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User Reviews on Paradoxe Restaurant Francais
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 52 comments
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| Overall |
 
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Average |
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Food 7 |
Ambience 4 |
Service 6 |
Value 7 |
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We had esgargot and mussells for entree - fairly ordinary, sauce on mussells was very ordinary, had no taste, however food was fresh. The steak was cooked alright - medium rare and was reasonably tender, however the bearnaise sauce was nothing to get excited about.
Ambience was almost non existent as too crammed and place smelt like a vat of oil. Basically it is a residence converted to a restaurant which I don't mind except there is a lack of adequate ventilation and carpets need replacing. I guess for the price - set menu - 4 courses for $50 and no corkage was OK however, food a bit disappointing.
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FEWWY -
See my reviews 9 , 19 October 2008
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3 of 7 people found the following review helpful
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| Overall |
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Not Recommended |
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Food 1 |
Ambience 1 |
Service 3 |
Value 6 |
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Agreed with the earlier post that their half lobster main dish the lobster meat basically disappeared and replaced with imitation seafood! Other than that, the set menu and BYO are quite good value for your money.
Update: We noticed Paradoxe really is not too clean and desperately need renovation. "Chef Maurice et Linda" in Balgowah we rate the best French restaurant in the North Shore, we tried to book to dine on weekend many times and could not get in. Another French restaurant "Chez Rene" in Willoughby is better than Paradoxe.
Update Sep 2008: Agreed with the previous post that ducks main was horrible at Paradoxe as we also tried recently after a long absence. I had to visit one more time as could not book at Chez Maurice on a Saturday night. Suggest try the duck confit main at Ala Facon de Shimiz in Willoughby now Japanese/French fusion cuisine (used to be Chez Rene) the duck legs main there is so tender and meat practically fall off the bone.
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HonestOpinion -
See my reviews 59, 11 September 2008
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| Overall |
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Recommended |
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Food 7 |
Ambience 7 |
Service 7 |
Value 8 |
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The eatability reviews have pretty much got it right. A quaint little place providing a well priced set menu offering four courses with some garlic bread, sorbet and tea/coffee thrown in. Three of us went there on a tuesday night, fairly crowded, close spaces and pretty noisy. While the menu choice was varied, some choices appeared to be more favoured by the more seasoned regulars.
Stay away from the duck main course, a major disappointment. The first and second entrees worked well, the main course fillet of beef was a standout. The dessert choice was easy, apple crumble. A good night, we'll be back (hopefully by then the duck will be off the menu!!).
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MSP -
See my reviews 4, 20 August 2008
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| Overall |
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Recommended |
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Food 8 |
Ambience 8 |
Service 8 |
Value 8 |
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Visited Paradoxe for my birthday and had a great time. For $49 a head, this place is excellent value. Loved the complimentary items, like the garlic bread and citrus ginger sorbet. My first entree of grilled kangaroo with green peppercorn sauce was pleasant enough, but my juicy little escargots stuffed with herb and garlic butter were simply scrumptious.
My meaty half duckling with mushrooms was also tasty, although it lacked the crispy skin which would have made it sublime. My boyfriend's steak was grilled to juicy, charcoaled perfection and paired well with a sprightly bearnaise sauce. The complimentary garlic butter and rosemary potatoes and vegetables were also very moreish.
Finished the night with the tender, rubied poached pear and feijoa (for some reasons the menu said figs)- an elegant combination which smelled heavenly and slid effortlessly down the throat.
Service was great, tea and coffee complimentary, expect a traditional, hearty aesthetic. Highly recommended.
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tinuviel -
See my reviews 42, 04 August 2008
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| Overall |
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Highly Recommended |
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Food 9 |
Ambience 10 |
Service 9 |
Value 10 |
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This restaurant is the bargain of the century! The food was great and service was pleasant. We are definitely looking forward to going back again soon.
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karynia -
See my reviews 1, 31 July 2008
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
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| Overall |
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Recommended |
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Food 8 |
Ambience 6 |
Service 7 |
Value 10 |
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Good classic French bistro food at a reasonable price. You know that you aren't going to have to pay a cent over $49 for 3 courses from the start. No corkage and all the extras are included such as garlic bread, a palette cleanser of sorbet, a side of vegetables with the main and coffee or tea. My husband and I have usually ordered the same dishes, as we have been a little disappointed when we've tried something different.
