‘A long lunch is what we’re good at’: London bistro above a pub wins UK restaurant of the year
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EN: Use the past simple tense (won) to talk about a completed action that happened at a specific time in the past (this week).
Our team won the football game yesterday.
EN: In the UK, a 'bistro' usually refers to a small, informal, and cozy restaurant serving French-style food. Winning a national 'restaurant of the year' award is a massive achievement, especially for a small establishment located above a traditional pub, as it challenges the dominance of high-end, expensive fine-dining restaurants.
EN: We use 'is called' to give the name of a person, place, or thing. It is a simple passive pattern (be + called) that means 'has the name'.
My dog is called Max.
EN: The name 'Bouchon Racine' has French origins. In France, a 'bouchon' is a type of traditional restaurant found in Lyon, known for serving hearty meat dishes and a warm, convivial atmosphere. 'Racine' means 'root' in French, suggesting a return to traditional culinary roots.
EN: Use 'above' to describe something that is in a higher position than another object, without touching it directly.
Our apartment is above a bakery.
EN: In the UK, it is very common for historic buildings to have a traditional pub on the ground floor and a separate restaurant or dining room upstairs. Farringdon is a historic area in central London known for its food scene and markets.
EN: We use the Past Simple tense (opened, became) to talk about completed actions in the past. When linking two past actions that happened around the same time, we can connect them with 'and'.
She arrived at the party and met her friends.
EN: The verb 'own' is a state verb (stative verb). It describes a state of possession, not an action. We do not usually use it in the continuous form (e.g., we say 'they own', not 'they are owning').
My parents own a small house near the park.
EN: In the UK, many traditional pubs and bistros are run as joint ventures by business partners or friends. The word 'bistro' is borrowed from French, referring to a small, casual, and cozy restaurant serving simple meals.
EN: To talk about someone's age, we use the structure: [Subject] + [be verb (am/is/are)] + [age number] + (years old). The phrase 'years old' is optional and often omitted in casual conversation.
My sister is 25 years old, and my brother is 20.
EN: In English-speaking countries, it is common to state ages directly in news articles to give context about the people involved, though in personal social situations, asking about age directly can sometimes be considered impolite.
EN: The Present Simple tense is used to talk about facts, habits, or regular actions. In this sentence, 'serve' is in the present simple because it describes a regular service of the restaurant.
They speak English at home.
EN: In English-speaking countries, 'French cooking' or 'French cuisine' is highly respected and often associated with classic, high-quality culinary techniques. Traditional bistros focus on simple, hearty, and authentic dishes rather than modern fusion food.
EN: The pattern 'be famous for' is used to describe the reason why someone or something is well-known. It is followed by a noun or a gerund (verb-ing).
The city is famous for its beautiful beaches.
EN: In the UK and France, a 'long lunch' is a traditional dining habit where people spend several hours enjoying their food, wine, and conversation, contrasting with the quick lunches common in modern fast-paced work environments.
EN: Using 'and' to connect two nouns or noun phrases. In this sentence, 'and' connects 'the French cuisine' and 'the warm feeling inside' as two things that people love.
I like the hot tea and the sweet cake.
EN: In the UK, traditional French bistros are highly valued for their cozy, unpretentious atmosphere (often referred to as 'warm feeling') and classic comfort food, offering a contrast to modern, fast-paced dining trends.
EN: The pattern 'be + adjective + to + verb' is used to express feelings or reactions to an action. In this sentence, 'were very surprised to win' shows how the owners felt about winning.
She was very happy to hear the good news.
EN: We use 'thought' followed by 'would' to talk about what we expected or planned in the past. It is the past tense version of 'think + will'.
She thought she would arrive at five o'clock.
EN: In the UK, restaurant awards like the National Restaurant Awards are highly competitive. For a small, newly opened bistro to reach the top 20 is already considered a massive achievement, which is why the owners were so surprised to win first place.
EN: Use 'expect + to + verb' to talk about what you think will happen in the future.
We expect to arrive at five o'clock.
EN: In British culture, winning a major national award is a huge achievement, especially for a small, traditional bistro. The phrase 'number one' highlights their unexpected rise to the very top of the UK restaurant scene.
