La Grande Bouffe

5.5 Average

Food  3      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  4     

Such a shame. The Valentines day menu was very ordinary. Not only was the roast lamb main undercooked, but the star anise creme brulee was not a palatable combination. Despite this, the wine selection was great and service was sharp.

Feb 16, 2007 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

My partner and I dined Saturday lunchtime. Love the way they have utilised the awkward long space, the room feels intimate and inviting. The dark wood decor is simple and sophisticated, the crockery, glassware and cutlery all elegant. Overall a nice expensive restaurant feels without the hefty price tag. The one absolute disappointment was road noise. I can appreciate the desire to keep the cafe doors open to afford that indoor-outdoor dining feeling with the pavement tables part of the space but the result is noise that is beyond buzz it is intrusive.

Perhaps extension through the back of the dining space could be explored, thereby bringing those outside tables in and framing the street side space in double glazed cafe doors. Not quite the same but it would be so much more relaxing - a little cocoon to buffer weary diners against the constant bus, truck and car noise. Indeed this is the one thing hanging over me for a return visit.

Return I will for the food was among the best French fare I've had (my favourite and benchmark restaurant by which I judge is Marque). Can't recall the name of the delectable dish I had but it was a beautiful veal dish so tender so full of flavour. So grateful was I there was plenty of sauce for I could scarcely get enough of it. Side vegetables were lovely and tasty, and we had white wine by the glass following the knowledgeable (French) waiter's recommendation and it was good. Topping it all off were some glorious desserts and a take-away coffee so we could take a walk in the grounds of waterfront Callan Park just a minute up the road. Most of our 30 min stroll was spent reliving the wonderful meal we'd had and dreaming of when we'd be back to sample some more.

Overall the food was excellent, ambience could have been excellent except for road noise, the service impeccable and value was a nice surprise too. Can't wait to try them out for breakfast and dinner and so glad we're only down the road in Leichhardt so we can appreciate this inner west gem with ease.

Feb 01, 2007 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

We have eaten here a couple of times - with tables of 6.

Enjoyed it very much. It is genuinely French - both the food and the staff. I see another reviwer joked about their accents but hell you should hear Europeans joke about ours!

We had the degustation menu and the wines were well chosen and complemented the food - or should I say, it being French, the food comlemented the wine.

We took European visitors and they enjoyed it as well and really appreciated getting out of the city.

There was a very loud-mouthed drunken bore behind us but they suitably ignored him and eventually his friends convinced him to shut up and apologise to his obviously long-suffering wife. We sat outside and some of the passing pedestrian traffic was entertainment of itself.

Jan 20, 2007 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Well well... there is a new chef and things are rocking now!!! Food is much much better... Alleluia.

Dec 14, 2006 

6 Average

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  3     

Perhaps my appreciation of French cuisine is a little under developed but I was very disappointed with my experience at LGB. The atmosphere inside was lovely and the waiters were quite charming, merci madam if a little pretentious. But the food portions were absolutely tiny for the price. The barramundi was bland and fishy, the Mediterranean tart entree-sized and merely average.

Oct 07, 2006 

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  3     

It should be mandatory for other restaurateurs to come here to learn about mood. The subtle lighting is truly sexy. But the big foldback windows onto Darling Street detract from the ambience as the hoons roar past in cars. You can only go so far to replicate a bit of France in Rozelle. And the waiters don't need to speak like Gabriel Gateau with a mouthful of marbles.

We arrived at 9pm to be greeted with ' Eye jast ave a luke in za kitchen' which forebode trouble. They could serve us but entrees were out as was the 'flam' (lamb). Which left us with mains @ $30- or platter for deux @ $60-. We both liked the looked of the calves liver in almonds with beetroot confiet and jus and a side of pommes fritters @ $6-. What we got was $5 worth of food and $61- worth of love. Macdonalds fries with 2 mobile phone sized bits of liver artfully encrusted with almond slivers. They hid the high point of the meal, 6 slices of beetroot infused with caraway. Garlic mash should have been served to take advantage ocean of jus, bit hard to soak up with crispy starch husks.

Small things like having to ask for serviette's, basics missing off the menu like coffee and tap water at room temperature so you can taste the chlorine between your shiraz. All in all a disappointing experience.

Oct 07, 2006 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

I'm biased towards French food however even taking that into account it's an awesome place to dine. Staff are friendly and considerate. Food is delectable, I don't know where to get better French cuisine outside of France itself.

Oct 04, 2006 

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  5     

Food here is very nice however had 3 courses and didn't feel full. Found portions could certainly be larger for the price we paid. Also had to remind staff about the latte I had ordered and noticed they had charged us for it twice on the bill. Very pleasant atmosphere for a large group booking.

Sep 15, 2006 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

We've been to LGB a number of times and it has been excellent on each occasion. Most recently we had a 3 course set menu at lunch which was outstanding. They have created a lovely atmosphere and the food is consistently good.

Jul 21, 2006 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  3     

Found a bug in my drink, (did not make a big song and dance) they were a little indifferent. There was no charge for the drink with the bug, the replacement was charged. Very poor. Could not return.

Jun 26, 2006