Bistrot Pierre, a French-themed restaurant, has branches across the country, and the Birmingham restaurant is set alongside one of the many canals that run through the city. In summertime the outside seating area provides an ideal dining spot and whilst Birmingham is not Bordeaux, the food and ambience at Bistrot Pierre is as good as any French restaurant I have visited from Calais to Cannes.
A rainy and dismal winter’s night in Birmingham is probably not the place in the world to be in. Thankfully, the mood changed as soon as we stepped into Bistrot Pierre in the city centre. The atmosphere was convivial and the restaurant was extremely busy – many of our fellow diners were enjoying a pre-theatre meal before venturing out into the cold on their way to be entertained.
Gorgeous Gallic gastronomy
Being a lover of French bread, I decided upon the Bread Board (£3.95) as a starter, the rustic sourdough baguette served with Maldon sea salt and whipped butter was passable, but lacking that crustiness and taste of a ‘proper’ baguette from a boulangerie in France. My partner decided upon the hummus (£4.25) which came with clay-baked flat bread and tasted very nutty with a dash of garlic.
Popular mains include Fishcake Niçoise (£13.95), Steak Frites (£14.50) and Poulet Toti (£17.25), amongst other French-inspired dishes. I decided upon the 8oz rump steak, which was very rich in flavour, firm in texture and cooked to my liking. The pommes frites accompanying the steak were crisp, hot and tasted as good as any I have eaten in France.
My partner’s Chicken Normandy (£16.95): a fine piece of chicken breast, Toulouse sausage, caramelised apples, dauphinoise potatoes, crispy onions, sage and greens all served with an apple and wine jus. While the chicken could have been slightly crispier the meal was still enjoyable.
The Fromage du Jour (£7.95) contained a very un-French Cheddar, Brie and Camembert which seemed rather too safe for my tastebuds, but the warm Plum and Apple Tart (£6.75) seemed more appropriate to the weather conditions. It did not disappoint either with a sweet and satisfying taste. My partner thought that her Paris-Brest tart (£8.25) had authentic pastry very similar to those bought in a French pâtisserie.
The wine list as you might expect includes a selection of red, rose and white wines including a dry and zingy Riesling (£32.95 a bottle).
Au revoir …
On the second and fourth Tuesday of every month the restaurant holds a Soirée Gastronomique, where a six-course menu is priced at £25.95 per person. Alternatively, there is the Menu Pierre, served all day Sunday to Friday and Saturdays until 5pm with two courses priced at £17.95 or three courses for £20.95.
Service was attentive and not obtrusive, and the restaurant is one we would return to. Très bien, as they say in France.
Bistrot Pierre 46 Gas Street, Birmingham 1 2JT
Prices were correct at the time of writing.
