Latest favourites and wishlist by helenlewis

The Yellow House - review by yetta70

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:58:11 +0000

The Yellow House - review by yetta70

Rating: 5.0

Location: 37 Plough Way, SE16 2LS, London, United Kingdom

Excellent food at reasonable price. One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Menu changes on a weekly basis. Make sure you have one of the fantastic desserts.

Chez Bruce - review by herb

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:18:35 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by herb

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Tags: cheap eat

I choose Chez bruce at the as I thought it has ample area and the bar is really nice for my friends 30th birthday as well as being very central and easy for everyone to locate. There was about 20 of us and the area they reserved was tiny. On one of the hottest days of the year. The staff and service were lovely though and the nibbles I ordered really nice

Chez Bruce - review by hither

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:02:49 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by hither

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

This was the first Michelin starred restaurant which my husband and I had been to, and we certainly weren't disappointed.

We had an early evening booking on a bank holiday weekend, so weren't too crowded, but I imagine it could get a bit squashed when it's fully booked.

However, that would be my only negative - the food and the service were great. Every dish was absolutely lovely. I had fish and my husband had rabbit, and both were cooked to perfection. But the thing that we really talked about for weeks afterwards was the astonishing cheeseboard, which was huge and varied. It was tough to choose which ones to try, but the lady serving the cheese was very knowledgeable and really helped us to make the best selections.

We would definitely go again, given half a chance.

Chez Bruce - review by chrisp

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:50:50 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by chrisp

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Tags: romantic, good value, french

With more awards and accolades than you can shake a stick at, most recently London's Favourite Restaurant in Harden's Guide, Chez Bruce in Wandsworth is celebrating its umpteenth year as a destination restaurant, yet unbelievably still has only one Michelin Star. I've given up trying to work out what those Michelin people are on about these days - it was bad enough they rate dross like the Greyhound and Butcher and Grill in Battersea good enough to include and the Fox and Hounds not, but when a restaurant as polished and accomplished as Chez Bruce gets less than a top rating, they must be on a different planet.

So yes, I had a good meal at Chez Bruce. A quite brilliant meal in fact, as close to perfect across all categories as it's possible to get without it being one of those dreams where you wake up and find yourself hungrily chewing the corner of the pillow. After a slightly late start due to one of our party being stuck in traffic, just long enough to sample a glass of house champagne, we made our choices from the menu whilst munching down some of the best bread I've ever eaten - Poilane I was told - with superb butter. Staff balanced the service just right - not too intrusive but there when you needed them - and the wine selections made throughout the evening were very good.

The only thing I would say is that the room was quite dark, a little on the stuffy side and slightly cramped so I occasionally got an elbow in the back of the head when the table behind were being served. But I'm nit-picking - for food of this standard I would have put up with much worse.

My starter of "Hot calf's brain and ham hock terrine with sauce gribiche, crisp potatoes and red wine" obviously caught my eye on the menu straight away. Always a sucker for exotic ingredients I am sometimes let down by the end product, but not so here - the meat was tender and tasty with a lovely little breaded nugget of what I think was more brain on top (so rich it was like fois gras). Accompanying was a little fried quails egg (OK slightly passe these days but I thought it was great), a superb red wine reduction and gorgeous crispy potatoes. A riot of colour, texture and flavour this was an absolute triumph of a dish and I would have it again and again if i could. Great stuff.

Next up, "Boned, stuffed quail with salad paysanne, shallot puree, calf's sweetbread and roasting juices". Interestingly (and delightfully), this dish was served on two plates: One, a moreish salad of fresh bacon and roasted veg (an unusual combination to be honest, but made for great texture contrasts) topped with a piece of sweetbread; the other a meticulously boned quail (kudos to the kitchen for such a skilled task) served on a lentilly red wine sauce and cooked to perfection. The flavours were rich and satisfying, the portion very generous and the crispy fried potato on top a further experiment with texture. You would not want more from any main course.

Finally, and only just unable to quite live up to the lofty heights of the previous courses, was "Orange and saffron panna cotta with bitter orange sorbet, olive oil, lemon and honey". My only other experience with olive oil used as a dessert with a disaster - a watermelon and olive oil palette cleanser I had been served in Claude Bosi's Hibiscus restaurant in Ludlow. Then it was salty and weird, a flavour clash that had everyone at the table even unable to take a second bite. Here though, the oil was the subtlest of overtones to a zingy and fresh fruit dessert, spiced with alcohol and tasting of summer. Topped with crispy chocolate lattice - those textures again - it melted in the mouth and rounded off the evening very well.

