Chez Bruce

I have written previously about the background of Chez Bruce, and its long-standing head chef, Matt Christmas. I have also written previously about the extensive wine list here. 

The a la carte menu at lunch was £68.50 each (£98.50 at dinner), or there was a three-course set menu at £48.50. Pig's head and ham hock croquette came with apple and black pudding salad and sauce gribiche. The croquette has lovely deep flavour from the meat, the richness nicely balanced by the salad and the zesty sauce gribiche. The latter appeared in Escoffier’s cookbooks, and is a sauce of emulsified egg with mustard and oil, folded with egg white, capers, cornichons and herbs (15/20).

Chicken (from Yorkshire) featured both chicken breast and barbecued thigh with wild rice, grilled hispi cabbage and chorizo. The flavour of the meat was unusually good for a British chicken, and the cabbage gave an earthy balance to the chicken and its cooking juices, while the wild rice added a different texture (15/20).

Passion fruit sorbet was simple but enjoyable, having plenty of passion fruit flavour and good texture (14/20). The coffee here is now from Origin, a big step up from their previous supplier. Coffee came with very good shortbreads that were made in the kitchen, as well as chocolate truffles. Service was excellent. The bill came to £122 including corkage and some glasses of wine. If you went in the evening then a typical bill might be £140 each, but it is cheaper at lunch.

Further reviews: 31st Mar 2026 | 03rd Feb 2026 | 27th Jul 2025 | 10th Nov 2017 | 23rd Apr 2011 | 03rd Jan 2008 | 02nd Apr 2007