Bistrotheque - Bethnal Green

High fashion in the remnants of an old clothing 'sweat shop' brings the punters to Bistrotheque a stylish Bethnal Green bistro. The establishment is spread over two floors, with a cocktail bar downstairs and the restaurant in a high-vaulted room above. The style is 'industrial meets bistro', with bentwood furniture, marble-topped tables and rough white walls.

The kitchen has its way with bistro classics such as moules marinière, asparagus with poached egg and hollandaise, and grilled duck breast with fondant potatoes, but also ventures into the world of grilled razor clams with broad beans, leeks and garlic, lobster and chips, and steak tartare. To finish there are safe-and-sound desserts like crème brûlée, lemon tart and rhubarb pie with custard.

On Saturday and Sunday, a crowd-pleasing brunch menu features dishes from the main carte plus breakfast favourites like 'full English', eggs Benedict and scrambled eggs with chorizo. The wine list focuses heavily on famous and little known French names.