Islington Bistro is a restaurant at 670 Main South Road, on the main route through Islington, a working and largely industrial corner of western Christchurch. A bistro, at its best, lives on unfussy food done properly: a short menu of familiar dishes — a well-cooked steak, fresh salads, a proper dessert — turned out consistently enough that locals make it a habit. The suburban places that last are usually the ones that treat regulars well and keep the specials list honest, since the day's list is often where a kitchen shows its best thinking. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to fill first at popular bistros, so ringing ahead is a habit worth keeping. For Islington locals and anyone travelling Main South Road, it's a straightforward option for a good meal close to home rather than a trip across town.