York, French Restaurant Guide

“A strong focus on fish, with venison from the ‘forest’” both wins praise for and helps explain the name of this popular bistro. We’ve maintained its rating, but change is afoot with chef-patron Stephen Andrews moving it in August 2024 to this new location – the downstairs of what was previously 1331 Bar and Grill building, in Grape Lane (previously owned by Stephen’s parents who ran the business for 20 years). No change is planned to the format, which started life as a pop-up concept in 2018 and has consciously adopted an à la carte rather than tasting approach (with a seasonal chalkboard menu now offering eight starters, four mains, plus four desserts). There’s also a bar area, a communal table and a courtyard outside offering a snacks menu which will include oysters and cured fish. Everything served is cured or butchered in-house.