Review The French Brasserie - Melbourne

Amazing experience from start to finish, from the owner’s reception to the the service, the food, the atmosphere, the music, the wine, the venue, we couldn’t fault a thing. The old fashioned great service and happy and super helpful staff all speaking French was so refreshing. The menu is just perfect and not too confusing, with something for everyone. If you’re looking for a quick cheap meal, go elsewhere. If you want an amazing dining experience then go see Hadj and his team, and enjoy a bit of everything, start with an entree with a couple of refreshing cocktails, a beautiful main with a nice wine, and end it with a delicious dessert and a coffee. This is our new favourite restaurant in Melbourne, we’re already planning our next visit.

As a massive fan of French cuisine I am super impressed on all levels of this experience. Food, Amazing - transported back to Paris, Service, Outstanding - with French flair and finesse. Atmosphere - brilliant!! Highly recommend a dinner here!! Thank-you for an outstanding evening!

Such a lovely, intimate space to have a date on. It’s a shame it’s tucked away and harder for walk-ins to notice. The staff were so friendly and made my birthday dinner an extra special experience. We were provided sparkling wine on arrival and a little dessert with a candle as a bonus. The steak tartare and onion soup are great signature entrees, and the mains are the perfect portion size and present beautifully. Can’t wait to come back again and try the rest.

Date night goals! We celebrated our 10 year wedding anni here and it was amazing from start to finish. Outstanding service, tasty food and cocktails and the perfect date night vibe. Yum! We’ll be back 🥰

Fabulous service and wonderful food from the start to finish! We love the duck and beef cheek. The snail is also good. Price is reasonable - we spent less than $200 for two people.

We went to The French Brasserie for dinner. As the name suggests, French brasserie served French cuisine, located in a hidden laneway in Melbourne CBD. When we arrived, even though we had a booking, we were still required to wait as our table wasn’t ready. The menu wasn’t large, and I ordered the French onion soup to start with, Confit duck leg served with vege, beetroot purée and orange jus for the main, as well as the confit potatoes cooked in duck fat on the side. To finish, the chocolate fondant that came with vanilla ice cream. The best dish was probably the onion soup - pretty basic but decent with its melted gruyere cheese, although the bowl was a bit gross with soup dripping down the side of the bowl. The duck was cooked for way too long that it just fell apart when you lightly forked it and it completely lacked the orange flavour. The potatoes were bland - couldn’t detect much of the herbs they supposedly came with. Choc fondant dessert was pretty good, rich with a nice lava centre, although the ice cream tasted cheap with no real vanilla (seeds) in it. The staff members were not knowledgeable; for mains some of us ordered duck, some ordered chicken, the 2 wait staff who brought out the dishes had no idea which was which, that they had to confirm with the chef. Overall, it was a disappointing dining experience, especially at around $100+ per head.

It is a very pleasant experience with delightful dishes. The best thing here is the host and Staff are welcoming, friendly. Moreover, the restaurant design and music are very romantic and relaxing making the experience more enjoyable.

My partner and I had dinner at the Brasserie last Friday night before attending Cinderella at the Regent and it was simply the best restaurant we've ever been to! Upon entering the restaurant we were warmly greeted in French and enjoyed a wonderful conversation with the manager and waiters before being seated. As we were celebrating my birthday, we were gifted a Kir Royale each, they were divine. We also enjoyed a glass of delicious wine and a French martini with our meals. We enjoyed the french onion soup and cheese board for our entree and the dishes did not disappoint. The beef cheek and duck along with the french fries were also delicious. We concluded with the creme brulee and the staff added a candle to it in celebration of my birthday. The staff throughout the night spoke to us and each other in French and along with the French music, we felt as though for that 90 minutes, we truly were sitting in a Parisian restaurant. It was the most wonderful dining experience we have ever had. We will be back!

We had a beautiful experience here choosing the $95 set menu which included french onion soup, smoked salmon, barramundi, fillet steak and a strawberry dessert. All the food was sublime, cooked and seasoned to perfection. We did buy a bowl of fries which were served with the steak. I've a big appetite but did not leave hungry. The staff were attentive and helpful. The owner was kind enough to give us a few complimentary drinks once he knew it was our wedding anniversary which was very kind of him. Our bill was $232 with a few drinks which I feel given the quality of the food, service and restaurant as a whole represented great value. I would highly recommend the degustation menu and will be coming back the next time I'm in Melbourne. Great job guys you made our anniversary something very special, thank YOU.

Had a delightful catchup with Win Scott at this superb city establishment. We order from the quick lunch menu. Two courses plus a glass wine for $35 is sure to be amongst the best value offers for a restaurant of this quality in Melbourne. Linen table cloths and napkins. Attentive staff. The best part was the care and professionalism in the food. Small but delicious courses. Just so French modern.

