Bistro Pierre in Birmingham

Went with a friend for lunch - a Birmingham Restaurant Festival special. This is a brilliant idea bringing custom to restaurants and encouraging diners to try places they might not have otherwise visited. Sadly, at this venue, we were both left disappointed for different reasons. There was a set menu for the festival and, as a non meat eater, I found it unimaginative and terrible value for money. There was only one choice for me, per course; understandable on a set menu but I was unimpressed by the boring offerings and meagre portions. Three spears of asparagus was the totally underwhelming starter, albeit cooked nicely but... This was followed by an even more underwhelming split courgette - yes, just the one, served on couscous with an harissa dressing. The taste was good to be honest, but the tiny portion just ridiculous! My friend had chosen the pork - which, although declared to be over cooked and dry - was a decent sized portion. How can two slabs of pork, a wedge of Dauphinoise and veg be deemed equal monetary value to a lone courgette? Both of us being disappointed, we were not impressed by what was on offer for the set desserts. And so, we asked if we could add a dessert from the a la carte. This was refused as we had booked the Festival menu. We made it clear that we realised it would cost extra. Still no. What a terrible business model. Additionally, service felt rushed throughout. Unsurprisingly, I had finished my main way ahead of my companion. Waiting staff hovered until the other plate was abandoned. When the numbers of people opting for less meat in their diet are growing exponentially, this was a really poor show. Wholly disappointing.

Had dinner at Bistro Pierre. I chose the Moroccan Tagine with couscous and it was very nice. As I had already had a lunch, one course was enough but next time, I will try the starters and puddings. I did have a nice glass of wine-Pinot Grigio which was good quality. Service was good and it was not expensive. A nice atmosphere in this canal side restaurant.

On a Thursday at 6.30pm we waited for around ten minutes for someone to arrive at the reception desk. We confirmed we had not booked and were told they would not accept a ‘walk in’. The restaurant was pretty empty. Why wouldn’t they want our custom and money?

This was our first visit to this restaurant and will not be our last. Great location just off Broad Street and near ICC but hidden away. We were the first customers of the day and treated so well. We all really enjoyed the meals and tge service was so friendly. Grat table overlooking the canal

We waited 30 minutes for 2 bottles of coke and some water, 1 hour for our starters and 2 hours for our main course. We couldn’t have dessert because we would have missed our train … 3 hours for 2 courses isn’t impressive service! The staff couldn’t have cared less! Not checked on not asked if we want more drinks When I complained they knocked £5 off the bill. You have to pay £10 per person when booking … if this hadn’t been the case I would have walked out ! Food was ok but I would never go back … they ruined Mother’s Day … not that they will be bothered about that

Due to road closures and train strikes we arrived almost an hour late for our table on Saturday evening, thankfully the staff were extremely accommodating and had kept it for us. Food was delicious for our party of 10, ages from 5-80. The restaurant was beautifully decorated with a French feel, and lovely spot overlooking the canal. Very reasonably priced for the quality of food. Thank you Bistrot Pierre, we will be back!

Ate here for first time yesterday, a late lunch. Building is beautiful and very tastefully decorated. Service was great, quick friendly waiters. Food was excellent and a good price for three courses. Good menu, wide selection and “not too French” for non garlic lovers. Wines were good but no non-alcoholic available for us drivers, only negative but otherwise loved it, will be back.

Last time sadly the service dipped a little. However tonight both food and service were great. Really tasty and hot food. Service was attentive, friendly and polite. Good to see that last time was just a blip. Thank you. Can't wait to come back

Let me start with the negative. The restaurant has got to improve its service otherwise people will not go there!! We all enjoyed our meals in a pleasant environment. The food was good and we had an enjoyable time. Poor service stopped me giving it excellent.

Fantastic meal , thoroughly enjoyed our meal , lovely vibe amd atmosphere. Staff were great as was the food . Will definitely return .

Booked for diner. Area overlooking the Gas Street Basin has a good ambiance. One of a small chain. Service and food was good. House winnes and beers also good. A very good evening, we felt we made the choice out of all the restaurants in the area.

We've eaten at Bistro Pierre a good few times in various locations. The last couple of times when we have visited the Birmingham branch (Dec 22 and May 23) we felt it has gone downhill. This time we ordered the Bavette steak, see through slice placed on a red hot plate with salad. Was therefore not pink as desired. It tasted ok and the sauce was a nice addition. My starter was supposed to have cherry tomatoes and pink pickled onion, I got slices of poor quality tomatoes and 2 tiny slices of the onion. Salmon was nice enough. Good value bottle of house wine at £15. Friendly staff.

