Bistro Guillaume Melbourne is a classic French restaurant modelled on France’s popular neighbourhood bistros but sitting swankily alongside the Yarra here in our very own Melbourne.

The lime green colour scheme is the first thing you will notice when you approach Bistro Guillaume and it sets the scene for a dining experience that does not follow along with the trends, rather walks its own jaunty journey par excellence.

If you are not already in love with the riverside view and on point brisk but embracing service, then  the decor will capture your heart like a dashing French mademoiselle looking sweetly at you from under her thick long lashes.

Then the food will sweep you away.

The Roquefort soufflé is a cheese lovers delight. Light, fluffy and intensely creamy all at once with a perfect side serve of cress, apple and walnuts as an accompaniment. I am often trying to find an equal to my favourite ever dish of Goats Cheese Soufflé from Donovans in St Kilda which I ate a decade or so ago and Bistro Guillaume’s souffle comes daringly close.

A beetroot tart with goats cheese feta and horseradish demonstrates a similar philosophy in the kitchen of beautiful ingredients perfectly paired with lavish restraint and skill I can only dream of. The thin, buttery tart shell was uniquely memorable and I am sure, very hard to replicate.

Roast chicken with Paris mash was an outstanding dish and easily the most delicious roast chicken I have ever eaten (sorry Mum). I have since discovered that the recipe for Paris Mash includes a whole lot of butter and only a modicum of potato, but no bother, it was the chicken that really shone in this dish anyway.   Succulent, crispy-skin perfection with an outstanding jus drizzled all around.

There was little room for dessert but we ordered it anyway because who can resist a profiterole with vanilla bean ice cream and chocolate sauce?

Our waitress was helpful and of my favourite waitstaff breed. There, but not there if you know what I mean. Never intrusive and yet when I went to reach for the wrong knife during entrée there she suddenly was under my right arm proffering me the correct utensil. She also added a sprinkling of authenticity by way of a lovely French accent but I don’t think it would have mattered either way. She recommended the right wine and kept a rather rowdy table of business men in order and facilitated our dining experience with dry humour and helpfulness.

Visit for the perfect riverside Melbourne dining experience and food that you will remember long after you leave.

The details

8 Whiteman St

Southbank

Open 12 midday to 10pm 7 days

03 8582 2014

http://bistroguillaumemelbourne.com.au

This week saw the opening of an exciting new restaurant in Bligh Place, just off Flinders Lane, serving fresh, modern flavours from North Africa, Anatolia and the Middle East. 

Eat My Street was invited along on behalf of the Australian Good Food and Travel Guide, for the opening night. On arrival we were greeted with the “Omar Sharif” cocktail. Pink fairy floss and rose petals atop an elixir of gin, citrus mastic. orgeat and rose water. This delicious and gorgeous drink set the tone for the dinner ahead. There are four other Arabian style cocktails to chose from, including “Aladdin’s Mistress” with Moroccan green iced tea, crushed cardamom pods, rum and mint.

The venue was recently redeveloped by Ergun Elmas (of Elsternwick’s Arabesque) and business partner Vlad Kovacevic and it spans two levels of neon pink and grey gorgeousness offset with striking artwork. Head Chef Rogelio Almanza, comes to Souk via Mexico, America and Japan and seems to have a deft hand when it comes to bringing a little extra kick and sizzle to the flavours on the plate.

To the food. Prawn falafel with smoked black tahini and chipotle hummus with burnt butter and paprika were the opening gambits. Both dishes delivered a fresh take on classic, much loved dishes. I enjoyed the extra dimension that the chipotle and burnt butter brought to the hummus and the prawn falafel had a great depth and intricacy of flavour.

The Kuwaiti Fried Chicken (KFC) was another highlight that packed a big punch of flavour. These little crunchy chicken ribs were fried in harissa and paprika breadcrumbs and I  could have eaten a lot more.

The Turkish Tabouleh with sumac, mint cucumber, mild chillies and roasted pine nuts provided a fresh and zesty interlude for our palates and demonstrates a thoughtful approach to menu design.

Next up was the perfectly tender charcoal octopus which was served with muhammara sauce and roasted potato.

The Chicken and Apricot Kofta continued the theme of giant flavours in small sizes, and it was served on a roasted lemongrass stick that permeated the juicy meatball perfectly.

Dessert was a slow cooked black tapioca pearls in sweet turkish coffee cream.  This dish offered a perfect balance of sweet and bitter, crunch and cream. The  slippery luxuriousness of the tapioca balls were brought to life with the clean, crispness of the coffee. The crowning jewell of berries added the perfect burst of fresh sweetness and deep friend tapioca added crunch. I liked this dessert very much.

Visit Souk for the excellent food that is full of exciting flavours , the modish setting, great service and of course, cocktails to remember.

Happy Eating.

Dani xx