LOCATIONMelbourne CBD.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAThere is a more to Vue de Monde than just the celebrated (and expensive) restaurant.
Dining options abound, thanks to the cheerful cafe and the charming Bistro Vue. A jumble of rooms awaits you through the entrance on New Chancery Laneway, which all appear as though they’ve been transported directly from a film set of a Parisian bistro. Oak-topped tables with decorative cast iron legs are teamed with blue-painted chairs with red upholstered seats. The tables are adorned with pretty side plates, old-fashioned cutlery and delicate arrangements of salt and cracked pepper.
The attention to detail that is apparent in the decor also extends to the cooking. The menu offers all the bistro favourites and some enterprising contemporary dishes as well. Yes, you can have onion soup or rabbit terrine, but you could also choose the soft-shelled crab with sauteed crab and olive oil sauce or a two hour poached egg with wild mushroom puree and Shimeji mushrooms. The mains menu sports a scrumptious lamb Wellington provencal and a shellfish risotto with orange reduction. However, if choosing proves difficult the plat du jour is $32 and comes served with a salad and a glass of wine. As to be expected, the wine list offers plenty of Frenchies and there is a divine selection of cheeses to finish with. But to end in true Parisian style, the creme brulee really puts the icing on the cake.
Rita Erlich