Harden's says
A first solo venture from Freddy Bird (formerly of the Bristol Lido), "littlefrench" serves "classic, unpretentious and regional French food with a relaxed friendly vibe".
Harden's survey result
Summary
Set up in 2019 by Freddy Bird & wife Nessa (the latter in charge of FOH, and also the mastermind behind the restaurant’s crockery and ceramics), this Westbury Park icon continues to turn out “classic French bistro food with authentic Gallic ingredients” that “evokes happy memories” of dining across the Channel. Given Freddy’s starry TV stints alongside Roux Jr and co., and its own local reputation (it’s “hard to get a resa”), it did strike the odd cynic this year as “disappointing because of all the gushing praise” (not helped, by the fact it’s also “expensive”). Reports were, however, très bien in the main.
Summary
“The neighbourhood restaurant we all wish was around the corner” – Freddy & Nessa Bird opened this “tiny, rather cramped, off-the-beaten-track bistro” in Westbury Park in 2019 and ever since it’s gone from strength to strength (and “they now have a deli down the road too”, as well as opening 1 York Place this year, see also). “It continues to provide attractive, typically French dishes with enthusiastic service” and despite its peripheral location and modest size is the most commented-on spot in Brizzle in our annual diners’ poll (“vying for the top slot in the city, it’s always difficult to get a reservation which says much about its popularity with the well-heeled crowd”). On the downside, bills can seem nothing short of “extortionate for a ‘local’ bistro” (“the food is lovely, but my gosh it works out high on price”).
Summary
It’s “hard to get a table in this tiny French bistro” in Westbury Park (one of the most commented-on destinations in Bristol this year), where locally born “chef Freddie Bird’s classics with a twist” make an “outstanding addition to the Bristol scene”, with “proper gutsy French cooking, and delicious to boot”. Top Menu Tip – “the pommes aligot alone is worth the trip, absolutely delicious and indulgent”.
Summary
This “great local bistro” from Bristolian chef Freddy Bird (ex-Bristol Lido) and his wife Nessy is “a dream to have on your doorstep” – although it’s “really popular now, so you need to book ahead”. It offers “fantastic French-inspired cooking, quite rich and in generous portions” – “the côte de boeuf was mighty and certainly required a lie down afterwards!”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Little French?
2b North View, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7QB
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £33.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
2b North View, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7QB
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4 pm |
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