Chez Jules

A French bistro transplanted straight from the arrondissements of Paris to a New Town basement, Chez Jules exudes quirky charm. Blackboard walls covered in cursive spell out the week’s specials, red and white checked tablecloths drape over tightly clustered tables, and stacks of wine bottles behind the bar and near the doorway speak to the excellent wine list. The menu is equally, unashamedly, French – it’s not the place to go for creative twists or experimental fusions. Rather, Chez Jules focuses on the classics of French cuisine, and does them exceptionally well. Warm goat’s cheese salad layers crisp leaves, a crunch of walnut, softened cheese, and a generous drizzle of honey for a sumptuous blend of flavours and textures. Steak frîtes are some of the best in town: thinly cut skirt steak is chargrilled on the outside and juicy rare on the inside (and although its normally served with a peppercorn sauce, go off-piste and have a slab of garlic butter to melt into the crispy fries). A rich, airy chocolate mousse and a glass of Kir rounds off the incredibly reasonably priced lunch menu: independent yet inexpensive traditional dining at its best.