Elsa

so good！I only eat the fish, but it's soooo good! I really like the green on the top. a little bit crisp and flavor. and the fish fresh, spacial thing is the bone. it can be tasted easily which make the fish more spacial👈, and the sauce is a little bit spicy, very gentle. so nice the taste it has. love it love it. And I drew a picture my grandma's cooking. I miss this💜

Very interesting experience. Very good wines. We were a little bit frustrated with the menu and got a very detailed (and patient!) explanation from the servers. Pollock and Game Sausage — stars of the dinner. Recommended!

Located beneath a mustard yellow awning on Charlotte Street, I visited Elsa (formally known as July). In this petite French eatery you will be greeted with an atmosphere more akin to a casual gathering amongst friends; no braggadocio in sight. As you step in there is an essence of a millennial charm (the good kind), all of which foreshadows the food that is to be served. For starters I had the roasted carrots with fig leaf, graceburn and hazelnuts. It was a beautifully balanced with the carrots cooked to perfection having a gentle sweetness and just the right amount of bite making you forget this is a vegetarian dish. The freshness of the whipped graceburn added a lovely depth which was only amplified by the warmth of the hazelnuts. Bavette steak with colston basset cheese sauce, fig, and radicchio was brought over for the mains. The steak was the perfect medium rare that could be eaten with a spoon which was made increasingly decadent with the creamy funky source. The radicchio and sweet figs were the ideal accoutrements that aided in alleviating the intensity; rounding off the savoury portion of the meal nicely. As a side I had the green salad with Riesling vinaigrette which was the only setback to an otherwise glorious run. Not to say it was bad in anyway it was just boring… Maybe  that was the point? Make the main dish the star, and not let the sides draw attention away from it? But it just lacked any inspiration. After a tiny blip with the sides, I was brought back around and blown away with the sweetcorn creme Brulle. It was the best crème brulle I have had thus far. A delicious enhancement on a classic, the sweetcorn added a richness in colour and in taste with a saltiness that intensified the vibrancy to the original creme brulle. The blueberry compote that cut through the luscious crème like a knife with notes of Assam tea which took me back to the warm evenings sat in the parks of Bangladesh; sipping on tea in clay pots. An absolute delight, I would have gladly enjoyed 2 or 3 more. The staff were knowledgeable, not obsequious and provided great recommendations. We went for the Cote de Rhone wine which was a delicious with notes of dark fruits and burst of pepper without being too heavy. It would serve as an excellent option for summer or as a transition from lighter to a richer wine; in any case, it was well received and appreciated. From the decor to the starter to the dessert, the word that sticks out was homely. Elsa lacked any pretentiousness; it is the kind of place you want to make your regular because you know that’s where comfort lies and is full of brightness. No ingredient was obscure or radical nor exotic in the modern culinary climate, but it did not need to be. The dishes were a reminder that everyday ingredients we take for granted like corn or carrots that can be transformed into something special. It was truly wonderful.

The two stars are for the only dish we ordered, which was alright. Upon arrival we were seated at a small table for 2 with very close, side by side seating. This might be fine if you’re a couple, but terribly awkward if it is just two friends having a meal together. The real disappointment was the bill - we were charged for an extra cocktail. While this was refunded to us immediately, the restaurant pocketed the service charge on a drink we didn’t order. We were also charged £4 for a jar of tap water - without being told that tap water (which should be provided free in restaurants) is chargeable. All in all for a meal that cost over £100 for one cocktail, 2 small glasses of wine, and a main course, one would expect more comfortable seating arrangements and servers who are diligent and don’t sneak in extra items on the bill.

Small intimate bistro on Charlotte Street, recommended by foodie friends and I can see why. We lusted over the Coq au Riesling (for two) on the next table but it was a ginormous chicken in a sauce our neighbors pronounced heavenly and we were too tempted by the range of starters. First time here, not the last! Helpful staff, wonderful evening. Thanks xx

Four of us had a meal in The Elsa last night - from the welcome as we walked in, to the Madeleine’s for dessert, everything was absolutely superb. The snacks were larger than we expected and delicious. Likewise, the sea bass, pork terrine and salad starters were so fresh, so beautiful and so tasty. The mains too were faultless, really enjoyable dishes and the signature chicken dish is off the scale delicious. Vera and the whole team were fantastic. We agreed, it was the best meal out experience we’ve had in ages. Perfect in every respect. Such a good find.

If I could, I would give this establishment 6 stars. From our first entry into Elsa we (my business partner & i) were immediately greeted, seated, and attended to. Far exceeding many french restaurants (even those in France), Elsa has a boutique atmosphere and an environment that is suitable for a number of occasions. Our waiter, Vera, was absolutely lovely. She was extremely diligent to us and the surrounding tables, with fantastic recommendations for wine, food, and dessert. I expected a lovely bistro , but what we received was a lovely Experience. Both of our dishes (duck leg & wild mushroom in cep, respectively) were fantastically seasoned, with complex flavors that paired perfectly with the wine we were recommended by Vera. For a casual date, business meeting, or any other scenario that requires an intimate & thoughtfully put together setting, Elsa is the place you want to be.

Great French bistro! We loved the warm hospitality. The food was classic French — the menu was a bit small but well thought out. The madeleines were amazing (just remember to order them in advance, as they take 20 minutes to prepare). The wine we chose paired beautifully with the meal. It was a great dinner, and we’ll definitely be back.