Had the most beautiful meal here on Friday night. The food was completely faultless and our waiter was exceptional. I was dining with a French friend who had never been to this restaurant before but who was equally impressed.

The food was superb . The service let the place down. Waiters didn't know what was in the dishes or where the wine was from ......... I recommend the food.

From the french speaking staff, to the food, to the wine selection. The French Brasserie is our new favourite place! The degustation menu was exquisite and the wine pairing was perfect! Thank You for taking such good care of us last night..we will be back!

We had the degustation menu with the wine selection! Absolutely beautiful meal... et bien arrosé!! Best bouillabaisse and the snapper was perfect! Very friendly and professional staff. Merci beaucoup! ��

We had a great meal to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Our waitress was excellent as were all of the staff. Would definitely recommend. Lovely atmosphere along with very good food all in all great. Monday 17th April. Thank you for making our night a special one. We look forward to coming back Wendy and Anil

Great service, delicious food and very European vibe! Our server max was very friendly and prompt. The owner of the restaurant was very kind. Overall it was a great experience. Will be back for sure �

Completely divine and brilliant! 2-courses and a glass of wine express lunch for $35 (3 courses $45). Why is this place not completely packed? The service, attention to detail, divine french bagette and scumptiously plated food is well worth a visit, and lunch is one of Melbourne's best bargains!

One of Melbourne's best "hidden" gems. This place is a great any-classy occasion spot!

Brilliant service, food and amazing wine list. Highly recommend as you won't be disappointed

I had my 40th birthday here last night. We were welcomed with Kir Royal on the house and it just got better from there. Beautiful food, well thought through and priced wine list and staff that were attentive without being intrusive. Absolutely loved it and would go back. The parfait and snails are exceptional.

Great venue, atmosphere was spot on. Service was fantastic and we loved the food, highly recommend. Thank you.

I was in Melbourne last year and stopped in for a late lunch, what can I say from the excellent service to the delicious French food and the amazing wine list it was an awesome experience. Thanks so much and can’t wait to get back for another meal.

It is not surprising the winelist has been taken down from their website. The 2 french wines we drank (Ch Neuf-du-pape and Ch Margol) are marked up at 5 and 6 times retail. For a relatively new restaurant in the upper price range, trying to create a name for itself, such price gouging targeted at an unsuspecting public (the Aussie wines are reasonably priced) is an unusual and unacceptable tactic

Excellent food, prepared perfectly. The wine list was reasonably priced and of high quality. Staff were knowledgeable and service was prompt and efficient.

We had a lovely dining experience at the French Brasserie. It was great to see so many vegan options added to the menu! <br/><br/>We tried a 3 course meal, which was tasty and filling! The first course was deliciou pea soup with parsnip, fresh bread and olive oil. Next we had a warm salad with lots of root vegetables, mushrooms and a delicious dressing. For dessert, we had a poached pear with vegan carrot cake and chocolate on top. <br/><br/>The service and atmosphere there is divine! I will definitely be back to try their coffee and cocktails, as I've heard good things!

We went for a Friday lunch and it wasn't overly busy. We were warmly welcomed upon arrival and soon had a drink in our hands. The decor and ambience was very pleasant, and the French waitering staff were very attentive without being too pushy. The food was excellent and well prepared. We enjoyed our lunch very much.<br/><br/>For entrees we had the Hervey Bay Scallops served in their shells with cauliflower, hazelnuts and apple, and Burgundy Snails with garlic herb butter.<br/><br/>For mains we had the Toulouse-style Cassoulet, and Beef Cheek Bourguignon with sides of pomme frites and green beans. All the food was delicious. Could not fault the food or service.

A usual diner here for the set menu when I feel like a relaxed lunch. It’s a great French meal and great quality meat. Haven’t had an impressive dessert yet though.

