Many a restaurant that has claimed to offer customers a genuine French dining experience has ended up becoming a pale imitation of the real thing. If you still haven't been to one or sampled dishes that have come out of that wonderful land, head straight to pretty little Bouchon that can be found opposite the Hexham swimming pool in Gilesgate, and presents customers with a chance to enjoy delicious food in the cosy interiors of a Grade II listed building.

The kitchen has the self confidence and skill to create simple and flavoursome dishes such as French onion soup, assiette of charcuterie or grilled king prawns for starters. Main courses could comprise daube of venison with celeriac purée, red cabbage and buckwheat galette, and crispy duck confit with lyonnaise potatoes and Savoy cabbage.

Griottine clafoutis with pistachio ice cream and green chartreuse jostles with apple tarte tatin and vanilla ice cream in the desserts section.