Casual candlelight, gentle jazz, elegantly efficient service: suddenly, stress-levels subside and the world becomes a prettier place. A distinctly European feel adds to the overall bonhomie, while food ranges from robust French bistro classics-with-a-twist to smart versions of Parisian brasserie-themed treats (with vin to match, naturellement). Set lunch/pre-theatre menus offer exceptional value for money, and it’s nice to see that the little ones aren’t overlooked: they get their own special two-course/£6.50 menu, with not a Turkey Twizzler in sight. The banquet seating in the back room makes for the comfiest lounging option, but the front part of the restaurant has a livelier atmosphere. Funnily enough, if you climb the rickety staircase to the toilets, you’d be forgiven for mistaking you’d entered another, far chillier world — such facilities might need ‘a little work’, but everything else is pretty darn good.

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A-Z of Bath Restaurants • Business restaurants • Lazy cafes & restaurants • Lunch-time destinations • Romantic restaurants