I had been to the French Brasserie a number of times previously and absolutely loved it. So it made perfect sense for me to book this restaurant to celebrate my 50th birthday with my family. How disappointing therefore to have to leave a review such as this. In confirming the venue I was firstly disappointed that each time I called the restaurant to confirm numbers they appeared to be unclear about the booking. After a lot of explaining they eventually confirmed they had the booking. But I was left with the feeling that they did not necessarily have the booking. Even though as a large booking of 12 people I had to arrange a set menu at the venues request. I was quite willing to do this understanding that a large booking requires a restricted menu. We had arranged that a cake would be delivered prior to the booking and agreed to a cake cutting fee of $5 per person. All good. We delivered the cake an hour before the booking and were met with further uncertainty about who we were and that an arrangement to leave the cake was not in fact confirmed. We managed to sort that out. Upon arrival we were directed to a table at the back of the restaurant even though I had requested a table at the front of the upstairs area (the balcony table). Understanding that this table was never guaranteed, we politely sat at the table we were directed to. Upon being seated we were asked if we would like still or sparkling water. We ordered both. Neither came. We ordered from the restricted menu. The restaurant seemed to have difficulty remembering who ordered what. What followed was a folley of us trying to assist the wait staff with what had been ordered. The entrees arrived after 45 mins. The food was not fresh and not hot. There was a further wait for our main course. It was nearly a hour later. When it arrived, the food was not hot (actually it was cold). We finished our meals and afterwards asked that the birthday cake be deliver to the table which it was. The candles were lit and my family sang happy birthday. A high point. The wait staff the removed the cake to cut it. I asked at that point if we could order coffee to go with the cake. I was told that I would need to wait until the cake was delivered back to the table cut and we could then order coffee. To our astonishment, the cake was cut and delivered to a table nearby. The patrons at that table obviously advised the wait staff that this was not their cake. Upon which the staff simply took the cake from our neighbours table and placed it on ours. At this point we were drawing parallels to the British comedy series “Fawlty Towers”. Coffee eventually came. But long after the cake had been delivered via another table. All in all a spectacularly disappointing experience. I had been a fan of this restaurant prior to this night. Suffice to say I will never step foot in this restaurant again, nor will I recommend it to friends. Very poor form for a restaurant that seemingly prides itself on a good reputation. Or does it?

This establishment serves up authentic french cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. It is a quite setting , ideal for a long dinner and conversation with friends & family.<br/><br/>The staff all seems to be french as well, which is fun !<br/><br/>Our server steered us towards a Heathcote Shiraz for wine, which paired great with everyone's meal. This is nice as we were initially thinking we would get a Ch. d Pape - a logical French wine choice - so although they are a French restaurant, they do have a good selection of Australian wines and will recommend them if they think the pairing is right.

The French Brasserie lives up to what they say, it is relaxing, it does have soaring ceilings and vast glass expanses. The atmosphere is fantastic as the staff communicate with each other in French, speak to you with a smile and are always attentive. The scene is set.<br/><br/>We ordered the Salmon Niçoise which is a Tasmanian cured salmon with olives, green beans, tomatoes, salmon caviar, herb dressing and the Tomate Deux Façon which is chilled heirloom tomato consommé, tomato, summer squash with chèvre salad. Both entrees were delicious and executed with finesse. Delicate, tasty and impossible to fault. A real treat.<br/><br/>The mains were the Minute Steak which was a 230gm premium eye fillet with pommes frites, salad and red wine jus and the Coq au Vin Blanc which is marinated chicken breast, white wine and baby onion velouté with crispy baco. The minute steak was disappointing. It tasted amazing, but it was chewy to no end and hard to cut. A difficult meal to judge, considering every other element on the plate was flawless, but the main event. I expected better for the price. On the flip side, the marinated chicken breast was tender and filled with flavour, so not all was lost. <br/><br/>If it was a premium eye fillet, as I have learned from Gordon Ramsay, it should never had been chewy like this, it is a cut of meat that should be tender, especially when asked to be cooked medium to rare.<br/><br/>Dessert was next up with the Crème Brûlée and the Cafe et chocolat; what’s that you may ask? Well, it’s a milk chocolate caramel ganache with coffee liquor creme anglaise and vanilla ice cream. Both desserts were exceptional, perfect balance of sweetness and delighted the senses. A perfect way to end the night.<br/><br/>It’s a real shame that the French Brasserie couldn’t pull off a minute steak, at $46, it was not satisfactory with a restaurant like this. I visited Becco recently, I had a scotch fillet, ordered to be cooked the same and was delicate and easy to cut. Surely, it's not meant to be chewy and hard to cut? <br/><br/>I hope they listen to my feedback, as this minute steak is keeping the French Brasserie from reaching 5 stars.

