The Bruce in question at Chez Bruce is Bruce Poole, whose chic French restaurant has delighted London diners for more than 10 years. The menu is classic French plus regional recipes, and the servers here really know their menu, a welcome change. The décor is simple, with light walls and dark chairs, offset by splashes of color from the inoffensive modern art. Poole says his food is based on timeless recipes, and he’s more a follower of cookbook stalwarts Elizabeth David and Jane Grigson than a slave to the latest celebrity-chef trends. His menu also includes recipes inspired by the flavors of Italy and Spain. The ever-changing menu is about $70 for three courses or about $90 with an extra course of cheese. A recent menu featured a starter of sauté of baby squid with brandade stuffed piquillo pepper, rocket and basil, and a main of grilled calf’s kidney with bacon and onion dumpling, savoy cabbage and oxtail. (Poole is a great fan of offal-based dishes.) Desserts include the inevitable chocolate temptations, plus fruit-based delights such as rhubarb and champagne trifle. Chez Bruce also has a strict no mobile phone policy, so you won’t be interrupted by the next-door diner’s plans for world domination or emergency call from his mother-in-law, thank goodness.