Excellent food and excellent service! Great value too! Beautiful place. We had the set menu. Central location. Worth a visit

No idea why they have some bad reviews. Was a little worried but needed somehwere to go for dinner and then the Utilita area for an event. This was 5 mins walk away so a perfect spot, and we weren't too worried if it was a bit rubbish However, we were greated and seated quickly, offered rinks within 5 minutes (try 2 x cocktails for £12. They're great). We had some nice olive and humous nibbles, plus lamb for main. All were great. Wine was also good and reasonable value (sauvignon blanc). We had cheese and biscuits, plus port to finish. Overall bill was around £100 for the two of us. Given the drinks, plus it was Saturday night in the centre of Birmingham night life district, I thought it was good value

We chose Bistro Pierre for its closeness to Legoland and that they had an offer on where kids eat £1 during half term. This was 2 courses and unlimited squash , for £1. It is unbeatable! We had the £22.95 3 course and drink offer. It was enjoyable. My beef , in the bourguignon, was a little over cooked in parts and I feel like it needed to pack a bit more of a punch with flavour but nice overall. Creme Broule was amazing! Red wine was yummy. Great value and a treat all in one. Servers and hostess were friendly. Service was speedy.

Had to send my steak frites back..steak was well done and chips cold. Obv by the time it reappeared it was fine but husband had finished his. ..no apology and no adjustment to the bill until I mentioned it. If they had done this without me asking I wouldn't have objected. It wasn't even busy. Stratford upon avon branch has never ever disappointed. Buck up Birmingham.

Where does 7pm become 8pm? At Bistro Pierre. So… I am always fair and honest with my reviews. I have been to BP years ago, at the same time of year, and it was wonderful. I do appreciate it’s a hectic time of year but …. I arrived with two friends (one was the birthday girl) for our 7pm booking. She was told there was a 20 minute wait for the table as the previous occupants hadn’t finished eating. Hmmm. But we weren’t the only ones being told this so clearly they’d overbooked tables. Anyway we waited and waited. Eventually both of my friends needed to sit down (ones disabled and one is recovering from a double hip operation). The small bar area didn’t have any other seats so I stood by them, slightly in the doorway. I asked at 730pm if we were near being seated and got s slightly impatient ‘it’s a half hour wait’ to which I responded ‘do you mean the half hour we’ve already waited or another half hour?’ A reasonable question I thought? I got a dirty look, a huff and a reassurance she’d look into it. Then a large party were called, their booking had been 630pm so they’d waited an hour to be seated. So did the previous occupants of their table overstay their welcome too? Really? Me thinks Bistro Pierre are being greedy and overbooking tables with no care for their customers or their staff. So with a deep sigh we realised we’d got to wait another half hour. My friend bought drinks, they didn’t have martini for the birthday girl so she had rose wine. They didn’t have that either so said once they’d brought it up the lady behind the bar would bring it over. It appeared almost immediately and she poured it out but then she started serving a group of about 8 men leaving my friends drink sitting open for people to cough or sneeze over. Surely you finish serving one person before starting another? Anyway …. The lady who had previously found my perfectly reasonable question offensive then walked up behind me with a tray of dirty glasses, I didn’t know this (the eyes in the back of my head were closed) and my hand knocked her causing the tray to tip and the glasses to fall, breaking all over the floor. I was mortified for all of a second until she looked at me as if I were a total idiot. I would usually have apologies profusely and been willing to help clean up but I felt I didn’t deserve the look I got. My friend was shocked but I pointed out that I’m not a statue, I’m not the Nutcracker. My arms move and to be fair, if they’d got the table sorted I wouldn’t have even been there. I was not impressed. I get she was busy and stressed and the whole overbooking of tables probably is nothing to do with her but don’t look at customers like they are dirt. Twice she’d done it. I didn’t appreciate it. So to the food. My friend had mushroom soup which he later told me was barely warm. He’s not the type to complain so didn’t mention it. I had boeuf bourginion which was nice. The beef was over cooked and dry when eaten without the sauce but the sauce, mash and carrots were nice. I had sticky toffee pud which was lovely. It’s £19.95 for two courses and a drink of wine which is pretty good value. Just such a shame about the wait, the temperature of the soup, the beef and the one member of staff. Our waitress, Judith, was lovely. Couldn’t fault her. There’s a few other bits that were annoying but I feel I’ve hammered them enough and given I’m sympathetic about how busy they were and the stress they were under, I feel I’ve said enough.