We always enjoy the escargot, the steak (always a beautiful fillet cooked perfectly and served with delicious béarnaise sauce) and the Crème brûlée. However, we have also tried the fondue and apple tart for dessert which were also delicious. We have always found the service to be simple but pleasant.
Of course there are a few imperfections, the dining room isn't great, the toilets are dingy, and the chairs are uncomfortable but it does have a certain charm about it. With this kind of value, I think these things can be overlooked. My advice is go for the classic dishes and think about how much you're paying before you complain.
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Gastronomist -
See my reviews 4, 11 July 2008
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
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| Overall |
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Highly Recommended |
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Food 9 |
Ambience 6 |
Service 9 |
Value 10 |
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This is good, uncomplicated, home-style French food so don't expect anything fancy or innovative, just good simple food with fresh and tasty ingredients. Oh and fantastic value! For $49 you can enjoy 2 entrees, a main, a dessert with extras of garlic bread to start, sorbet after entrees and coffee/tea after dessert.
My partner and I went on a Saturday night, and yes there was a slight musty smell (the building is old, maybe changing the old carpet to floorboards would help?) but you don't notice it after a couple of minutes. The place wasn't crowded so it wasn't overly noisy and we could enjoy a quiet meal and conversation.
For the first entrees I had the scallops (generous serve of 7) in garlic/chive sauce and my partner had the kangaroo. Both were good. Second entrees were the smoked salmon/asparagus/hollandaise - simple and very tasty and the escargot which was fresh and garlicky. Yum. The sorbet served after entrée was a fresh and light. Orange and ginger.
For the main I had the beef tenderloin and like the reviewer said below, it was cooked to perfection and had the best béarnaise (and heaps of it!). My partner had the duck dish which he thoroughly enjoyed. Veggies were served on the side garlicky combo of beans, carrot, zucchini and cauliflower and some roasted potatoes.
Feeling quite full by this stage but really looking forward to the desserts! I had the caramel apple tart which was divine - a scrumptious homemade rustic tart served with caramel ice cream. My partner had the creme brulee which was massive and wickedly tasty with a crunchy toffee top.
The service was polite, friendly and always checking on us without intruding. I found the food to be above average in terms of flavour and size and the value is fantastic for the food on offer, and of course there is no charge for BYO - love it!
I will definitely be back to try more of the menu. Don't be put off by the negative and snooty reviews that focus on such minor things (like garnishing dishes with parsley - so what! It’s not an overbearing taste anyway).
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Dizi -
See my reviews 30, 07 July 2008
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
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| Overall |
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Average |
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Food 7 |
Ambience 3 |
Service 4 |
Value 5 |
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Interesting place! The place is very very crowded and noisy so does not make for a good evening if you want to chat to others at your table. The entree that I had was good but not great - asparagus with salmon. It was tasty but lacked creativity. The main course beef was cooked to perfection and and accompanied by a good and generous serve of bearnaise. Signature pear dessert was delicious.
The service was mediocre and only one female waiter was able to raise a smile and look satisfied with her job.
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PBNewtown -
See my reviews 12, 01 July 2008
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
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| Overall |
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Highly Recommended |
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Food 8 |
Ambience 9 |
Service 8 |
Value 8 |
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Great food at what is good value, three courses for $48. If you're a fan of real french food, this is great. Be warned, they do like their butter and garlic, but what *real* french restaurant doesn't?
I had escargots to start (great), slow-roasted duck (falling off the bone; yum) and poached pear which was absolutely incredible. I would pay $48 just for the dessert. There was also a palate cleansing sorbet before the main that was great (citrus and ginger).
The place is great for capturing 'la provence', from the rustic pictures, painted walls and fitting music. This isn't a place to go to be seen, but for people that enjoy 'la bonne vie' ..and a great meal too!
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sherfh -
See my reviews 14, 17 June 2008
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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
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| Overall |
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Highly Recommended |
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Food 10 |
Ambience 9 |
Service 8 |
Value 10 |
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We love coming here, always a fantastic place to visit for dinner in a true french setting. terrific value and best classic french food. We only wish we lived closer and come more often.
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hanahlee -
See my reviews 1, 10 June 2008
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