Eleven Restaurant - Leamington Spa

A rustic, bow-windowed bistro in Leamington Old Town, Eleven brings a taste of rural France to the heartlands of Warwickshire. Cosy informality prevails and the owners have built up a sound network of French suppliers and producers who provide the kitchen with sausages, Romanzini snails, wild rabbits from Brittany and much more besides.

The Gallic input is supplemented by locally reared Lighthorne lamb, Warwickshire-reared beef, Evesham vegetables and the harvest from local allotments. 'Menu rapide' lunches are highly popular, likewise the three-course 'menu terroir' served on Tuesday evenings. At other times, the carte plunders the bourgeois repertoire for pan-fried scallops with marinated carrot salad, rump of lamb with rosemary jus and Landais duck breast with peppered pineapple, ahead of classic desserts like crème caramel, chocolate fondant or cherry bourdaoue (poached in vanilla syrup).

Co-owner/sommelier Jean-Christophe hails from the Loire Valley and his wine list is peppered with enticing bottles from the French regions. The owners stage special Gallic gastronomic evenings to coincide with Bastille Day, Beaujolais Nouveau and other big occasions.