The French Brasserie is a clear example of Melbourne’s wonderful food and wine scene.<br/><br/>It is in a small lane way; you don’t pass it on a busy street; you have to find it. Five minutes after sitting down, you feel like you’re in a quiet area of France. Wonderful for a short lunch or pre-theatre dinner or also perfect for a very long lunch or dinner. An interesting but not long or complicated a la carte menu or you can have a degustation lunch or dinner and for a lovely night out, go for the matching wines.<br/><br/>My friend and I recently had an Express lunch as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. We discovered to our surprise that the French Brasserie offers ‘express’ lunch and dinner all the time and it is anything but ‘express’.<br/><br/>We were warmly welcomed and had a leisurely two hour lunch. For the set lunch menu, a choice of about 3 dishes for each of entre, main and dessert.<br/><br/>My friend had a type of fish cakes, with a lovely sauce ( which was needed as the fish cake was a little dry).<br/><br/>I had superb large sardines with some veggies and salad for main and my friend, chicken and mushroom vol-a-vent . Both were perfectly cooked and well apportioned.<br/><br/>For my second course, I had a variant of a creme caramel and wow, it really felt like I was in France. A soupy and rich creme caramel, with a lovely waffle type of large brandy snap.<br/><br/>We finished the meal leisurely with very good coffee.<br/><br/>I’ll definitely be back. The ambience is great; not noisy; good French music and a small private dining area upstairs.Diverse and interesting French and Australian wine list.<br/><br/>Our waitress, Megane ( from France) was warm, attentive and not intrusive; a real professional.<br/><br/>Highly recommend.

Have to say this is possibly my favourite place in Melbourne right now. Real French vibe. The food is outstanding. We got 6 courses with matching wine and it was stunning. Stand out is between the snails and the beef tartar(with quail egg and sauce) absolutely mouth watering. Must try<br/><br/>

Dinner on a Friday night and this place was buzzing. We came for our booking at 8 and the place was practically full. They seated us in a nice cozy corner upstairs and gave us some water. After about 5 minutes of sitting at the table we had to call over a waiter to give us the menu which was no issue. There isn’t a huge variety so we didn’t spend too long looking. <br/><br/>For hors d’oeuvres we ordered the chicken liver parfait which came in a cute little saucepan. There was a lot of salad on the board and two small toasted bread pieces which was not the best ratio to the amount of parfait given but fear not, the waitress came around with butter and extra bread so we ate the rest of the parfait on that bread. <br/><br/>Entrees came soon after and we went for the escargot in herb butter and beef tartar. I cannot fault the beef tartar it was very enjoyable and whatever the white cream/sauce was on the plate was very yummy. The escargot was average and the tongs they provided were a little pathetic and had no grip but it didn’t stop me from eating the snails. <br/><br/>Now onto mains. I ordered the duck while the boy ordered the lamb. When the waitress came she mistakenly put the wrong dishes in front of us claiming that my duck was lamb but we made the easy switch after she left. For such a large plate it seemed a little on the dearer side of servings (or maybe I was just really hungry) but the duck was cooked nicely and went well with the beetroot. My only complaint was that the duck was not hot, I’m not sure if that’s how it was intended to be served but I typically like my meat served hot and this was just room temperature. The boy’s lamb was very disappointing. We don’t eat French often and also don’t order lamb but this lamb was extremely rare! So rare it could’ve hopped off the plate and had a drink with us. It was also not hot and had a lot of fat on it so the poor boy painstakingly finished his meal but not without complaint to me the entire time. <br/><br/>Overall it was a very average meal and honestly not worth how expensive it was (5 dishes + 3 drinks roughly $200) however the service was very good and attentive and the ambiance of the place was lovely. <br/><br/>15/02/2019

We went there for Saint Valentine and it was a set menu. The food wasn’t bad but it was far away to be impressive. The service when we arrived was good but during the dinner was so poor. Maybe it was for the day but the price was too high in relation with the food that we ate.

Went here for a function, French is not my thing anyway but for me it missed the mark. Things missing off the menu and it seemed a bit clumsy to me. Didn’t think the food was anything special either.

Tucked away in a side alley, this stylish and sophisticated restaurant is ideal for an important meal. <br/>The entree of snails were a must, the pesto sauce is delicious and ideal for dipping your bread in to. <br/>The creme brûlée is also a stand out, topped with a thin Eiffel Tower biscuit. <br/>

We had an excellent 6 course menu with matching wines tonight. Very generous with the pourings! The restaurant was a beautiful space, very modern but also very French and welcoming. The staff were very attentive and lovely and apologised profusely while we waited all of a minute for freshly baked bread! (I can wait for delicious fresh bread). The food was excellent, particular favourites were the duck, fish and brulee. But the others were equally as good. The tartare and sauce were also pretty awesome. The wine pairings were delicious and worked perfectly. Highly recommend!!

Atmosphere and service was great. We had a charming French waiter which was very gpod at his role. Food had amazing presentation. The starters including oysters and scallops were tasteful and elegant to look at. As for mains, the duck was a bit too raw in smell for me but could be good for someone who appreciates that and the chicken was OK. The creamy potatoes were very tasty. All in all the atmosphere, food presentation and service made this experience something special. Also was good value on price and we had full tummies which is a big plus for a fine dining restaurant.

