Gmbklm's review of Galvin Bistrot de Luxe

Our meal in October 09 was our 7th or 8th in the last 2 years. We particularly like Saturday lunch or Sunday dinner. There are still very few alternatives in London for good food on a Sunday evening. As previously, the restaurant was very busy. Prices are fair, but despite its name, I'm no longer sure that they are really Bistro level, especially a la carte.

We like the relaxed bistro / brasserie style décor and atmosphere, the predictable French classics menu and the reliably good quality food – which can sometimes be really very good, with very good taste and flavour. Very rarely bad.

Service is generally efficient and pleasant, but in my view has always been its weakest link – very inconsistent. On this occasion, it was not so good. The incorrect dish was delivered, but the waitress struggled to do that very simple basic thing – apologise – or in a very good restaurant, to simply remove all the other diners plates and to start again with fresh servings. Instead, she reacted by emptying the wine bottle into a glass, together with the sediment. Some basic waiter training appeared to be missing, since there was a lot of reaching across the table and fellow diners in order to deliver or collect dishes, rather than simply walking around the table.

Overall, still a very reliable venue, and one of my favourite French restaurants in London. It is nicely situated away from the main throng of tourists at the northern and southern ends of Baker St. Better service would take it to the next level, but I think mgt is pre-occupied with other ventures.