10 Cases Bistro, Covent Garden – A little gem
Small but perfectly formed 10 Cases, a British Bistro, is a relative newcomer in Covent Garden. There are not many tables but they have a bar you can perch on for a quick drink or some outside tables if you want to brave the elements. It is run and operated by 2 newcomers to the restaurant world, Ian Campbell and Will Palmer.
As there are only 2 people in the kitchen, the menu is short and sweet, which is chalked up on overhead blackboards on the wall. On this visit, we had a starter of garlic snails on toast, which kicked off the meal with a garlicky hit. Well executed, crisp toast, properly seasoned but be warned, enough garlic to fell a vampire from a mile away. (Not suitable date food!)
For mains there were only 3 choices, so we had was the Steak with Foie Gras, a nice chunk of beef fillet topped up with foie gras, simple presentation but ate well. Nothing to fault there. and the Poached Tornedos, which we found out that the beef was very quickly poached which surprisingly was very tender. Both were served with no frills accompaniments. The meat was supposedly Scottish beef but the waitress didn’t know much more.
The name gives you a hint as to the choice on the wine list. They buy only 10 cases of whites and reds and at any one time, there are 10 choices on offer. Every wine is available by the glass or bottle. Prices per glass range from £5- £9 and there is not an excessive markup. If you just wanted a drink, you have to sit at the bar as the tables are often reserved for diners.
On the evening we were there, it was very busy. People who walked in were turned away so do book if you wanted to eat here. It’s a welcome addition to Covent Garden, a simple approach, done well.
A meal for 2 with a couple of glasses of wine, about £80.
10 Cases
