littlefrench

Carefully sourced, self-assured French cooking in a relaxed atmosphere is the enticing deal at Freddy Bird’s good-looking Westbury Park brasserie. The busy, welcoming dining room with its petrol-blue banquettes, marble tables, myriad objets d’art and bespoke hand-thrown crockery was designed by Freddy’s wife Nessa, who also oversees a bevy of delightful staff. Service is efficient and friendly, and the long menu has something for all occasions, be it a casual bar snack of fresh goat’s cheese with wild oregano and olive oil or a special-occasion dinner for two of wood-grilled côte de boeuf with frites and béarnaise sauce. Bird also shows of his expertise in other departments, be it a ‘canoe’ of roast bone marrow with beef tartare and sourdough toast, chicken suprême accompanied by baby gem, asparagus, peas and sweet herbs or luxurious turbot with pink fir potatoes and hollandaise – although an ‘exceptional’ serving of plaice with capers and spinach was the highlight for one visitor. Desserts such as a wide terracotta dish of crème brûlée are big enough to share or there are perfectly kept French cheeses from La Fromagerie. Readers are also quick to praise the impressive wine list, which offers good-value selections from France and beyond, plus plentiful options by the glass and some helpful pairings for the menu’s staple dishes.