Help me Doctor!: Where can I take my mother for her birthday? She likes French and I took her to France Soir last time. – Huy L
Your prescription: Huy, evidently your mum and I are kindred spirits, as my favourite cuisine is French! As soon as I received your question my mind pinged with a million possibilities, so here goes:
Madame Sousou – It’s Montmatre in Fitzroy. 231 Brunswick St, Fitzroy +61 3 9417 0400
Bistro Vue – Classic bistro fare in a frilly, French provincial setting. 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne 3000 +61 3 9691 3838
Vue de Monde - High end French (or more French inspired). Blow your mind, and your budget. 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne 3000 +61 3 9691 3838
Libertine – Classic French in a cute little place in North Melbourne. 500 Victoria St, North Melbourne +61 3 9329 5228
Bistro Guillaume – The Melbourne outpost of the fabulous Sydney Opera House restaurant by Guillaume Brahimi, although they were having some chef reshufflings recently. Crown Casino +61 3 9693 3888
The Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel – one of Crown Casino’s better restaurants. Crown Casino +61 3 9292 7808
Jacques Reymond – An industry stalwart. The Age Good Food Guide awarded it three hats and Restaurant of the Year recently. 78 Williams Road, Prahran +61 3 9525 2178
Can I come to dinner? I’ll bring a gift! – Jetsetting Joyce
I would definitely second all of the recommendations above.
For overall French rudeness you can’t go past France-soir… they have absolutely nailed it. Which I find quite charming.
If you’re looking for French bistro style that’s a more friendly and personal, you really can’t go past Moretons in Rathdown St, Carlton. The food is FANTASTIC, it’s a cute little homely townhouse, and it’s run by two of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
Hi Alex, thanks for your comment. I have never been to Moretons and will be sure to try it out now. Do you have a menu recommendation?
I actually really love the buzz and Gallic flair of France Soir and have never had a rude experience there, so it would have been my first recommendation for a French restaurant in Melbourne if it hadn’t already been ruled out.
Jetsetting Joyce
Absolutely agree with your recommendations of Vue de Monde and The Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel! I’ve had wonderful meals at both venues.
The other restaurants on your list look fab, I’ll have to check them out!
Keep up the good work.
x
Twitter: EmilyHill
| October 5, 2009, 8:20 pm
Hi Emily
Thanks for your comments! Vue de Monde often gets a bad rap for being overly ‘tricky’ food – I prefer to call it imaginative, inspiring and creative food. I’m so impressed with Shannon Bennett because he manages to convey those three elements at all price points, which means even when I go for a $15 lunch at Bistro Vue I’m still surprised and delighted.
Have you made your booking for the Fat Duck yet? Now THAT’S an experience that’s out of this world.
Jetsetting Joyce
Hi Joyce
I’ve decided to go for Bistro Vue! Having eaten at Vue de Monde before, I am particularly looking forward to this meal in Melbourne next month.
Thanks heaps for your help.
Huy
Hi Huy
I’m glad that my prescription was helpful! I don’t know whether you’re still on this no-carbs after 6pm thing or whether you’re following your doctor’s advice to reduce your dairy intake, but the bread at Bistro Vue is amazing, especially spread with the salted French butter they use (Lescure?). My parents kept on exclaiming how good the butter was, and they don’t even normally eat butter!
Jetsetting Joyce
Mon Ami on Nicholson St is utterly charming and servers excellent food! http://indolentdandy.net/fitzroyalty/2008/12/17/dinner-at-mon-ami-on-nicholson-st/
.-= Fitzroyalty´s last blog ..Fitzroy history – the corner of Johnston and Smith streets =-.
Twitter: indolentdandy
| November 17, 2009, 4:51 pm
Hi Brian
Thanks for the tip! I cycle past the restaurant almost every day and never been. From the outside it does look like a charming little bistro, will have to put it down on my to-eat list. That creme brulee looks gorgeous, I’m a sucker for creme brulee.
Jetsetting Joyce