Came here twice, had amazing experience for both visits. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, nice atmosphere, it is one of the best French restaurants in Melbourne. I don’t normally like snails, but they can cook it nicely. I also love their duck breast and foie gras.

We discovered this gem on spec looking for dinner in Melbourne. Very friendly welcoming staff; lovely ambience; attentive service and delicious food. We chose the menu which was excellent value and then added on dessert and coffee. The strawberry tart is absolutely superb! Will definitely dine there again.

Degustation menu was well executed. The long pause between courses perhaps could have been shortened. The only course i didnt really get on with was the soup, but luckily there were many well executed courses which followed.

The best thing going for this place is the wait staff, very pleasant and efficient. The food was not so pleasing, onion soup was very sweet, cassoulet was very dry and partners bourguinon was warm at best and needed an extra couple of minutes in the microwave. Oh, another positive, the wine was ok.

Enjoyed dinner at The French Brasserie last night for my brothers birthday. The service from the moment we stepped inside was impeccable. The attention to detail, care and professionalism were outstanding. Throughly enjoyed the food. The minute steak, confit duck leg and fish were all superb. The lemon tart was absolutely delicious. I look forward to returning and sampling more of the menu. <br/>It’s the small gestures like a complementary drink on arrival and a special ‘Happy Birthday’ message that truly make an evening stand out. Thank you for a most wonderful evening.

Ooh la la !! Food service and vibe was second to none!! Our waitress what a doll, so helpful and friendly even de shelling our snails ! We had snails to start - the sauce oh my , I feel like Manu saying that! Minute steak was the main and I was expecting thin slither instead four big eye fillet pieces , with fries and salad and we got the scallop potato too. All delicious and perfectly cooked . The dessert was a noughat ice cream with moose and was fabulous as well! Would highly recommend and most certainly return ! Thanks for a great lunch !<br/>

We went to The French Brasserie today for the express lunch ($35 with a glass of wine).  Greeted warmly at the door and taken to a roomy table for four.  The service was efficient & our waitress had a great sense of humor :) Two of our party had the cauliflower soup for entree which they said was amazing.  My highlight was the lemon tart (these dishes had much fancier names in French on the menu).  The serving sizes were definitely generous.  I will definitely be coming back again - I must try the Bouef Bourguignon Wednesday special.

Been having my family gathering here for the past few years whenever they visit Melbourne and we've never been disappointed, quality food as always, but their hospitality is champ! Steak tartares a go to, their minute steak is tender as love, great staff service and we love the boss Hadj as well. Exceptional man. It's like coming home to see an old friend.

Staff were very friendly and accommodating to my non-French (or is it French-pas) requests. Easy to be dazzled by the lovely decor and ambience, but at the end of the day what really matters is the food and the wine.. Unfortunately Le Brasserie Francaise did not deliver in either.. The steak was very average, as were the Rillettes. I was also really looking forward to a good French wine offering but neither the Chablis nor the Beaujolais (recommended) were great wines<br/><br/>To verify my review, I was with a genuine Frenchman who said that both the service and the food was sub par... Olives and bread were lovely though! Cool cool

Great service and loved the drinks. The entrees were amazing and great food. My first time trying the beef tartare and Im addicted. The potato side dish was extremely salty and dessert were average. Overall it was a lovely dinner.

Attended a friend’s birthday here a while ago. We were seated comfortably upstairs. Had difficulty understanding the waitress’ French accent through noone’s fault. Food was good but not memorable

Great service, our waitress was personable and energetic. We ordered the beef tartare, the onion soup, the Angus steaks and Creme brûlée. The food was great, especially the tartare. I’ve had better Creme brûlées as this one was a bit eggy.

Best Gluten Free bread ever! <br/>Duck was to die for, need to visit again.<br/>Staff were welcoming and very helpful for dietary issues 😊👍<br/>An absolute must for anyone who loves French cuisine!

The food was great, but the french waiters spent too much time playing opposed to being waiters. The poor service really annoyed myself and my dining companions. I won't go back.

Early Friday evening dinner for two.<br/>Despite a very friendly welcome and quick seating, the table service was mediocre given that the restaurant was only about 30% full and there appeared a more than adequate number of staff on the floor.<br/>Having to request a menu rather than have it promptly provided is not good enough. To then have to go to the bar to request a wine list after sitting unattended for an unreasonable period, is poor.<br/>Dishes chosen somehow "rebalanced" the experience. Caesar salad and Pork Terrine for starters and Confit Duck  and Salmon for mains. Excellent dishes.<br/>Smart wine list without an overwhelming number of choices.

