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Restaurant Review: Bistro Franc, Liverpool

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Bistro Franc – Bargain Basement

Bistro Franc Liverpool was thankfully not authentically French: staff welcomed guests with smiles, rather than complete disdain. The interior was stylishly designed, with absinthe green splashes and natural finishes throughout. Bisto Franc Liverpool tried too hard to mask it’s a chain, with so many modern accessories masquerading as antique; however, they created a fun, unique impression – especially the novel lavatories.

Bistro Franc Liverpool provided outstanding value via Le Pre Théâtre Menu; although the selection was predictably limited, options were perfectly choosable. They also provide generously long Le Lunch Rapide hours, as well as weekly Sunday and Monday (for students) Wine & Dine Menus, giving you no excuses to not make a booking.

The flavours of the pea and pancetta soup worked together admirably: the pleasing saltiness of the meat with the starchiness of the vegetables was comforting. Likewise, the smoked pâté, was creamy but light and slightly citrusy, in other words – delicious. The Chilean Sauvignon Blanc was a major disappointment, being too acidic and tasting of nothing but passion fruit; perfectly drinkable, but with little character. The ‘Poulet Forestier’ was succulent, the thick sauce too sour, and the generously-portioned, perfectly cooked vegetables fresh. Some sort of citrus tart for dessert was tasty, but a little dry, and finally the cheese was inoffensive but not proudly French.

Bistro Franc Liverpool’s service was excellent throughout, with well-presented, spritely servers producing everything efficiently. However, two minor points of improvement would be to proactively advise the Soup of the Day and explain what constituted the cheeseboard.

Although there were some issues with Bistro Franc Liverpool’s food, at this price point one shouldn’t complain. There was also some proper grown up dishes on offer, along with plenty of Scouse banter.

Bistro Franc Liverpool Review Summary

Atmosphere 8/10    Cost 10/10    Quality 5/10    Service 9/10

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Restaurant Review: Kebabish Original, Preston

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Kebabish Original – The Thrill of the Grill

I’m unaware of any unoriginal Kebabish joints, but Kebabish Original enticed me through its strap line alone. I imagined “the thrill of the grill” would either be comically terrible or awesome – it turned out to be neither.

Some money had been clearly spent; Kebabish is thankfully playing a small part in gentrifying the London Road area. First impressions were that Kebabish Original was spacious and tastefully decorated in a contemporary manner. Kebabish Original managed to avoid the tacky pink neon, that every Prestonian Indian restaurant feels bizarrely obliged to provide. I could have done without the hospital canteen style laminate numbered tables, but overall the theme worked.

The big issue was that nobody else was there (at 6:20 pm on a Thursday). Walking into the large, empty dining room, my eyes met a  vacant looking chef from the open kitchen fifty metres away. Cracking a poppadum only to hear it reverberate around the room was a little disconcerting. A few diners did trickle in, but I was ever conscious of my whispered chatter echoing around. Service was friendly but laboured along without a surplus of rapport, despite few other customers.

However, the food was surprisingly good and offered excellent value for money. At Kebabish’s budget price point, the starters were some of the best, not just from an Asian restaurant, but from any Preston restaurant.

The Paneer Pakoras were not greasy and just plain delicious, proving that vegetarian dishes should not be just for vegetarians; I’d seldom eaten something so tasty for under £3. Similarly, the depth of flavour to Lamb Tikka was quite frankly incredible: the meat was well grilled, generously portioned and mouth-watering.

For mains, the Chicken Balti was the archetypal Balti – just as expected and very much enjoyed. The Chicken Madras was a vibrant red without being radioactively luminous. Those demanding their chilli fix will need to be bolder, as it was relatively mild and not terribly exciting. Finally, the Peshwari Naan was a little greasy, but was certainly fresh and not tooth-meltingly sweet

Be warned: no alcohol is served on site. I respect the cultural context behind this, but washing a Madras down with J20s is immoral in itself. With zero wine pairings available, Kebabish was disadvantaged against competing restaurants, aligning itself more to sit-in takeaways. That said, diners are welcome to bring their alcohol and their lovely Mango Lassies deliciously refreshing.

Kebabish Original got the hardest parts of any business, price and quality, commendable under control – I hope a few more visitors arrive to improve the atmosphere.

Kebabish Original Review Summary

Atmosphere 3/10    Cost 9/10    Quality 8/10    Service 5/10

Restaurant Review Kebabish Original Curry Preston
Peshwari Naan
Restaurant Review Kebabish Original Curry Preston
Paneer Pakora
Restaurant Review Kebabish Original Curry Preston
Lamb Tikka
Restaurant Review Kebabish Original Curry Preston
Chicken Madras
Restaurant Review Kebabish Original Curry Preston
Chicken Balti

*Since this review was first published, Kebabish Original is unfortunately no longer with us – hence the lack of link*

Restaurant Review: The White Bull, Preston

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Good Pub Grub In Alston

The White Bull Alston was well stocked with pleasant, rosy-cheeked staff; friendly in that uniquely rustic manner. One amicably escorted me a pleasingly thick wooden table with shiny cutlery, set in a tasteful aubergine dining room. The perimeter was lined with multi-coloured wine bottles, reminiscent of undergraduates (and alcoholics), proudly paraded bottles on window ledges, like the Last of the Summer Wine gang lived there ironically with The Young Ones.

I opted for The White Bull Alston’s thrifty Set Menu, providing two courses for a very reasonable £10.95. The options were unsurprisingly severely restricted from an otherwise extensive menu; in London, £10.95 gets you a pint and packet of McCoy’s – I was grateful regardless. The White Bull Alston’s menu focused on British cuisine, being mostly very safe but perfectly appetising. The extensive wine list wasn’t extortionate, but I went down the real ale avenue of refreshment anyway.

To start, the curious ‘Curried Parsnip and Banana Soup’, promptly arrived with a hunk of wholemeal bread on steroids, with a slab of salty butter. Unless insane, you won’t often eat parsnips and bananas; but, you should. The piping hot murky soup looked like harbouring pond life; fortunately, it was heartily seasoned, and the earthy and exotic balance of flavours were well executed. I became conscious of eating tropical baby food; however, apparently variety is the spice of life, and the steaming soup stirred the senses that winter evening.

For mains, I got ideas above my station and ordered a bowl of mussels in parsley and cream sauce. A generously sized bowl arrived without delay; although, I was forced to confiscate an adjacent table’s spoon. The mussels were fresh, having the good grace to arrive akimbo; but, cried out for some carbohydrate-based life partner. Mercifully, I covertly stole my partner’s chips without regret, allowed me to consume the delicious, otherwise wasted, buttery sauce.

 Give it a try.

The White Bull Review Summary

Atmosphere 7  Cost 10  Quality 7  Service 8

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