Had I had the appetite of a sumo wrestler I might have been tempted to try the impressive-looking cheesecourse. As it was however, despite being stuffed to the gills and thus probably physically unable to even get a small goat's cheese medallion down my neck, there's always the residual guilt of paying for cheeses I could pick up myself from Hamish Johnston for a fraction of the price (and would taste no different), so I passed.

The bill came to around Â£70 - I wouldn't have felt cheated if I'd paid twice that, as I would have done in Pied a Terre or The Square. So then, brilliant value, top notch cooking and a thoroughly enjoyable evening out. Plus the G1 bus whisked me home from just outside the restaurant to my front doorstep. What isn't there to like about Chez Bruce?

Chez Bruce - review by QueenB

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:03:34 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by QueenB

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Tags: romantic, special, british, family & home feel, good value, crowded, french

Chez Bruce puts fine dining in a league that doesnt need to be saved for one off special occassions due to its reasonably priced menu, great selection of wines and champagne, delicious cheese board - which I love! Yet, you still get that feeling that you're something just that little bit extra special.

The menu catered for everyone in my last group of 4, from starters to dessert! My warm onion tart was melt in the mouth and my partners hare starter was so rich and large enough it could of passed as a mains in most restaurants of this calibre! The cod and the lamb mains are making my mouth water just thinking about it...
The 'plate of chocolate' is a chocaholics heaven, though i'd opt for the cheeses anyday!!!
I honestly couldn't fault the food, and as a serious food lover who eats out atleast 2/3 times a week that is good!!!

With 2 bottles of chablis, 4 x 3 course meal, water and tip, it came to a grand total of Â£220. Show me somewhere in London you can get a meal of that quality and lovely service - it amazes me!

My only problem with Chez Bruce is how quickly it books in advance and how small it can feel on very busy nights - though that just adds to the charming atmosphere.
I saw someone else on here commented on about all the Yuppie type people but its not always like that, I've always found you get a mixed crowd.

Chez Bruce - review by FluffyRona

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:17:25 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by FluffyRona

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Tags: expensive, business, pretentious, crowded, brasserie

A fabulous room and genuinely impressive service make this a really special dining experience - not your run of the mill brasserie.

The food is imaginative, beautifully prepare and served with just the right level of attentiveness...but, and it's something that spoiled my visit, I can't bear eating in a room packed with people who are trying to outdo each other at every turn ("my range rover's bigger than your range rover", etc etc). I know its a symptom of where the restaurant is, but the introduction of some subtle background music or spreading the tables out a bit more would ensure that everyone is not subjected to finding out exactly how special little Tarquin's music teacher thinks he is. Sorry!

Chez Bruce - review by gtisi

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:54:08 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by gtisi

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

A very fine place to dine. Well cooked, well presented food matched to an excellent wine list and not too pricey for a restaurant of this standard.

Chez Bruce - review by caffeinehit

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:25:09 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by caffeinehit

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Tags: Romantic, Business, Expensive, French

OK. So I said that River Cafe was one of the best places that I'd eaten in London, this would have to be one, if not the best places I've eaten.

The wine, food, atmopshere - everything was perfect. I have been meaning to go back since I went but just haven't got round to it.

Amazing food.

The Yellow House - review by helenlewis

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:56:19 +0000

The Yellow House - review by helenlewis

Rating: 5.0

Location: 37 Plough Way, SE16 2LS, London, United Kingdom

Tags: italian, british, family & home feel, good value, romantic, lively

This is everything a neighbourhood restaurant should be - friendly, intimate and with a short (but stunning) menu.

The Yellow House is an Italian restaurant in SE16. Actually, it may be the ONLY restaurant in SE16, if you discount Arbuckle's and Pizza Hut.

The outside is a garish yellow (hence the name) but the inside is much more soothing, in reds and dark wood. There are probably less than 30 covers, and the place is full every night it opens (currently Wed PM - Sun brunch).

The menu is bijou: Half a dozen starters, half a dozen mains, and eight or so pizzas from the wood-fired oven. There are also usually several bits of paper floating round with a few specials on, plus the daily-changing dessert menu.

There's a similar scattiness about the wine list, which comes supplemented with a 'special wine list' and another bit of paper - presumably with really, really special wines on.

Luckily, the quality of the food makes all that wanton tree-destruction quirky, rather than irritating. On our last visit, the boyfriend and I had between us an oyster and asparagus soup; asparagus and parma ham with a satsuma hollandaise; entrecote and chips; venison with parsnip crisps; and an assiette of chocolate.

Of those, the only bum notes were the satsuma hollandaise (didn't taste of satasuma - and why would you want it to?) and the parsnip crisps, which I suspect are done to make the chef feel 'chef-y' rather than to enhance the dish.

