Lyndhurst Road
Brockenhurst
SO42 7RH
Hampshire

Tel:01590 623032

Website: www.blaireaus.com

Vegetarian: Yes

Parking: Adjacent

Wheelchairs: Easy

Loos: Above average

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The last time I visited this French style bistro/bar was quite a few years ago so we went in not knowing what to expect.  The décor was decidedly French with some oriental influence (eastern decorations on the walls and door frames).  They have just finished building a large outdoor dining area at the front of the premises, presumably to cater for the smokers after the ban comes into force in July.  The large car park is situated to the side of the bistro and everything is on the same level making it ideal for wheelchair users.

Our pre dinner drinks were served in a small seating area outside the main restaurant and the friendly efficient staff supplied us with menus and then took our order before inviting us through to our table.  We were glad we had booked as the restaurant was surprisingly busy and we saw at least two groups turned away as there were no tables available.

To start with we chose the mussels, a snail salad and the salmon fishcake.  The mussels were really large and meaty however any bread had to be ordered separately!

For our main courses with had duck breast, a shank of lamb and the Coq au Vin.  These were all very nice, well presented and properly cooked.  We were a bit disappointed with the vegetables which we had had to order with our main courses.  They provided two small bowls consisting of carrots, broccoli and cauliflower but each bowl was charged at £2.50.  We felt this was not good value.

Having still some room left I had the chocolate and rum cheesecake while my companions had crepe suzette and a French prune and custard type dessert which they had had the previous week in Dinan (northern France) where it was called “Far Breton”.  These sweets were very good and did not last long!

Accompanying the meal we drank two bottles of the house Pinot but felt that £15 a bottle for one of the cheapest wines on the menu was again a bit steep.  We rounded the meal off with coffees.  We enjoyed our eating experience at Blaireau’s the bill for which totalled £120 for 3 (including two bottles of wine @ £15).  The food we had was good, and the staff were friendly and efficient.  Our one gripe would be that whilst in France meals are always served with never-ending supplies of bread however here we had to pay £1.50 per basket, and we also object to being charged extra for vegetables!
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Ladies Who Lunch Scoring:

Quality of food
Variety of menu
Staff and service
Ambience, setting and decor
Value for Money

Total Yummy Factor

5/5 = Cannot be improved upon, 4/5 = Very good, 3/5 = Good,
2/5 = Satisfactory, 1/5 = Poor, 0/5 = Terrible

The higher the "Yummy" factor, the better the food & service. The higher the number of £ signs the more expensive. (Roughly one £ sign = £5 per head)