Fresh User Reviews for French in Melbourne

9 Highly Recommended

Drinks  8      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Had a fab night at Bistro Vue on recent trip to Melbourne. Really great service and fab food. Thought it was really good value for money and have recommended it to friends when they visit Melbourne next month.

May 27, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

I dined with my husband and daughter on 18/5/12 for the first time and we will definitely be back. The food was delicious and very well presented. The staff were attentive and helpful. I thoroughly recommend this place.

May 26, 2012

5.4 Average

Food  7      Drinks  4      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  4     

Provincial is always a good consistent choice for European pub fare. Dishes always have an interesting twist, but doesn't veer too far from the original.
Bouillabaisse was lovely, rich, generous flavours. The boys had the fish selections both were cooked to description.

May 25, 2012

5.8 Average

Food  8      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  4     

My husband took me for Valentine's day. Food was lovely and the view of the park gorgeous. The waiting staff were knowledgeable, friendly and attentive.
Only downside was the ventilation in the terrace building was completely lacking. We both left the restaurant smelling like a grill.

May 25, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Actually found this place by accident and what a surprise. Loved every crepe dish we had, both sweet and savoury and very warm service. The restaurant isn't very big but it was cozy and comfortable. Wish they had a branch in Sydney.

May 24, 2012

4.3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  3     

Lovely location and cosy space with a mixture of couch, table and bench seating. Did get very noisy though. The service was very good. Unfortunately,m the food was terrible.

Overall there was a distinct lack of seasoning. The best thing we tried were the Chefs Choice Croquettes (Mushroom, Leek and Parmesan). On the bland side but still nice. From there nothing else impressed. The dips were flavourless and served with lumps of Turkish Bread instead of Flat Bread as described in the menu. Pork Belly was not cooked/rendered enough so was fatty and tough. The sauce tasteless.

But by far the worst dish was the Chorizo. It was barely poached in a horrible apple/mint watery gravy. I took 2 bites and could not eat anymore. Never had such bad chorizo. It should have been all caramelised, crispy and brown on the outside instead of pale with the skin hanging loosely. We didn't risk ordering dessert based on the standard of the mains. Having been looking forward to going here for ages I was beyond disappointed.

May 16, 2012

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  4      Value  6     

Walking in off Greville St, Prahran, you might be in a Parisian Bistro. The wait-staff all look and sound French, the decor is appropriate and menu certainly has all the classics. However, in spite of the fact that the reviews are mostly pretty good, we felt that this restaurant fell short in some respects.

The wait staff seemed to have been selected for their ability to speak French rather than do the job, the wine was amateurishly poured and was spilt, there was some minor confusion over one aspect of our orders, our routine allergy issue seemed to cause confusion, the refill of water didn't arrive and the coffees turned up over an extended interval. Perhaps, we just encountered a night when there were some relatively new staff?

My French onion soup was fine, but there were some grumbles about the bisque (too thin?). A comment was made about one of the duck dishes to the effect that it could have been cooked a little less, and about another that it could have been cooked a little more.

On the other hand, my seafood gratin was fine, and there seemed to be no complaints about the steak from the other end of the table. The side serve of beans was a little light on for what we paid, although the mains had generous portions. The food and wine prices were in line with what you expect to pay these days. The wine list had a good selection, including French wines, at various price points.

May 11, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Wonderful food and service. Perfect winter meals with fireplace and view of the bay. Attentive but unobtrusive service. Somewhere special without the extra special price. The duck is to die for, although the new risotto menu should be experienced. And don't forget the cheese platter with a lovely frecinet Pinot.

May 03, 2012

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  9     

Outstanding food, exceptional service from Kate and a very pleasant venue inside and probably even better outside, however, we visited last Friday night and a bit cool outside for dinner. The variety of the food and the excellence of its quality is simply brilliant.

Do yourself a favour try Three Palms, we left the kids behind, which was wise. Not really a kids restaurant, plenty of couples, tableware is of a high standard. The Cuisine is listed above as french European, I would say more a mixture of European and Asian. Exceptional.

And did I mention Kate, she makes no fuss of you and treated us with respect and was an excellent host. The cost of the night was value for money!

May 02, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

Our first time dining at The French Brasserie won't be our last. We really enjoyed the 4 course tasting menu with matching wines. Every course was beautifully presented and tasted amazing. The service was very professional, each course was explained as it arrived and the wines were well matched.

Apr 30, 2012

7.4 Recommended

Food  9      Drinks  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  7     

We went on a gift voucher, so can only go by that! We thoroughly enjoyed what we ate for all 3 courses! Although they were short staffed, we could not complain of the lack of service, in fact I think because of that, they went that bit furthur to give us the best service. If I was paying cash, I would not like to pay the full price, but we enjoyed it, and the experience!

Should add, that the location was not easy to find, and that they do need to open it up more some how to draw attention!

