Almost 10 years have passed since this casually elegant bistro first opened, & north Londoners have been happily attending ever since. Chef/proprietor Lynne Marie Sanders trained with some of France’s best, including Alain Ducasse, & the result is an extensive menu that speaks of both class & confidence. You’ll always find classic fish & onion soups & steak-frites, as well as the odd Italian interloper such as osso bucco, but the list also contains the more imaginative likes of seared Cornish scallops with cauliflower purée & white truffle essence, or lapin à la moutarde, stuffed with onion & brioche. Warm blueberry tarte with lavender ice cream makes a comforting finale. To accompany the food, try the 250ml or 450ml ‘pots lyonnaise’ from the mainly French wine list. Bistro Aix is now open on Mondays, & during the week there’s a £15 set menu.