Bistro Aix

If I could give this place 3.5 stars that’s what it would be!
The venue: nice size, layout and ambience, maybe could be a little better as it was quite difficult for me to get in and out of my chair as the tables are very close to the walls and I’m tall! 4 stars.
The food: very nice ingredients! Lovely seasoning and sauces, if everything were of the level of these things it would be at least 4 stars; however, there was some issues with the cooking of the food! We had squid and prawns for starters, the squid was actually a little over cooked for the most part, a bit too rubbery and not very tender. The prawns were lovely however prepared on a very odd way, when I order prawns I tend to expect them either properly prepared to eat or not at all, the prawns here were butterflied but with the shell intact– I wasn’t sure whether I was supposed to eat the shell or undergo the very difficult task of getting off the remaining shell with my fingers! For mains we had the fillet beef and steak frites. Both out meats were not cooked the way we ordered, both cooked medium instead of medium rare. Despite this they were still nice– just not what we ordered! The foie gras was slightly undercooked and the texture really suffered as a result. Sauces were rich and tasty, very nice. For desert as we were full we had a coffee each which was standard, and a small selection of mini deserts– which were so nice if we were to go again Id skip starters and have a desert instead! The wine was good however we had a little difficulty getting them to recommend a specific bottle! 3 stars.
Service: if the service had been excellent it would have actually covered up a lot of the little flaws! Most of the staff were polite as prompt, but seemed rushed and busy and were however missing that extra mile to really ascertain customer satisfaction. There was no check back– which again would likely have been fine it the things we’d ordered were cooked the way we’d ordered! The wine we’d ordered ended up being out of stock despite what they initially thought. We were bought a couple of alternatives and ended up paying a little more– this likely would be okay if I had not been in the same situation in some excellent places which actually just give you the next bottle up at no extra charge and apologies! The whole thing was somewhat compounded by the one male waiter on duty who served us probably a third of the time and never spoke a work, ignored our thanks and never made eye contact, not something I expect when you’re spending £150-£200 on a meal for two and they add the service charge themselves! Three stars!

Love this place!!! Been coming for a few years as within walking distance and have absolutely never had a duff meal; a really nice feel to the place and good service, but the food… Aah the food! Proper French bistro fare, all to die for; fillet of beef Rossini and lamb shank daube my faves but hard to choose! Always packed so best to book, but go, it’s great, very chilled, good Sunday lunch too

I could judge Bistro Aix on the dull, loud-​voiced idiot who was sat at a neighbouring table tiresomely boring his friends (and us) half to death. But that would probably be unfair.
Unfortunately the service on the night was also quite disappointing. After being served by every member of staff at some point during the meal, we had great trouble getting the bill from any of them. It was near the end of the night and everyone seemed to be too busy preparing cutlery and so on for the next day.
Also, why do wait staff bring the bill and then walk away for another 10 minutes? Do they think it takes that much time to remove a credit card from a wallet?
Once the bill was paid, there was no sign of our waiter bringing the coats he had kindly stashed away for us on entering. So I had to go up and request those as well, and on leaving there was not so much as a goodbye, thanks for coming. French restaurant, British service, it seems.
On the plus side the food was pretty good, if overpriced in my opinion. And call me old-​fashioned, but after three courses I expect to feel full, and on this occasion I didn’t. My duck breast was good if unremarkable, but the calamari was excellent. High marks for the ice cream which came with the profiteroles, as well.
The dining room has a relaxed, seductively-​lit atmosphere and is good for a romantic meal — just ask to be seated away from large groups when you book, perhaps, and wear bright clothing to remind the wait staff of your existence.