Bistro du Vin opens in Clerkenwell

Last Thursday AB and I were lucky enough to be invited to the launch party for Bistro du Vin  Clerkenwell.  What's different about this bistro is it's the first in London and comes sans the hotel.

The bistro is located just a short walk from Farringdon, next door to David Beckham's favourite late night haunt Tinsletown Diner and a stone's throw from Smithfield Market.

OMG it's a room dedicated to cheese

It may be no hotel, but the bistro certainly has a hotel vibe about it, with its pale grey floral wallpaper and hard wood floors.  Entering into the bistro I feel like I've been here before, everything feels and looks so familiar.  Then it hit me.  Forgetting the green awning, the bistro looks the spit of Aubaine, another Gallic eatery.

Can't take the heat, well get out of the open plan kitchen

Walking through to the main dining area there's a cheese room (I want  one in my new flat), and an open kitchen. 

Nothing out of the ordinary, but that's until you spy the feast that circumvents the length of the bar surrounding the kitchen.
 

Ever single surface is piled high with everything from shucked oysters, razor clams, jamon to steak and lamp chops; but it was the plump and sweet lobster tails and prawns which grabbed the AB's attention. It was a feast fit for a king.  And that's not mentioning the yummy Bistro du Vin signature Marmalade Martini.

Verdict:   When you go along to launch events, the staff are obviously briefed to be on their best behaviour, so it's hard to judge the service.  However, we found everyone incredibly jovial and enthusiastic about filling our plates and we were only happy to oblige.