Apr 29, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

I am so happy that this old pub at the top end of my street got tarted up. The West is really showing everyone what can be served up over the bridge. I have been here a number of times and it never disappoints. Whether you are dining in the bar or the restaurant you will love this comfy corner pub. The steaks are cooked to perfection the chips are fat and fluffy; fish & chips are buttery and delectable the salad with peas is the nicest one I have ever had... it's worth getting the fish & chips just for this!; my fiance is obsessed with the steak & kidney pie, being a Yorkshireman he has high pie standards! He has now ordered this dish 4 times and maintains it's the best pie he has ever eaten; I love the desserts and stinky cheese board this place is the business. It's not a cheap pub meal but you are paying for top notch service and top quality food you will love this place and return over and over again... don't forget to make a booking this place is busy every night of the week. Keep up the good work - love this local gem.

Apr 27, 2012

3.3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  2     

I would not recommend this place based on the quality versus $$$ they charge.
I asked for medium lamb and got rare luke warm cutlets. My ravioli had microwaved pasta, the edges were hard. My dessert had room temprature Choc Terrine and a blob of semi melted ice cream. neither myself or my boyfriend out our mains, we nibbled on the side orders. All this for $224. Definitely not a place to eat. The food court downstairs has better value meals for $10.

Apr 23, 2012

9.2 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

The location of this place left a little to be desired but once you get past it, wow what an awesome place to have lunch! The menu is French based with a lovely selection of steaks. My steak was cooked exactly the way I liked, medium rare. The steak came on a large plate with chips And a flavoursome salad. We also had entrees before hand. Try the white bait! The staff were very friendly and accommodating and the ambience was perfect.

Apr 21, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

I have read with interest and amusement the various reviews of Chez Olivier and other French-themed restaurants in Melbourne.

Inevitably the overall experience is the sum of a number of parts. On this ocassion, the waiters simply stole the show. They were seriously charmingly and professional. Their work ethic was outstanding and two young men worked a full restaurant with complete poise.

When my brandy and dry arrived as brandy and something else I was informed with complete sincerity that our waiter, not knowing what the "dry" referred to; had simply Googled it. Unfortunately Google got it wrong. But the manner in which my complaint was handled was exemplary.

The food was good enough... very good in some aspects and simply average in others, but the ambience and overall experience is top rate.

14/20 and well recommended.

Apr 16, 2012

3.8 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  2     

Last visited the Panama about 4 years ago, great experience great venue! Was terribly disappointed on this visit. Wine selection (white) was very limited, expensive, poor quality, and poorly selected. Tried all 3 Sauvignon Blancs, none were worthy of the label, and one was closer to a Chardonnay, and way over priced.

Starters and main course arrived together, then only to have the main course served later but cold. Out of 6 guests, only one was pleased with their meal. Service was poor, little sincerity. Was surprised to see both the bar and restaurant half empty on a Saturday night, but understand now from friends that this venue has been heading south for the past three years, which is a great pity as it has the potential to be a great venue. Let's hope they get new management in and restore it to its former glory.

Apr 09, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9     

As a regular business traveller to Melb I have a number of favourite restaurant that I eat at and the French Brasserienis definitely on my list of top 3.

Food is always superb. The oysters are the best and freshest I have had in Melbourne and the pate and terrines are simply Divine. On my most recent visit I had the pork as a main and I was blown away with the flavor and presentation. All accompanied by a long list of amazing French and australian wines.

Service is also friendly and the staff (mostly French) are always helpful in recommending which menu items are the current favorites. You will feel like you are in Paris.

Apr 09, 2012

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     

We found the venue on the web and going from the menu were quite impressed.
Upon arrival, great building but the mediterranean theme was lacking. We decided on the thursday special Tapas for 2 with Sangria, for a start it was 8pm and were told they had run out of Sangria we were offered another drink.

Service was extremely slow for a small venue with 3 floor staff who were all over the show with there service. The amount of time between tapas was long portions were very small for the price for 2 people. The food was bland, the meatballs lacked any flavour. A shame as the Venue could be so much better with some more thought into food, service and ambience.

Apr 06, 2012

7 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

Didn't quite live up to my expectations. Service was good and our French Waiter was happy to recommend his favourites which we ordered. I had the Beef Daube which was fork tender served with a beautiful mash & veggies. The only issue is I had next to no sauce. With such a generous serving of beef it became very hard to finish. If only they had provided a lot more sauce it would have been an outstanding dish. My friends had the John Dory with Lemon & Capers and Barramundi with Carrot Puree. The Barramundi was excellent but the John Dory (although well cooked) lacked in flavour as the capers did not provide much punch at all. The sides also had issues. Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes with Garlic & Green Pepper sounded wonderful but didn't deliver. The potatoes were not crispy and the green pepper left a burnt taste in your mouth. The Brocillini with Almond Butter could have done with more butter as it was a bit bland. Dessert was lovely with a very large serving of Profiteroles. Could easily be shared between 2. Overall I enjoyed the night but I'm not sure the food is worthy of it's one Chef's Hat.

Apr 03, 2012

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

By far the best Cafe in Frankston, I would even say the peninsula. Food is well thought out and everything is fresh and lovely. Family friendly, owners are lovely people, staff are so welcoming. Coffee is yummo. You have to have the breaky, we usually order a few dishes and share because it is all so inviting. I hope they stay forever.

Mar 28, 2012