The French Bistro

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Address

3 Kitchener St
Martinborough
Region: Wairarapa
Licence: Fully Licensed
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Contact

Phone: 06 306 8863

Overall DineOut Score based on 14 reviews

Total		7.0
Food		7.0
Dessert		7.2
Presentation		7.1
Service		6.7
Environment		7.0
Toilets		6.3

Review by: Jaffa (5) on 10th May 2010

Total		4.9
Food		3
Dessert		9
Presentation		5
Service		3
Environment		4
Toilets		N/A

Our night out here recently was an expensive disappointment. I have to agree with the reviewers who talk about the very poor value for money and somewhat offhand service. While the desserts were truly superb and generously sized, the mains were mediocre and small; the by-the-glass wine options were limited and exorbitantly priced.

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Review by: Sejie (59) on 12th April 2010

Total		4.9
Food		6
Dessert		4
Presentation		6
Service		3
Environment		5
Toilets		5

We visited here a few weekends ago while staying in Martinborough. Unfortunately I have to report that we were not overly impressed. The place was very busy and fairly noisy but we didn't mind this - quite a nice ambience even. One of the mains was the vegetarian spaghetti which was literally oil, herbs and cherry tomatoes (I think I counted 3!!) and spaghetti. Having had this sort of dish many times before I know you can make it taste far less bland that this dish! The food was quite overpriced for what you got (in both flavour and size). The service was very innattentive - I know they were busy but we practically had to grab someone to be able to order dessert!
Overall we were very disappointed and will not be recommending to anyone - there are far better places in the Wairarapa and Wellington to get a fantastic meal.

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Review by: Chunky Trooper (4) on 8th October 2009

Total		6.9
Food		7
Dessert		8
Presentation		6
Service		7
Environment		6
Toilets		4

We came here to celebrate our engagement, so were really looking forward to enjoying what seemed like one of the best restaurants in Martinborough. It was by no means terrible, but I expected it to be a lot better, especially for the price. We arrived at 7.15pm and the lights were far too bright. Throughout the night they were periodically dimmed which made it a lot more cosy. The service was efficient and unrushed, but not that friendly.
My partner started with the squid which was nice, but was essentially fancy calamari. My quail was delicious and generously proportioned. It was served on a pomegranate polenta which was great, and not the sort of thing you’d make yourself! We had the house pinot, from a ‘top secret vineyard’, which prints its details on the cork – not so secret! It was very nice though.
For mains I had the duck a l’orange, which was ok. It was listed as ‘crispy skinned’ but came out a bit soggy. The mash and broccoli were uninspired. For a French restaurant I thought they should have nailed this dish, especially for $40, but alas they didn’t!
My partner had the crumbed veal which was very nice, and came with a nice salad.
Desserts were the crepes suzette and the rhubarb tart, which were both so good we couldn’t decide who won!
If there was a ‘value-for-money’ option The French Bistro would score a 4. The food is nice, but not worth the money (except the desserts). We were both full, but a little unsatisfied.

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Review by: HokeyPokey [DineOut VIP] (79) on 27th July 2009

Total		8.0
Food		8
Dessert		8
Presentation		7
Service		9
Environment		8
Toilets		7

We were greeted by one of the waitresses opening the door for us, which was a nice touch. And we got the chance to select the table which we sat at. We were recommended a lovely wine (Kusuda syrah) by the manager. I chose the quail for entree and my wife chose the squid. The quail seemed overcooked but the squid was deliciously tender. It was a very good serving size too, and came with a thick aioli dip. I had the pasta with mushroom sauce, which was tastier than my wife's crumbed lamb chops. I also had the cudos of ordering the better desert too. I selected the crepes suzette while my wife had the rhubarb tart. The crepes looked and tasted great but the tart was plain in comparison (i.e. the tart was akin to something your grandma would serve you but the crepes would be something your lover would serve). Overall, we had a great night out.

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Review by: Foodiefoodie [DineOut VIP] (228) on 5th April 2009

Total		6.9
Food		7
Dessert		7
Presentation		7
Service		7
Environment		6
Toilets		6

Made reservations at this restaurant well in advance and it was a good move because they were turning away several couples while we were there. I had great expectations because of the 2008 Cuisine award they won last year. The tables were a bit too close to each other to the point that the lady behind me had to hit my seat to squeeze in to hers. The food was not spectacular.

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Review by: jenny13 (1) on 23rd March 2009

Total		6.0
Food		7
Dessert		7
Presentation		7
Service		3
Environment		4
Toilets		4

The food was delicious...but!!!
Expensive.
Small portions
Nothing at all 'French' about the place.
At 9pm while we were waiting for dessert, the staff started cleaning up using very strong disinfectant, which meant that the cafe smelt like a toilet which was totally unacceptable.
Couldn't recommend this Bistro to anyone, the opposite in fact. Much better elsewhere in Martinborough.
We will not be back.

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Review by: sydney (1) on 23rd March 2009

Total		4.1
Food		4
Dessert		4
Presentation		4
Service		3
Environment		4
Toilets		8

Have wanted to go to French Bistro for a long time. Four of us went for dinner on 20th March. The food was lovely but totally overpriced - an entree of whitebait fritter was $28. Menu says that main courses are served with potatoes and seasonal vegetables (main courses approx $39) - we received three tiny half potatoes and about 5 green beans!!!
At the end of the night when the restaurant was emptying the staff sprayed the empty tables with the most pungeant cleaner which we could smell whilst eating our desserts. One leaving the restaurant we met the manager (I expect it was Jim Campbell), when we said to him that the meal was totally overpriced, he shouted at us that is was the Best Casual Restaurant in New Zealand. He then stormed off with his parting shot being 'and you got free bread'. Big deal when the meal for 4 was $380. Don't bother with this restaurant. We definitely will NOT be back.

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