Bouchon Fourchette

Described as an unlikely outpost of fine French food, Bouchon Fourchette sits between Mare Street stalwarts The Dolphin and Tre Viet and is the lovechild of Jeremy Huguet. Opening in March, I've only just got round to checking it out - shameful seeing as it's less than a ten minute walk from my house.

Monday night is perhaps not the most obvious of nights to eat out on, so it came as no surprise that we were the only people in there (until two other tables who made an appearance later). We picked the largest table and were given full attention by the two friendly front-of-house staff. Clipboard menus are divided into 'apero', 'mains', 'boards' (for two to share) and 'sides'. We knew what we both wanted for mains but after a lot of debate settled on the rillettes (£4) and saucisson (£3.50) to start. Hugely generous portions with plenty of fresh, thinly sliced baguette, we made a great choice.

We moved on to steak tartare frites (£11) - raw steak, roughly handchopped and seasoned with capers, worcestershire sauce, pepper (tabasco to taste), topped with a raw egg. Not one for the faint-hearted but this is one of the best I've ever tasted (Bistrotheque down the road do a mean one too) and the chips were perfectly seasoned and served in a brown paper bag.

We shared a bottle of the merlot and passed on the desserts (far too full!). Service was attentive but not intrusive, food was served on lovely wooden boards and the restaurant itself was staunchly bistro. Simple, classic French food done well (I was very tempted by the baked camembert to share), the prices here are ridiculously good (see above) and I'm definitely planning to return with friends. Bouchon Fourchette gets four out of five (because of the Monday vibe meant things were a little quiet!)