Bistrot Pierre, Ilkley - New Autumn Menu

When you are in France generally you know you are going to get a good meal: lunches seem to go on forever and there never seems to be any rush to leave. The burger chains have made a big impact on the restaurant scene over there (France is McDonalds biggest market outside of America) but it is good to see that the traditional French restaurant is still thriving.

Bistrot Pierre have tried to replicate the French atmosphere and standard of service and food in their restaurants. The Ilkley restaurant looks like a stand alone restaurant and I would never have guessed it was part of a chain.

Out visit was on an early Wednesday night and the restaurant was busy with a mix of age groups, not surprising when there is the new autumn evening prix fixe menu costing just £15.95 for 2 courses. There is a bar next door and also a hotel above the restaurant.

Every Wednesday they have the Steak Soirée where you can have a 21 day aged pasture fed Scottish steak along with Creme brûlée with prices ranging from £12.00 to £20.00.

The menu is very French but I got the feeling that it had been tweaked to British tastes.

The Mini chorizos I chose as an appetiser tasted like they had come from the local Boucher. Strong in taste with a real kick it was a fine start to the meal.

My Salade de saison was fresh and had just the right amount of Le Saint Flour Bleu cheese so as not to disguise the taste of the poached pear, roasted walnuts and honey and grain mustard dressing.

Choose carefully as the portions are very big. New on the autumn menu is the Permentier Maison - basically it is the French version of our own shepherds pie. Ground beef and smoked bacon topped with pomme purée. I decided upon pomes frites as a side, but really didn't need them as the main is big enough to share if you wanted. It was excellent and very wholesome. Consume with moderation as they say in France!

My partner chose the Fillet steak from the A la carte menu. The steak was cooked perfectly and was said to be one of the best she had tasted. Priced at £19.95 it seemed good value.

Whilst there was no Tarte aux Pommes on the dessert menu there was Crumble Anglais which again is new addition on the menu. At £5.95 it was a pure delight, not too sweet but very crumbly.

My partner chose the Frangipane - warm baked apple and pear frangipane with vanilla creme fraiche and toasted pistachios. It must have been good as she ate it all which says everything. Delicate and light it could have come direct from the local patisserie.

Service was quick, friendly with just about the right amount of time between courses. It is somewhere we would return to again.

Tres Bon as they say in France.

Bistrot Pierre, Brook Street, Ilkley LS29 8DG
Telephone 01943 811250
www.bistrotpierre.co.uk