The Cardiff branch is just off the Hayes, on Caroline Street (affectionately known as 'chip alley' to the locals). Don't let that put you off though as the addition of this restaurant adds a touch of class to the area.
The restaurant is understated and tastefully designed inside and service is pleasant, attentive but certainly not stuffy.
My son and I were welcomed by Erica our server and shown to our table. Bistrot Pierre like to focus on seasonal ingredients and great value French cooking and the menu reflected that.
We ordered from the A La Carte Spring Menu see below and chose the Salade de canard and the Calamars. I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and my son a coke. There was a selection of about 40 choices of wine, including champagne, almost all available by the glass as well as by the bottle. 
My Calamars (squid) was perfect. It wasn't overcooked and rubbery, instead, it was easy to cut into, coated in a mildly spiced batter and melted in the mouth. Served with garlic aioli I devoured it in no time. A very good dish.
My son really raved about the Vietnamese duck salad and said it was similar to Cantonese crispy duck but without the pancakes! Crunchy, crispy duck with yielding duck meat underneath, rested on a thin julienne of Asian vegetables. A smattering of sesame seeds and hints of five spice, chilli and coriander made this a dish packed full of flavour. A great start to our meal.
For our mains, my son ordered the 9 oz Entrecote or rib eye steak and I ordered the Poulet printanier, a chicken dish with a creamy tarragon and mushroom sauce.
The steak wasn't as good as expected. Unfortunately, It tasted as if it was not seasoned and was gristly. The herb butter didn't add anything to the dish and made it greasy. The fries, however, were crispy, light and very good. My son has had steak here before and has never complained about it previously, so I just think it was an off day for this dish.
The latter dish, poulet printanier, was new on the Spring menu - pan-fried chicken breast sliced and served in a rich sauce of mushrooms, peas, asparagus and tarragon. You could really taste the mushrooms in this dish and this was further enhanced with the addition of yummy truffle oil adding an earthy flavour. The tarragon really shone through as well. A good dish and one well worth ordering on the Spring menu.
In Bistrot Pierre, most mains come with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables unless otherwise stated, and the vegetables were seasoned and drizzled with butter. The baby roast potatoes were incredibly tasty. I think they are cooked in olive oil, and you get a great flavour but they aren't crispy like traditional roasties, just a note if you are expecting them to be.
At this point, we were both full, but I couldn't resist dessert!
The chocolate mousse very good indeed. Rich and smooth and made of the best Valrhona chocolate, it was topped with small crunchy balls of chocolate that added a nice texture to the dessert. It had a slight orange taste but the waitress asked the chef and it didn't contain any. Odd but delicious all the same.
I've had the frangipane before and just couldn't resist ordering again as I remembered how great it was. A light sponge flavoured with pear and almonds, with a secret thrilling raspberry layer. It comes covered in cream and decorated with almonds and pistachios, adding a nice crunch. This frangipane pudding really is a delight and totally moreish and is one of my favourite dishes on the menu. If you like puddings I urge you to order this - you won't be disappointed.
At this point, we were full to bursting so declined the cheese course and any further drinks.
We really enjoyed our meal at Bistrot Pierre Cardiff. It was very good indeed the only slight disappointment being the steak. What I like about the menu is that there is always a decent selection for those that don't eat red meat, like my husband. Chicken and fish is always featured on the menu, with a couple of vegetarian options, and usually a pork dish too.
The chain also has a groovy Bistrot Pierre app, that allows you to collect points towards a free drink, starter, main course or even two-course meal. I do have this on my phone and it's surprising how fast the points add up. At present they will give you 1000 points if you download the app (which is a free one-course lunch or breakfast), but do check out the website to see if this offer is still valid. I was so pleased to be given a free carafe of wine on my birthday, just for having the app!
For my readers today that visits any Bistrot Pierre, and there are 24 around the country, I am giving you something free too! When you order a main course you can claim a complimentary 175ml glass of house wine, a bottle of beer or soft drink.
Print off code LBPBWCKJ and hand it to your server when you dine quoting 'blogger free drink voucher'. Check out the terms and conditions here, valid until 20th July 2018.
Tell me, do you like French bistro food? Would you give Bistrot Pierre a try?
I love the decor, tasteful and stylish! Also great to see so many vegetarian options on the menu - the food looks lush.
ReplyDeleteThere were a good few vegetarian options on the menu.
DeleteThe food looks so good! The desserts especially - pistachios are one of my favourite things in the world!
ReplyDeleteThe dessert was to die for!
DeleteI have never eaten in one of these restaurants but wow, the food looks absolutely divine! Kaz x
ReplyDeleteoooh this is such an aesthetically pleasing place! I wouldn't know what to take photos of first!! and I must admit, those desserts look amazing. I think I need to go there just for them.
ReplyDeleteI always pick calamari for my starter and love that this one was perfect, the menu seems extensive enough and choices are level.
ReplyDeleteI love good fresh calamari, nothing worse than frozen though.
DeleteIt looks like a lovely stylish place to visit. The food sounds wonderful I really am tempted to visit for that squid, yummy!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe calamari looks mouth waveringly good. I normally avoid chain restaurants but the food looks so good I might just have to give a Bistro Pierra a go.
ReplyDeleteC x
I go to this restaurant a lot in Cardiff, it's one of my favourites.
DeleteLove French food but have never been to Bistrot Pierre. The food looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love French food too and this restaurant chain does it so well!
Delete