some serious reviewing for The Stage at Harrogate Theatre for this year’s ever-popular panto.
Le Bistro Pierre is just nicely placed off the beaten track of Harrogate’s busy shopping centre and being on a first floor above the street makes it seem perfectly set away from the town’s hubbub whilst being ideal for a pre-theatre treat (Harrogate Theatre is a short walk away).
My host genially takes me to my window table (I’m dining alone today, awwww!) and am sampling the mouth-wateringly appetising Christmas lunch menu. There are five entrees to start from and I opt for the pan-fried fish cake with wilted spinach and Provencal sauce, and yes, the sauce takes me right back to my days as a film student in Grenoble with its rich flavours.
And it is the sauce of roasted garlic and green herbs butter that really sets off the grilled Scottish pasture-fed 21-day-aged rump steak. I asked for rare and it came just as I like it – what John Travolta in Pulp Fiction calls ‘bloody as hell’ although this is actually heavenly.
It comes with pommes frites which in hindsight I think I should really have changed for an accompaniment of lemon roast potatoes but the lovely black pepper roasted cauliflower more than makes up for this.
There is a selction of five desserts and a cheese board and I’m sticking to my sticky toffee pudding diet still. It works if you burn it off you know and if it doesn’t then it’s great fun trying.
The service is unfussy but attentive and my host is very knowledgeable about the menu. Despite there being a party at a nearby table there is a romantic feel and serves as a little piece of France in this idyllic spa town. It’s the perfect pre-theatre place for those who also love fine French food and has an incredibly comprehensive drinks menu too. The experience makes you feel like chirping ‘Joyeux Noel!’ to strangers, it’s really so sweetly enheartening.
And click here to read my review of Cinderella at the Harrogate Theatre.
And see http://lebistrotpierre.co.uk/christmas for menu details.