An unassuming bistro in a small Merseyside town has managed to be featured in the Michelin Guide for a number of years, with people travelling far and wide to taste the food on offer.
Bistrot Vérité in Birkdale village has built a name for itself since opening in 2009, with the family-owned independent hosting dozens of people a day. Owned by Vérité family, Marc, Michaela and sons Jacques and Charlie, their name is one known across Southport as being synonymous with irresistible food.
Sat across from Birkdale train station, the restaurant may not be the first place to be noticed with the likes of Tearooms and Café Bar Nista fighting it out for the custom of those travelling through the village, but as you take a step into the warm and welcoming listed building, people are sat down often by either mum Michaela or Charlie.
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Charlie and Jacques sat down in one side of the restaurant to explain to the ECHO what it's like running a family business. Jacques, 26, said: "We work really well together as a family and a team. Everyone has their own ideas.
"We listen to each other and have patience. It's nice that we all do it together. It's good. You speak to a lot of people who say they could never work with their family but we can.
"Without that respect for one another, it can't be done. It can be challenging, don't get me wrong. Even though we're [Jacques and Charlie] the youngest our parents listen to us."
Despite the admiration and loyalty from people in the area towards the restaurant, the two sons admitted the current climate across hospitality is not the easiest. "We decided to expand during covid and to be perfectly honest we've been okay up until the last 12 months," Jacques said.
"The last year has been difficult but we have to wait and see. When covid restrictions finished it was like a tap because everyone wanted to come back out for food and drinks. All the money people had saved over lockdown was being spent.
"Nowadays it's harder because of wages and the bills have doubled. Gas, electricity, it's all doubled."
Charlie added: "We need to get through the next three or four years. We just want to keep up the good food and the good service."
The Michelin Guide describes the French restaurant as a "bustling" place to grab food. It said: "A friendly, bustling neighbourhood bistro, serving gutsy French dishes with a classic base, punchy flavours and the occasional international touch. It’s a family affair with Mum Michaela, Dad Marc and their sons all involved, either in the kitchen or front of house.
"Pop into their next-door bar, Petite Vérité, for pre or post-dinner drinks."
Jacques continued: "We have a really good relationship with the community The location is amazing with us being in the middle of Birkdale and across from the train station. People come from Liverpool and Formby."
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