Cote Bistro

Chain restaurants don’t usually receive a good press. However, with all the choice in Richmond this place gets the vote from both my teenage daughter and my 20 year old son – and I admit a fondness for the place as well.

It’s in the heart of Richmond town centre – just along from the bridge and the cinema which makes it very convenient. It’s a classic French bistro – but with a modern touch. The service is friendly and relaxed – but not slow. And the clientele varies throughout the day and the evening – sometimes there are mostly shoppers, other times it’s mostly a family affair (they seem rather tolerant of babies and toddlers) and in the evenings it’s the usual mix of couples and small groups.

We had a guest down from Birmingham and wanted good food in a relaxed environment. Both girls declined a starter at first but then decided that they would have the leave shaped garlic bread (fougasse £3.95) while my son tucked into a warming plate of vichyssoise soup (that’s potato and leek - £4.50) and I choose the chicken liver parfait (£5.95) which arrived in a tiny jar on a board with warmed brioche and a spiced apple chutney. There was too much for me to finish.

My daughter usually chooses the risotto vert (£9.95) which she says is almost as good as the one I make at home but on this occasion she selected cod goujons (£10.95). I was also in a fish mood and choose the haddock and salmon fishcakes (£9.95) with a side of fries (£2.95) which were presented in a dinky little metal bucket. The fishcakes were heavy on the fish which is a nice change from the potato stuffed offerings in some establishments.

Our guest selected the half Chargrilled ‘Breton’ Chicken (£9.95) with a provencale sauce (£1.50) and I am amazed that so much food could be devoured by such a slim and slight person! My son – being a protein freak – had a 10oz sirloin steak (£16.50) with a peppercorn sauce (£1.95) and a side of fries.

Whilst the adults washed this all down with a bottle of Macon Village (£24.50) which was nicely chilled and very drinkable, my daughter stuck to cola. They also provided cute little bottles of water throughout the meal.

Deliciously light chocolate mousse (£4.50), ice cream (£3.95), espresso (£1.95) and Calvados (£3.25) finished off our meal. The total for three courses for the four of us with wine plus service was £130.95 which isn’t cheap but I felt was reasonable value bearing in mind the quality of the food and service.

And I really like the ambience of the place – unlike some French establishments it is really friendly and the staff actually smile. This will remain a firm family favourite.