They don’t do everything, but what they do is superb. Definitely one of Covent Garden’s finest.

Cosy and intimate, this is one of my favourite finds in all of London.

I arrived early and had a drink at the bar (a delightful little cab/shiraz). The barman was warm and seamed very knowledgeable. When my companion arrived we were seated without fuss. What the menu lacked in design, it makes up for in flavour. And although I found the cottage pie a bit plain, the tartare was sublime.

I find the venue itself is summed up by its interior: classic, friendly, and intimate. I am certain that those who come expecting the ego-fanning pomp and elitism of high society will be happily disappointed by its simple layout and ethic. But the real highlight of my visit was the staff. They are real characters who know what they are talking about and are an absolute pleasure to engage with. I am so bored of lifeless, faceless waiting staff who would not dare crack smile, much less a joke. Here, thankfully, are real people who aren't afraid to stand up for their profession too. I watched one table of city-snoots who were being quite rude to our waitress, something about his cottage pie taking too long. Despite her apologies he seamed determined to lambast the poor girl on behalf of his appetite. She continued her attempts to placate the bear, now playing to his table as an audience, but he would not let her finish a sentence. I was about to lean across to liberate the young lady when she looked him square in eye and said "I appreciate what you are saying and have apologised, but do you know what is delaying it further? This conversation." She went on, "Now do you want me to go and get your main courses, or do you just want to sit there are shout at me some more?" I damn near fell off my chair for laughing.

A great evening of fantastic wine, some good food and some spectacular entertainment.

Go to Bedford & Strand:
If you like an eclectic selection of wine at decent prices administered by some of the sharpest bar-staff in all of London. Relax and let your hair down.

Good food, good wine, awful service.

Food: very good. Excellent smoked salmon and chicken liver pate to start, mains of haddock fish cakes and a Barnsley lamp chop respectively both great. Wine also very good. If a restaurant experience involved just the food, I'd have few complaints - great bistro food, in short.

Service: terrible. At the bar, I waited around 5 minutes whilst a bar man/waiter hovered at the other end, having a sip of his drink, before he noticed someone who had arrived after me, and serving him. Another bar man hovered in front of me, preparing a complex drink for someone, and although saw I was obviously waiting, made no attempt at communicating, no 'I'll be with you in a second' or knowing nod of the head. I gave up in the end and sat down, with no drinks. We asked to be moved to our table, still at this point with no drinks, as it would hopefully mean a chance to buy some!

At table: we were given only one food menu. I mentioned to the man who had sat us in the bar that I thought his bar staff could be a bit quicker; he muttered something in agreement, including the phrase 'kick up the arse'. We were brought some bread - had to ask for it. The butter was hard, there were no butter knives nor side plates given to us. When I asked about this, the main man told me that it wasn't 'that kind of place' and that even 'the suits' in the week weren't given side plates. So we were meant to eat the bread over the paper tablecloth. I can appreciate that this is a laid-back bistro, but when I've been to the real deal in France, or similar in Italy, spit and sawdust places, I've generally been given something other than the table to put my bread on. We were given some plates upon request, and a knife for the butter.

Further flaws service-wise: waiter/waitress presence fairly non-existent and their hearts simply not in it when they were present.

Good location and good food. Shame about the incredibly slow service and unapologetic staff. Give this one a miss if you are organising a lunch for more than 2 people.

christmas lunch must be hard for restaurant staff but they did it with a big smile on their face and then some

highly recommended

I just cannot believe how rude the bar staff were. Beggars belief. Do not go here unless you want to be offended.

Having known Bedford and Strand in its previous incarnation, Bachanalia, it is really improved. I like the way the wine list is split into three differently priced categories: Honest, Decent and Good. Whether you're having a deli plate (i.e. nibbles with your drinks) or a formal meal, I've always found the service to be attentive and friendly. Definately a favourite of mine!

I am really impressed by the knowledge of the staff at Bedford & Strand Wine Room and Bistro. Not only are they friendly and welcoming but they know what they selling. There is a great selection of wines too. Bedford & Strand is definitely recommended.

My first experience of Bedford & Strand Wine Room and Bistro a couple of months ago was a lovely evening with great food, wine and service. I came back this week and had the stingiest, most overpriced food and terrible service. Tiny bread rolls, tiny fishcakes, tiny chicken pie, tiny triangles of cheese, which we sent back, and none of it delicious.


Come to Bedford & Strand Wine Room and Bistro for the impressive selection of wine, but don't throw your money away on the food.

The Bedford & Strand Wine Room and Bistro has a brilliantly extensive wine list and also does very good food. We stayed too late and drank too much at Bedford & Strand, which is a shame because I can't recall too much of a very good evening!

We went to Bedford & Strand Wine Room and Bistro for a friend's birthday at the weekend, and had a great time. The meal was fabulous and the wine list really, really long! We will definitely be returning to Bedford & Strand soon.