‘A long lunch is what we’re good at’: London bistro above a pub wins UK restaurant of the year

A2220 words1:35News Report American AccentPublished Jun 12, 2026 · Updated Jun 12, 2026

Food Lifestyle Culture

Listen to Course

0:00

0:00

Comprehension Vocabulary Shadowing Quiz Dictation Writing Practice

Recommended Courses

Learner Reviews

Write a review

Back to Courses Enroll

#1

A small French bistro in London won the UK restaurant of the year award this week.

#2

The restaurant is called Bouchon Racine.

#3

It is above a pub in Farringdon, London.

#4

It opened in 2023 and became very popular fast.

#5

Two men own the bistro together.

#6

Henry Harris is 62 years old and Dave Strauss is 61.

#7

They serve traditional French cooking.

#8

The restaurant is famous for a long, relaxing lunch.

#9

People love the French cuisine and the warm feeling inside.

#10

The owners were very surprised to win the restaurant award.

#11

"We thought we would be lucky to be in the top 20."

#12

They did not expect to be number one.

#13

But the judges chose them as the best in the UK.

#14

The bistro wants to do things in a simple, old way.

#15

Strauss wants to stop taking bookings online.

#16

He wants people to call by phone or send a text message.

#17

He said some people booked four tables in one week but only came to one.

#18

So the other tables were empty and wasted.

#19

Downstairs, there is still a normal pub called Three Compasses.

#20

People go there after work for drinks.

#21

But upstairs, the restaurant feels like a secret room.

#22

It takes you away from busy London life.

#23

A long lunch with traditional cooking is what this bistro does best.