France-Soir

27th March 2013

With the whole family in town for James' wedding, we decided to head to an old favorite in France-Soir (one of our first fancy restaurants visited in Melbourne).  Located in Toorak in a small, thin building it was as usual a bustling busy and loud dining room where a booking doesn't mean your table will be ready at that time.

After finally being seated, we were offered drinks from the extensive drinks list featuring both french and Australian wines ranging from reasonable to extreme on the price range. The waiter also explained the specials (only written in French) and we selected our three courses.

With our first drinks we were given some traditional french bread served in a basket. Served with rich french butter, it was very good and a good start.

For first course i went with the Quail, Kipfler potatoes and parsley. Quail, deboned and cooked well and combined with small square blocks of potato and cooked in a mountain of butter and parsley. A solid, rustic and homely dish that offered little subtlety but was a quality and comforting dish.

For main course i settled on the special of the Rabbit of the day - Lapin de Andalusian (much . A saddle of amazingly soft rabbit combined with a ragu of white wine, peppers and tomato. A great combo with the rabbit being the real standout.

For desert i choose was the Crepes Suzette. Served hot and smelling amazing with a strong Grand Marnier tone. Cooked perfectly and full of flavour a simple but classic mix of crepes with orange Grand Marnier sauce and a few slivers of candied orange peel. Classic french cooking.

Overall a meal worth going back for with simple classic french cooking and classic french service (not a compliment). But having been there for ages you are well aware of its faults and heights and it is well worth a visit every time.