Absolutely awesome!!!! I love this place. Absolutely a food indulgence experience. Service is awesome. A true french dining experience... strongly recommend. Def the best french place in mel.

Fantastic food, fantastic service and an incredible atmosphere. Couldn’t have gone to a better restaurant on our first night in Melbourne. <br/><br/>We ordered the crustacean stew, the French onion soup and a steak. The deserts are to die for. <br/><br/>Highly recommend

Came here for a work Christmas function. Food and service both excellent. 3 course menu option with an abundance of champagne...what more could you want?

I had the best service experience that I've ever had at a restaurant at The French Brassiere. Everything was so French, I loved it. <br/><br/>The food was classically French. I tried the tartare for entree and the duck as my.main. Both dishes were on point. The tartare was possibly a tad better than my duck. <br/><br/>To.finish the meal I had the chocolate sphere which was okay. It looked more impressive than it tasted. It's pricey, but worth a visit for a special occasion.

Gastrology were privileged to participate in a culinary tour of Melbourne's most well-known laneway restaurants as part of the Victorian Government's Food and Beverage Trade Week. The event took place yesterday evening (Tuesday, 10 October). . Each year, the Victorian Government brings international buyers, influencers and key decision makers from around the world to Victoria to experience the best of the state's food, fibre and beverage offerings.

Not usually a big fan of French food, nor fancy over the top foodie stuff but this was epic! The fish was perfect, the sauce was amazing, the prosciutto was great, even loved the strange foam! Excellent wine selection as well.

My boyfriend and I happened upon The French Brasserie completely by accident, but what a happy accident it was.<br/><br/>The French Brasserie had a lovely classy atmosphere. The staff were all French, which is nice when in a French restaurant. They were very friendly and attentive, keeping our wine glasses filled.<br/><br/>For starters I ordered the escargots, which I had never tried before but always wanted to. The waiter showed me how to eat them, which was good as I had no idea. They were in a garlic butter and were tres tasty! My boyfriend had the French onion soup and said it was very nice.<br/><br/>For main course I ordered the cassoulet, which is a white bean ragout with confit duck, pork belly and sausage. It was hearty and very warming. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My boyfriend had the filet de boeuf which was served with brown rice, king brown mushrooms, pickles and a red wine jus. He really enjoyed it and he presentation was superb.<br/><br/>We had a bottle of the Bellefontaine Sauvignon Blanc which was a lovely wine.<br/><br/>I would definitely recommend The French Brasserie as we had a lovely experience. Lovely wait staff and great food!

Still such a great venue that has survived the influx of 'hot' new venues as they come and go. Sadly the concept hasn't held up as well. Whilst there is always room for a modern French brasserie, this one seems out of touch. Service is Lygon St pushy, whilst prices are Crown casino tourist trap high. Food quality has dropped considerably since last visit and overall it just doesn't seemed as loved as before. Sad.

I have been to the French Brasserie several times in past years and the food and service has always been impeccable and so I booked again for myself and a friend and honestly the cassoulet was atrocious tasteless beans mostly with 1 thin slice of sausage and 1 think slice each of poultry and pork. I have tasted cassoulet in the Brasserie before and it has always been moist but this time it was so dry and tasteless. For dessert we had the Cafe Gourmand which was served with a cup of coffee and 1 tasteless floury biscuit with a mostly burnt dry tiny canneles and an even tinier macaroon. Pathetic. Don't think I will return to the French Brasserie again. Sad because it has always been our favourite French eatery in the city. The staff were very good and friendly so that was the only good  experience for us.

Bonjour! Je adore this place!! Honestly, I would have left the restaurant a happy girl after entree. That sauce with the escargots was delicious!! Add some butter and chicken liver parfait on bread and then dip it into that sauce 😭 my god, I was in food heaven. We got carried away with the bread and sauce that the manager refused to feed us more bread 😂 He had to remind us to save room for our mains and desserts 😅. For mains, we ordered the eye fillet, accompanied with sides of broccoli and mushrooms and we were recommended to try their special. Every dish was cooked very well. The jus on the eye fillet was good. The dessert ended on a high! The service was beyond my expectations. I loved the vibe and the waitress was the sweetest girl! We even got complimentary glasses of wine to end the night. The only negative thing I have to say is that some of the escargots were just empty shells so we felt a little ripped off. Other than that, everything was perfect. I would definitely recommend the french brasserie to friends and family. I already want to go back!

