Bistro Franc

The food at Bistro Franc takes its inspiration from the bistros of Paris, adds a dollop of Mediterranean flair and serves with a side order of modern British cuisine to present a menu packed with “plats de résistance” and a good choice of chargrilled steaks.

Sourced from selected farmers in North Wales and Scotland, these come from rare breed, native Hereford and Angus beef, and are dry aged for 30 days. Ranging from prime rump to Chateaubriand, they come with fat chips and succulent confit vine tomatoes. Other meaty mains with a nod to France include pork chop with Dijon duchess potatoes, tarragon chicken and duck with grenadine syrup. Salads include a classic chèvre chaud; starters, salmon tart, duck liver and plum pâté, and soup du jour, one of a number of daily-changing specials. The prix fixe early evening set menu includes the likes of charred leeks and spiced quinoa vegetarian options, and Sundays welcome an indulgent roast offer, with all the meats plus sea bass and herby nut roast. The homemade desserts include a crème brûlée and vanilla posset with wild berries, and there is, of course, a cheeseboard.

Over two storeys in the historic Church House, once home to the Archbishop of Liverpool, stripped wood, tiled floors and glass chandeliers add to the Parisian ambience, and the French connection doesn’t stop there, with a well-stocked cellar offering the likes of Chablis, Provence rosé and Saint-Émilion, and the promise of a VSOP Janneau Grand Armagnac to help you home.