French Eatery

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

We are a french couple living temporarily in Australia, we went to the French Eatery (les Batifolles) for lunch and it was an absolutely delightful experience! we thought we were back in France for a couple of hours, enjoying a typical bistro.

The service was very professional and friendly, the decor and the background music are perfectly French, and the food, so French, such a treat! true French cuisine, a very varied menu, with fine mixes of flavours. We had the antipasti to share, a tournedos rossini and a steak tartare, then crepes suzette and profiteroles.

We also enjoyed French pre-dinner drinks such as ricard and monaco, and French liqueur after the meal. A very unique experience, highly recommended for food lovers.

Apr 29, 2010 

5.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  6     

I've now been here twice and both times have been slightly disappointed. I had the duck the first time, it was dry and did not come with enough of the fig sauce. The second time I ordered the boeuf bourguignon, which was passable but nothing special. Where I felt really let down was the creme brulee, I was looking forward to this quintessential French dessert, and the waitress kept raving on about how good it was.

When it came out the top sugar crust was too burnt and there was only a very thin layer of custard underneath that tasted as though it was a couple of days old. The prices would be very reasonable at the French Eatery but only if the food was better. My dining companions were also a bit disappointed, the lamb was full of fat, virtually no meat, and the profiteroles were doughy and drowned in the chocolate.

Service was sketchy, the first time we had a lovely French male waiter and he was very attentive and efficient. The second time we had a staff who was extremely unprofessional and after coughing all over us then made off colour jokes and tried far too hard to be part of our group. All in all, not the best experience, won't be going back.

Mar 09, 2010 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

The French Eatery stood up to my high expectations of French food. The staff were friendly and attentive and while there weren't many people at the restaurant, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.

We jumped straight into mains: the Steak Tartare, Demi-Canard Confit (duck with fig sauce), and Tournedos Rossini (steak with duck liver pate). All three dishes were beautifully presented and full of flavour. We then moved onto dessert: creme brulee and mousse au chocolat. The brulee was the perfect combination of vanilla, cream and eggs, while the mousse had a crispy base and was decadently rich. We drank the Macon Villages white wine, with a fresh woody flavour.

Portion sizes were very generous, and we certainly didn't have room for 3 courses.
Mum said "I think this is my new favourite restaurant". And I agree.

Feb 19, 2010 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I have eaten several times at the restaurant when it was also known as Aux Batifolles and now as the French Eatery. On both occasions we received fantastic service, food and as importantly value for money across the board. We were greeted, our served drinks within 10 minutes and our entree's an additional 10 mins later.

Our mains we had to wait up to 20 minutes or so which was more than bearable. The food was just superb, fresh, hot and extremely tasty. It was a taste buds dream. The atmosphere was romantic and for a few hours you could have been excused if you thought you were in France.

I highly recommend that you at least try The French Eatery once, as a 'must do' either as a romantic anniversary, birthday or just an excuse to go out. All in all I give it 10/10

May 21, 2009 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Relaxed French, just lovely. I had the french onion soup and the quail, both very nice on the palate, washed down with a Pinot Gris. Service was good, attentive but not in your face. I will definitely go back to this french eatery.

May 05, 2009 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

I came here expecting not much but was pleasantly surprised. Tell tale sign was the Creme Brulee's quality. I must say, this place is very traditional and uncreative, but at least they got the cooking bit correct, kind of like France Soir, but unlike Paris Go (except for steak there). Would go back again for dinners definitely. Pleasantly surprised at consistency.

Aug 26, 2008 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

The food is so nice and perfectly cooked, meat was juicy, tender just mouth watering. Service was excellent, waiters/waitresses were polite food service was quick and efficient. Will be coming back to this restaurant.

May 11, 2008 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  8     

A nice little local Frenchie. On the day I went the poor waiter was run off his feet (he was the only one on). Still he managed to get out everyone's brunch in reasonably good time with good cheer and a saucy French accent. Ooh la la!

The menu is a standard array of French favourites and done well for their price. I rate it well and I'll surely return many times.

Apr 30, 2008