PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAThose hankering to revisit that little Parisian bistro could do little better than this brasserie, which has been presenting traditional French fare for more than 20 years. The long, mirrored dining room is no romantic retreat, however. It is lively and filled with jostling diners and efficient waiters transporting plates of grilled scotch fillet, rabbit terrine and the ubiquitous, perfectly crisp and salty pommes frites which accompany most mains.
Classics such as pissaladiere or the andouillette Parisienne (house-made pork sausage with mustard sauce) make a great start, and for mains select French classics such as boeuf bourguignon, magret de canard (whole duck breast with sauteed potatoes), or duckling with orange sauce. The daily changing plats du jour make the best of the day’s rabbit, fish and pork cuts and are always popular and well worth trying. Desserts continue in a classic vein with tart tartin, creme brulee and iles flottantes – an island of meringue in a divine white sea of creme anglaise. The wine list is extensive, with many French wines sourced from the producers and available by the glass. Service is typically French; at times brisk, but always knowledgeable, capable and charming.
Angela Costanzo, October 2008