Just a spontanious decision took us back again, this time for lunch. No booking. Just a walk in off the street, but we were readily accommodated.<br/><br/>Service is very good although i remembered the nightime staff being, perhaps, a little more engaging.<br/><br/>The menu is comprehensive with a strong French influence. There is sufficient variety to satisfy most palates with good presentation and well prepared fare. I have a personal weakness for their onion soup which, i must say, they do very well.<br/><br/>The wine list is good with adequate brand/varietal choice. Pricing may surprise you though.<br/><br/>The decor is simply and rustic which hints at the backlane bistro's of France.<br/><br/>Look, its a good restaurant and certainly one that we are happy to return to. Recommended.

This place is situated down an Alley way off Flinders lane, so its rather secluded. The ambiance is extremely nice, so is the service and most of the staff seem to be French, which is nice.<br/>The food here was amazing, the steak and pork were cooked to perfection, the wine was amazing and the desserts were to die for.<br/>We spent about $500 for 4 people and it was worth every cent

Classic French bistro. Flawless food and service with an astonishingly comprehensive wine list. This isn't cutting edge nor groundbreaking molecular gymnastics. It's just simple and perfect

This place was just amazing. It was mine and my husband's first time eating French food, and we couldn't have picked a better restaurant. We ordered the steak tartare, which I found blended perfectly with the side of French fries. We also ordered escargot to share, which was served with the most delicious herb and garlic butter. Complimented with a crisp white wine and a very friendly waiter (who even satisfied my very non-French husband's request for tomato sauce for his fries). We will be back!

First time visit and pretty happy with everything here. Friendly service n decent food, no wonder full house at Monday night. Onlion soup was rich and tasty while the interesting tomato salad very refreshing. Also the outputs is must try. Overall, an nice dinning exp at this french place.

While French cuisine is very prominent throughout Melbourne, there are only a select few restaurants that really stand out from the rest. The French Brasserie is one of these restaurants and is also the first restaurant I think of when looking for French cuisine in the CBD. With a history of good food, events and lovely decor, The French Brasserie has made itself into one of the most popular French restaurants in Melbourne.

This restaurant is one of Melbournes gems, serving up some of the finest French cuisine. I would rate it a 4 but what puts it at a 4.5 is the amazing service of the Maître d' whose service is second to none in my opinion.

Booked there for a birthday and the service was formidable! The food is wonderful and at a very reasonable price. The ambiance of the restaurant is very comfortable and the decoration is awe-inspiring.

Reading other people's review, I suspect we had an unusually disappointing experience here.  We were seated 30 minutes after arriving (we were on time), so were only at our table at 9pm.  I'm not a fan of the 2 seating times, finding  the times too early or late to eat, so it being delayed wasn't a great start.  They kindly gave us some complimentary drinks while we were waiting for the table, which was a nice touch.  However, after arriving at the table we struggled to get service or food.  As it was late and we were very hungry, we asked for bread twice, which eventually arrived with our entree an hour later.  No-one seemed very attentive to us and we had to ask for menus, to order, etc.  Eventually our mains arrived at 10.30pm.  By then, some of us were feeling a bit grumpy about the service and how late it all was.  The food was fine, but in my opinion, when you go to a relatively expensive restaurant, it's the experience, not just the food that determines the quality of the restaurant.

What can i say abt this resto? I realize that maybe this is one of the best rating ive ever given to a resto, because basically everything (the food) during our dinner last night was AWESOME and the service was EXCELLENT. We enjoyed our dinner thorougly, and even though our table was the noisiest as we have a baby girl that was trying to poo and a 3yo that was on sugar rush, the waiter and other guests was very calm and didnt even once give us any annoyed face. And the owner/manager came to our table to play a bit with our baby girl which made us feel very welcomed. In the end we found a small plastic/glad wrap inside of one of the pate on my charcuterie, and the waiter straight away brought back the bill and take out charcuterie from it, outstanding service. We gave quite generous tips in the end, more than the charcuterie itself :) <br/>definitely will go back and try their other food.

I honestly can not think of a single thing about my experience that wasn't an absolute joy. <br/><br/>The service was crisp and attentive (I never had an empty glass for very long) but informal and the staff all knew the menu and had plenty of opinions that genuinely seemed to stem from wanting me to have a good time.<br/><br/>The food was entirely on point - I had the onion soup (no, I won't try and spell it in French) for entree and it was delicious and hearty without being syrupy. Too often this is either a tasteless dish of onion water or so think that I'm full before I finish the starter. This place got it right.<br/><br/>The eye fillet special was cooked to perfection - and the jus was exactly the right consistency. The side was asparagus and .. something .. if I had to guess, it was like a matting made of mashed pea. It was sublime. The citrusy taste cut through the protein and balanced the dish nicely. If there is a text book of what medium rare means, you'll find a little picture of my steak.<br/><br/>For desert the 'spiced strawberry' dish was heaven and I'm so glad I chose it over the more traditional creme brûlée I would have usually gone for (although I'm sure it was delightful too!).<br/><br/>Wrapped up with champagne, red wine, dessert wine, and a port with my coffee it was an overall outstanding dining experience and I will be back many more times.<br/><br/>To all the team - well done!

