La Grande Bouffe

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

We had a quick lunch here and can't wait to go back. The service was friendly and I thought the food was fantastic value.

I had the twice baked spinach, caramelised onion and goat's cheese soufflé and it was packed full of flavour but beautifully light at the same time. Such a nice change from so many other places where a twice cooked soufflé just tastes of cream.

My husband really enjoyed his duck confit baguette which was served on crunchy fresh bread with lots of duck. We saw people on another table devouring desserts and I look forward to trying them when we go back with more time to properly enjoy the full experience.

Jan 24, 2012 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

We dined here in a group of 4 to celebrate my friend's birthday.

The service was prompt and efficient albeit a little difficult to understand the nice French waiters very broad accent.

The baguette was very nice for a starter along with the escargot which was very tasty.

For entree we tried the scallops in bacon and the soufflé, for mains we tried the blue-eyed cod special, roast coral trout and the duck again all demolished quickly as they were all very well cooked and tasty. For sides we chose the green salad, green beans and Pommes Frites.

For dessert we tried the Sour Cheery Clafoutis and the Chocolate Marquis which were all delicious.

Overall a very enjoyable meal was had by all, I don't think any of us could fault this place and we didn't leave a scrap of food on the plates and we were all full and well satisfied.

Oct 29, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

Eaten here a few times with friends, most recently this week and always food and service is good. Experienced all 3 menus - breakfast, lunch & dinner and enjoyed meals from all menus. My friends like to BYO and we pick dishes to match our wines.

Jul 08, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  6     

Picturesque little restaurant, very romantic place to eat, and fabulous service. We didn't enjoy the food as much as we should have but I think that's mostly our own fault, we over-ordered, forgetting how incredibly rich French food is.

For that reason I don't know that I could handle the degustation, but I think each meal in isolation would be okay, though not spectacular. For entree I had the oysters with ham hock, while my partner had the Duck and Pork pave (which wasn't quite what he expected). Mains were the fish of the day (a pan fried snapper fillet) and the roast veal fillet. We ordered the creme brulee for dessert, which was nice.

Mostly we liked the little touches, like the escargot on arrival. Our waiter was very attentive and accommodating too. All in all it was a pleasant experience.

Jun 23, 2011 

4 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  4      Value  3     

I've been here twice. Once for breakfast and once for dinner. For breakfast I had the omlette and it was raw and inedible. The baguettes are Coles variety.
Dinner was marginally better. They got pissed because we hadn't immediately looked at the menu to order. They then interrupted us to blurt out the special of the day. Entrees and mains were ok, but again the crappy bread. Desserts were atrocious and service was not good. Before we had finished eating the bill was on the table, the house lights turned to full brightness. We were a table of 4, with a Frenchman in our group who could not believe the service, nor the food. Way overpriced. Much better French fare on offer in much better places.

Apr 17, 2011 

3.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  3     

We went for breakfast on a Friday. It was pretty quiet but there was only a barista on, who seemed more intent on making coffees than saying hello or giving us a menu. I had to stand up twice to get his attention. When his coffee came it was not worth the wait, bitter and burnt. As for the food, well my husband's big brakfast was great, the toulouse sausage beautiful.

But my omelette, surely a dish any respecting French cafe has to nail, was overcooked. Not fluffy in the slightest. All in all a big disappointment. And the toilets were dirty and need a paint job.

Mar 11, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  6     

Been here acouple of times with friends and love it. The food is beautiful, the specials are great. We always get the frites! The service is great and the waiters are very helpful. Will always come back. Have to come and try the breakfast one morning.

Mar 06, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  9     

Quite impressed by all the entres, rabbit terrine and beef carpaccio were great. Amuse bouche of snails were classic. Great fresh bread and butter of course. Very good wine list with plenty of french options to match any food order.

While there is no AC, we found the place was still full on the hottest night of the year. A testament to the quality fair and good service. The staff were polite and efficient in the scorching heat. Well done!

Only let down was the plat du jour fish mahi mahi which was overdone and bit too meaty to occompany the vegetables which had some uncomplementary bitterness. But, given the heat, we will forgive the kitchen for this special. Other mains were excellent, salmon, beef and lamb neck.

The 6:30 pm deal is only going to work if you are on time and are not in a large group. You will want to stay on for some time enjoying the food and wine. Prices are reasonable even if you don't make the 8 pm exit. Look forward to returning sometime when the weather is more favourable.

Feb 06, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  6     

Well, LGB was recommended to me by a friend so many times, so we decided to go there. It was a pity it was a hot day with 33 degrees outside and the lack of A/C really disappoints. The food price kind of presumes an appropriate facilities for the customers as well. They have water mist sprinklers outside though, but the noisy Darling street does not help either. The food is good. Not the best. But definitely of of the better French foods. I would want to see more provincial French dishes, the choice of mains will not bring me there again till they change the menu.

Feb 01, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Love this place. I must have been here 40 times. Their great value degustation menu showcases really good produce and craftsmanship without the hefty Sydney degustation price tag. Their breakfasts and lunches are solid French bistro favourites done well and done faithfully. I used to live in France and this place reminds me of my time there.

Their service used to be quite 'French', which was a bit full on first thing in the morning but they're much more relaxed now a few years later. Just wish it wasn't on busy Darling St. Overall, very good.

Jan 07, 2011