The family-run business has always stuck to its guns rather than appealing to the masses
It all began as a small shop selling French food and drink in 1994 - now French Living is celebrating 30 years as one of Nottingham's much-loved restaurants. Attracting food lovers with a taste for snails smothered in garlic butter, steak frites and crème brulee, the owners of the cosy brasserie persevered through thick and thin to bring joie de vivre to the city.
The brick-walled basement, reached via a spiral metal staircase, became an intimate 35-seater dining room oozing French simplicity and charm. Stephane was in the kitchen, nipping out frequently when customers asked "Where's Steph? We want to say hello" - but not before popping on a tie. Back in the early days the shop closed at 6pm and the downstairs wasn't visible from the street, they hung what's known as a trompe l'oeil - a visual illusion - in the window to attract trade. The backlit blind, decorated in such a way that it looked like the shadow of a couple eating at a table inside, was a clever tactic.
"In recent years we have found our clientele is becoming younger. We get more young professionals and that is good, it renews the customer base," says Stephane. Stephane confesses he didn't recognise a group of England cricketers who ate there recently after the Test Match at Trent Bridge until a table of diners pointed them out. "Shame on me I didn't recognise them. When they stood up to leave they got a round of applause," he says.
As well as helping out front of house, he's bringing fresh ideas to improve the restaurant, starting with the introduction of an online booking system, replacing time-consuming telephone calls and emails, and shortening the menu.
Eating Out In Nottingham Hucknall
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