Azur Bistro

On Saturday we went here for some lunch with my uncle, it was close by, we’d just had a pint — maybe two — in The Lab. We found it upstairs nestled between Mings and Cranachan after having to ask directions.
The décor was quite contemporary, a bit French, very bright and slightly smelling of fresh paint. We got seated by a waitress who spoke perfect English, and then served by one that really couldn’t. It was ok though she couldn’t understand my French either, but we muddled through the menu. The service was really good to be fair. I went for the Crevettes (tiger prawns in garlic butter) and the Beef Bourguignon.
I liked the music, it had a French swing vibe and was piped throughout the restaurant, as I realised when I finally made it to the single unisex bathroom after queueing for a few minutes. Part of the chorus kept repeating «Oui Oui» but I really didn’t need to be asked twice.
The food came quickly and was tasty, the prawns were quite heavy with garlic which suits me fine, and the bourguignon was rich and again pleasant, but it just felt like something was slightly missing. I’m no expert and not an enormous fan of French food, but it didn’t wow me like Le Bistro Beaumartin. So that and the toilet arrangements did put me off slightly.

I’m «marginally positive» about Princes Sq and ditto about steak, so with that in mind I was led to said place to eat rump and chips. It’ll come as no surprise then that I’m now «insignificantly decisive» about Azur Bistro.
In a nutshell service was impeccable, but then again we were the only ones there. Steak was perfectly medium, but came with «McDonalds» chips and either the plate was too big, or the portion was too small? (An ever-​present tummy rumble should have given me a clue to which). And the house red was perfectly unobjectionable.
Décor wise and ambience? Remember Fifi and Ally? Well it’s exactly the same, but without the flowery teapots’. But Fifi and Ally is no more and this Cranachan owned bistro’s taken its place. For the better? To some degree, probably.