LE BISTROT PIERRE | FOOD REVIEW
The Old Brewery Quarter, Caroline Street, Cardiff. 029 2034 5990 / www.lebistrotpierre.co.uk
Heading to Le Bistrot Pierre I was expecting a fairly decent meal, though nothing too special from what I perceived to be another chain restaurant in the Brewery Quarter. From the moment I arrived, however, I was proved wrong. As we went inside we were greeted by friendly and helpful staff who were quick to offer us water and nibbles (subtly sweet and spicy honey-glazed chorizo, £3.50) while we browsed the menu. If you’re looking for a nice meal for less then there is a six-course set menu, which includes rump steak as one of its choices, for just £22.95 per person. Tonight, however, we decided to make our own choices and picked from the a la carte menu.
For mains my partner devoured an exquisitely balanced and subtle creamy roasted cod fillet with crayfish (filet de morue aux écrevisses, £14.95). My choice of main, the shoulder of lamb with a garlic butter crust served on a bacon and bean stew (agneau au cassoulet, £15.25), was not quite as good as my meat wasn’t as rare as I would expect.
The deserts, however, were the highlight of the meal. Le Bistrot Pierre have a crème brûlée flavour of the day, which is both fun to eat and fun to say. I decided to go for the selection of mini desserts (café gourmand, £5.95), and was given four petite treats including a crisp and creamy lemon tart, a sweet and flaky apple pastry, an absolutely perfect raspberry sorbet (covered in crumbled biscuit) and mouthwateringly soft and saucy chocolate sponge cake.
Overall I was very impressed with Le Bistrot Pierre; my only hope is that on my next visit I won’t horribly mispronounce everything I order.
words HEATHER ARNOLD