Bleeding Heart is located just off the main thoroughfare in a quiet cobbled courtyard. The main restaurant downstairs is decorated in the style of a library and serves a variety of opulent French cuisine. Upstairs is more of an informal surrounding serving traditional dishes from an A La Carte menu, all of which are complimented by an extensive wine list. Catering for private parties of up to 60 guests is available upon request and seating on the terrace area is provided, weather permitting.
Bleeding Heart
7 / 10 from 3 reviews
4 Bleeding Heart Yard
The City
London
EC1N 8SJ
020 7242 2056
French
The City
Monday - Friday:
Lunch: 12noon – 14.30
Evening: 18.00 – 22.30
Credit Cards Accepted
Booking Advisable
Bleeding Heart Picture Gallery
All In London Review
Where romance and tragic history combine
On the road – The Tavern Bar that serves food
To the left of the yard – A classic French bistro
To the right of the yard – A more formal restaurant with upper and lower levels
I have eaten in all three and the choice will depend on the formality of the occasion and your wallet. I have even attended a rather glamorous private dinner and dance in the magical, candle-lit crypt in adjoining Ely Place.
Yesterday, I met a business colleague in the bistro (to add to the confusion this is sometimes referred to as the brasserie). I walked across the charming cobbled yard and looked at the optimistic folk sitting at the al fresco tables (there were monsoon like rains shortly after!) and followed a group of elderly tourists.
The authentic French staff greeted me with a cheery “Bonjour” – so it’s a good place to practice your conversational French skills. I spied my colleague at the back of the room and weaved my way through the numerous tables. The tables are quite close together so you may have to speak in code if you have confidential business matters to discuss – the place is usually full of business folks at lunch time and yesterday was no exception. There’s a rather different feel to the place in the evening though.
For my starter I selected the Mousseline of Goats Cheese with roasted Baby Beets and a Hazelnut and Honey Dressing (£7.25). The mousseline was as creamy and light as expected the salad leaves were just enough – the beets were firm and cool and the dressing and nuts proved excellent accompaniments. My colleague opted for the Smoked Salmon Mimosa with Blinis (£7.95) which he ate whilst dipping into the basket of crusty bread that was provided.
I had spied the Seared Yellow Fin Tuna on a Salade Nicoise with Green Beans and Vine Tomatoes (£14.95) being eaten by the folks on a nearby table and it looked very good (a huge slab of tuna) and I was sorely tempted. But instead I choose the new season Asparagus and Pea Risotto With Pea Shoots and Pecorino (£11.95). A good, creamy risotto although I would have liked a little more pecorino cheese. My colleague opted for the Salmon and Cod Fish Cake with Spinach and Parsley Sauce (£10.25) which was absolutely huge. We had both ordered side dishes of Salade Verte (£2.95).
There is an extensive wine list – over 450. And the restaurant owns the acclaimed New Zealand vineyard Trinity Hill in Hawkes Bay, on the east coast of the North Island, in partnership with top New Zealand winemaker John Hancock.
But as it was a working lunch we had lots of sparkling mineral water although I did take a glass of the house wine – I was offered Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. The latter was excellent – properly chilled and light and a perfect match for my cheese themed meal. And I thought it a bargain at just £3.95 a glass.
There’s a lot of romantic and tragic history to the place – apparently, the yard takes its name from a 17th century beauty – Lady Elizabeth Hatton – who was found murdered there (possibly by a European ambassador) after a ball with her heart still pumping blood onto the courtyard. The place also gets a mention in Charles Dickens’ “Little Dorrit” and he also told a story of a young woman being imprisoned there by her father for remaining true to her lover. No wonder there were a few tourists amongst the business folk!
Reviewed by KimT
Published on Jul 12, 2012
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Despite the sinister name, inspired by the murder of Lady Hatton at the hands of her jealous lover, this French (what else) eatery was once voted the most romantic City restaurant by The Times. A hit with high fliers, critics and French foodies.
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Restaurant, bar and crypt, Bleeding Heart is a little of everything. Romance focuses firmly on the Crypt and since Henry VIII enjoyed a three-day wedding party here following his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, it definitely has all the right credentials – kind of. Whichever way you look at it, romance and history collide in the magnificent Crypt, a London landmark every couple should visit once.
User Reviews
from Abbey Road
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