Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 14 and Version 10 of French House, W1D 5BG

Version 14 Version 10
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A tiny French-themed pub in [[Locale Soho|Soho]], with a small restaurant on the first floor.
A tiny French-themed pub in [[Locale Soho|Soho]], with an Italian restaurant upstairs.
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As of April 2010, food was served in the bar as well as the upstairs restaurant, but we're not sure if this is still the case given the restaurant changes noted below.
As of April 2010, bar food was served noon-4pm Monday to Saturday, but we're not sure if this is still the case given the restaurant changes noted below.
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The restaurant has undergone some changes over the years. Prior to mid-2010 it focused on French food ([http://brockleycentral.blogspot.com/2010/10/old-nuns-head-becomes-brockleys-rive.html according to Brockley Central], the ex head chef moved to [[Old Nun's Head, SE15 3QQ|the Old Nun's Head]] in [[Locale Nunhead|Nunhead]]), but in August 2010 the space was taken over by [http://www.polpo.co.uk/ Polpo] as the home of a small Italian restaurant called Polpetto (see [http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/restaurants/review-23871174-polpetto-proves-small-is-beautiful.do Fay Maschler's review]). Polpetto too then moved on. [https://www.theguardian.com/food/2018/nov/16/grace-dent-french-house-soho-london-restaurant-review According to Grace Dent in <em>The Guardian</em>], as of November 2018 it once more does French food.
There's a small restaurant upstairs; this used to focus on French food, but in August 2010 the space was taken over by [http://www.polpo.co.uk/ Polpo], and now houses a small Italian restaurant called Polpetto (see [http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/restaurants/review-23871174-polpetto-proves-small-is-beautiful.do Fay Maschler's review]). [http://brockleycentral.blogspot.com/2010/10/old-nuns-head-becomes-brockleys-rive.html According to Brockley Central], the ex head chef is now working at [[Old Nun's Head, SE15 3QQ|the Old Nun's Head]] in [[Locale Nunhead|Nunhead]].
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* [https://www.timeout.com/london/bars-pubs/french-house Time Out review]
* [http://www.timeout.com/london/bars/reviews/12627.html Time Out review]
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* [http://spitalfieldslife.com/2019/07/02/lesley-lewis-the-french-house/ Spitalfields Life article]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article5330656.ece The Times article]
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<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Ewan]], February 2010. Opening hours taken from the French House website, November 2018.</div>
<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Ewan]], 16 February 2010. Bar food times taken from the French House website, April 2010. Pub opening hours taken from Time Out 2008/2009 guide.</div>
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category='Featured Article,French Food,Pub Food,Pubs'
category='Featured Article,Food Served Lunchtimes,French Food,Pubs,Restaurants'
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formatted_website_text=' class="external">frenchhousesoho.com'
host='81.187.166.218'
hours_text='Mon-Sat: noon-11pm; Sun: noon-10:30pm'
formatted_website_text='http://www.frenchhou...'
host='46.43.34.31'
hours_text='noon-11pm Mon-Sat; noon-10:30pm Sun (pub)'
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opening_hours_text='Mon-Sat: noon-11pm; Sun: noon-10:30pm'
opening_hours_text='noon-11pm Mon-Sat; noon-10:30pm Sun (pub)'
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summary='Tiny French-themed pub in Soho.'
summary='Tiny French-themed pub in Soho, with an Italian restaurant upstairs.'

A tiny French-themed pub in Soho, with an Italian restaurant upstairs.

The pub downstairs is indeed exceedingly small, with a few little tables in an alcove to the left of the bar, some high tables opposite it, and stools around the walls. It's very much not a place to meet groups of friends. However, the clientele have definite character, and seem to embody a lost side of Soho: it continues to feel like a locals' pub and its walls are decorated with vintage images of French actors, not to mention famous patrons of the past (such as Francis Bacon).

The bar itself has no handpulls for ale, and only a couple of draught lagers (including Kronenbourg). Beer is served only in half pints: it is a point of pride that they do not offer pint glasses. This means that the wine offering is to the fore, and as such it is fairly extensive; the house wine is priced reasonably.

As of April 2010, bar food was served noon-4pm Monday to Saturday, but we're not sure if this is still the case given the restaurant changes noted below.

There's a small restaurant upstairs; this used to focus on French food, but in August 2010 the space was taken over by Polpo, and now houses a small Italian restaurant called Polpetto (see Fay Maschler's review). According to Brockley Central, the ex head chef is now working at the Old Nun's Head in Nunhead.

See also:

Last visited by Ewan, 16 February 2010. Bar food times taken from the French House website, April 2010. Pub opening hours taken from Time Out 2008/2009 guide.

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