EN: The pattern 'choose someone as something' is used to show that someone has been selected to have a specific role, title, or position.
They chose her as the team leader.
EN: In the UK, national restaurant awards carry significant prestige, often transforming small, local establishments into fully-booked culinary destinations overnight. Winning such an award is a major achievement for independent bistros.
EN: The pattern 'want to + verb' is used to express a desire or intention to do an action. 'Want' is the main verb, and it is followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
She wants to learn English.
EN: In the modern digital age, many restaurants rely heavily on online booking systems. The bistro's decision to return to phone calls and text messages reflects a growing trend of 'digital detox' and a desire for more personal, human connection in the hospitality industry.
EN: The verb 'stop' is followed by a verb ending in '-ing' (gerund) to mean that someone ceases doing an action. For example, 'stop taking' means you do not take them anymore.
She wants to stop eating fast food.
EN: In the UK, many traditional pubs and small bistros are moving away from fully automated online booking systems. This is because 'no-shows' (people who book but do not come) hurt small businesses financially. Returning to phone calls or text messages helps owners build a personal connection with customers.
EN: The pattern 'want + someone + to + verb' is used to express what you would like another person to do.
She wants me to help her.
EN: In the UK and many parts of Europe, some traditional or high-end restaurants are moving away from online booking systems. This is to reduce 'no-shows' (people who book but do not come) and to bring back a more personal, human connection with their customers.
EN: Use 'but' to connect two contrasting ideas. In this sentence, it connects the action of booking many tables with the contrasting action of only showing up to one.
She wanted to buy the dress but she did not have enough money.
EN: In the UK and many Western countries, 'no-shows' (people who book a table but do not show up) are a major financial problem for small restaurants. This is why some restaurants are moving away from online booking systems or starting to ask for credit card details to secure a booking.
EN: Using 'and' to connect two adjectives (empty and wasted) to describe the state of a noun (the other tables).
The room was cold and dark.
EN: In the UK restaurant industry, 'no-shows' (people who book tables but do not show up) are a major financial problem. This is why many restaurants are moving away from online booking systems or requiring credit card deposits.
EN: We use 'there is' to say that something exists. 'Still' means that the situation has not changed and continues to exist.
There is still some milk in the fridge.
EN: In the UK, many traditional pubs have historic names like 'Three Compasses'. It is also very common in British cities for a building to have a traditional pub on the ground floor (downstairs) and a separate restaurant or venue upstairs.
EN: We use the preposition 'for' followed by a noun (like 'drinks', 'lunch', or 'a walk') to show the purpose of an action.
We went to the park for a run.
EN: In the UK, going 'for drinks' after work is a very common social custom. It is a relaxed way for colleagues to chat and unwind in a local pub before heading home.
EN: The verb 'feel' is a linking verb. When we want to compare how something feels to a noun, we use the pattern 'feel + like + noun'.
This soft blanket feels like a warm hug.
EN: In London, many historic pubs have a separate dining room upstairs. While the ground floor (downstairs) is usually a lively, noisy place for drinking beer, the upstairs area is often transformed into a quiet, cozy restaurant, offering a completely different, intimate atmosphere.
EN: The phrase 'take someone away from...' is used to describe moving someone from one place or state to another, often to help them relax or escape a busy situation.
A good book takes you away from your daily worries.
EN: London is known as a fast-paced global financial and cultural hub. For locals and visitors alike, finding a quiet 'secret' spot like a traditional French bistro upstairs from a pub is a highly valued way to escape the overwhelming energy of the city.
EN: The pattern 'what + subject + does best' is used to talk about someone's special skill or the thing they do most successfully.
Making fresh pasta is what this Italian restaurant does best.
EN: In the UK and France, a 'long lunch' is a traditional dining culture where people spend several hours enjoying food, wine, and conversation, contrasting with the modern habit of eating a quick sandwich at one's desk.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To accept reservations for a table, room, or service.
To make someone forget about their ordinary life or worries by transporting them mentally or physically to a different place.
Using the telephone as a means of communication.