Everything else was delightful, though, and it ill behoves me to carp because this is clearly the best restaurant for miles around and I'm almost supernaturally lucky to have it within bloated-staggering distance of my house.

Chez Bruce - review by helenlewis

Thu, 31 May 2007 13:28:39 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by helenlewis

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Tags: lively, summery, michelin star, family & home feel, good value, traditional, french

Trust me, I'm a (reformed) restaurant critic - this is the best restaurant in London.

Yes, getting there is a bit of a performance (involving, horror of horrors, National Rail) but coming out of the train station at leafy Wandsworth Common feels like leaving grimy London far behind and stepping into a scene from a washing powder advert.

That impression continues when you walk into Chez Bruce as the decor is traditionally French, with acres of crisp white linen and judiciously placed mirrors giving the small dining room the impression of freshness and space.

Chez Bruce has a Michelin star, and rightly so. I've never had a bad dish here (and it's become me and my boyfriend's 'occasion restaurant') and the sommelier is charming, friendly and not in the least snooty, ensuring you can get the perfect glass (or bottle) of wine to match your food.

Highlights from the last meal I had there include the foie gras with brioche (a staple of the starter menu), served with a glass of dessert wine and the perfectly-cooked entrecote and chips.

Chez Bruce is so good that I almost don't want to tell anyone else about it; it's hard enough getting a table there as it is.

Chez Bruce - review by TimMancs

Mon, 28 May 2007 20:15:01 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by TimMancs

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

What more can be said - I'd just echo what the 3 other reviewers have said. Absolutely perfect place blending fantastic food with a laid back atmosphere and perfect service - and yes the wine guy was great. Took three friends here as we all had brilliant food - my highlight was the plate of lamb - wonderful. Definately 10 out of 10.

Chez Bruce - review by freddie5540

Tue, 15 May 2007 18:31:40 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by freddie5540

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

This Michelin starred establishment rarely fails to deliver.

Situated opposite wansworth comman on the former site of the infamous Harvey's, Chez Bruce finds a good balance between great food and an unpretentious atmosphere. It has a highly detailed and well sourced wine list coupled with a friendly and helpful sommelier.

The food is always precise and balanced. Quail pithivier was the highlight of my last visit. Beautiful pastry and tender, flavouful quail served with a powerful shallot puree. From past visits I remember a fantastic 'deconstructed' Nicoise salad, Squab pigeon with foie gras and fillet of beef with oxtail crepinette. However the desserts have often dissappointed me, i had a particulary poor pannacotta once. I always opt for the fantastic cheese board nowadays, which is as good as any in london.

Chez Bruce is definately one of the best local restaurants in town.

Chez Bruce - review by wyahaw

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 00:17:17 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by wyahaw

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Tags: crowded, british

Perhaps the best restaurant in South London sounds like damning with faint praise, but it is not meant that way. Sister to La Trompette in Chiswick, the Glasshouse in Kew, the Ledbury in Notting Hill and the Square in Mayfair, Chez Bruce exudes the same professionalism and consistency as the others in the group do. This premises was originally Harveys, where Marco Pierre White cooked, and chef Bruce Poole has taken on the mantle and settled into his own style of cooking.

A star dish was quail pithivier with a red wine reduction and a puree of shallot, the quail tasty and the pastry delicate. Dishes were generally to a high standard throughout, and the prices are fair for the level of cooking here. They have packed in a lot more tables than in Marco's day, and they have applied for permission to expand into the shop next door. Getting a reservation here is the main problem.

Chez Bruce - review by sue

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 22:43:23 +0000

Chez Bruce - review by sue

Rating: 4.7

Location: 2 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8672 0114

Website: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Tags: romantic, michelin star, international, expensive, french

Chez Bruce is a Michelin starred restaurant located opposite Wandsworth Common, in southwest London. Although not in the most convenient location, it is well worth the trip. Not only known for its excellent food, the restaurant somehow manages to maintain a very relaxed, though stylish atmosphere, whilst still having very professional service. When we dined there, staff were very friendly and helpful, particularly the Aussie sommelier who recommended some excellent wines to accompany our meal.

Dining at Chez Bruce consists of a 3 course meal, which is a set price of £37.50 per head (March 2007). The highlights of our meal were, to start, the Ceviche of tuna with king prawn tempura, pine nuts, lime and coriander - it just melted in your mouth!

Main course standouts were the Breast of Guinea Fowl with braised bacon, salsify, celeriac puree and tarragon and the Shetland salmon with scallop and crab boudin, mussels, beurre blanc and samphire. Desserts were great too, with the creamy Crème brulée being the pick of the night.

It is such a great restaurant, I would highly recommend it for that special occasion, or a decadent dinner with friends.