The French House is one of those British institutions that’s been around for as long as most can remember. The pub and dining room originally opened in 1891 - although back then it was solely a popular watering hole - and has served many great writers and artists over the years: Dylan Thomas, Francis Bacon and John Mortimer to name a few. It wasn’t until 1992 when chef couple Margot (Rochelle Canteen) and Fergus Henderson (St John) opened the restaurant upstairs. The restaurant is now run by Neil Borthwick, who took over the reins in 2018.
The main dining area upstairs is a traditionally decorated space that’s intimate in size, dressed with rustic wooden furniture and ruddy in colour. Framed black and white photography speckle the walls, as does a large gold-framed mirror to make the ever-so-cosy room feel bigger than it is. The hand-written menu changes regularly – every day in fact – and pays homage to classic French cuisine. There will always be a handful of starters, mains and desserts on offer, with examples of dishes including cod cheeks with aioli, heritage beetroot salad, moules mariniere or pork chop with ‘French House’ choucroute. Desserts, meanwhile, might feature profiteroles for something more indulgent, madeleines for something a little lighter or a cheese board for savoury fans.
Previously named The York Minster, but earning its current name after regulars often called it ‘the French pub’ or ‘the french house’, the main pub downstairs is where it all began. Whilst you can reserve a table in the restaurant, you can’t book for the downstairs bar, so guests have to rock up and hope they can grab a table (or simply stand) at the bar. In the summer months, there are often crowds of people milling around out the front. Wine can be ordered by the glass, half bottle or bottle and comprise an affordably-priced selection.