Enjoyable evening with mixed quality food and service on the slow side. Often the wait staff seemed to be rushing around doing nothing.<br/><br/>My French onion soup was excellent but my minute steak was just average. Others in our group thought the pate was excellent but the duck was just OK.<br/><br/>It was a busy night so perhaps that explains the haphazard service.

If you are looking for a taste of France, make your way down to The French Brassiere. We had the absolute pleasure of dining there last Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The exceptionally warm, friendly and attentive service from the front of house team was backed up with great tasting traditional French fare from the kitchen. It was like spending a night in France without having to deal with the jet lag! Many thanks again to you all for a memorable evening.

The French Brasserie is a good restaurant . The decor is modern and understated and it is in a group of good restaurants in a lane off Flinders Lane . Plenty of parking nearby or easy access to the tram in Collins St or train at Parliament Station .<br/><br/>The food was typical French fare with something for everyone on the menu . The four of us tried different choices starting with the terrine plate , chicken pate , French onion soup and steak tartare . Everyone enjoyed the entries which all had plenty of flavour .<br/><br/>The mains were just as good with our choices including the Duck , Fillet Steak , and the Lamb rump (special ) . The deserts were also very good . <br/><br/>Service was a attentive without being overbearing , although it was a little difficult at times to understand our waitress who had a very heavy French accent . <br/><br/>All in all very good value for money and a good selection for a quiet dinner with friends ....... Bon apatite

First night in Melbourne, the food is really nice. The tasting plate was very tasty and so was the French onion soup as entrees. The mains were still quite good but the entrees were probably the highlight for myself. Friendly staff and nice atmosphere. The entrees are quite large and filling which lead to us struggling to finish our mains.

Had a great meal here last night. Amazing food, great service, lovely ambience.<br/>Have wanted to try this place out for a long time and it didn't disappoint.

I haven't had such a mixed experience at a restaurant in such a long time. My birthday dinner here was so volatile, I'm unsure how to rate it. Anyhow, we were a large group and ordered a lot, three bottles of wine (cote du rhone red which was ace) and plenty of food.<br/>The food was hit and miss at times. What was good: escargos, oysters, charcuterie (with delicious flavors especially the pate). I actually have to rate their house bread which was surprisingly AMAZING! Mains we had the fish , steak and duck. They were all done perfectly and precisely, especially the duck. The sides was a bit average, pomme frites and salads vertes was a bit mediocre and the steak tartar on this instance felt like it was lacking a little seasoning. Desserts I rated the creme brulee of the lot. There are all French staff which adds a little bit of authenticity if you care about that. The service was my main issue here as there was a huge disconnect to our allocated waiter and every other part of the restauarant. There were multiple times where our waiter forgot to get simple things like an extra wine glass, an extra sauce for our steaks, or our order in general. We knew it was just this guy as the kitchen was visibly frustrated with him also. The front of staff/ floor manager however was an absolute gun.<br/>We were discreetly quite disappointed with the level of service at this point, and he noticed and tried to tide things over and rebuild rapport. Without any suggestions, after it was obvious they had forgotten our dessert order and our table were sitting dumbfounded.. he took the initiative and comped us the full desserts (added more to what we ordered) and threw in an extra aperatifs. What would have been disastrous turned into understanding and acceptable. It takes a well experienced floor manager to pick up the pulse of a restaurant and its patrons so kudos to him.<br/>Overall I'll be back for another shot, the food was still good.

Went here for my Friend's birthday over the weekend. <br/><br/>The actual place itself is great, it has a good atmosphere, spacious, and the staff were incredibly friendly. <br/><br/>Food was not only delicious, it was also hearty, and generous... Although I did see a table share their entire meals between them, I hope they weren't complaining about volume. The table were too full for desert, would love to try desert next time<br/><br/>The owner was cheeky, easy to get along, and has some awesome tales of his establishment.

Still an effortless 4.5 for me. I continue to believe that the French Brasserie is underrated. I’ve eaten here five times now for five excellent experiences. Had the lunch special again. A steal at under $40. My rillette was superb. My salmon equally superb. Add a lovely space and decor and polite, efficient and affable staff and you’ve got a winning combination. I can barely find fault. I love it.<br/><br/><br/>28 July 2016<br/><br/>My third visit here on 28 July and a third great experience. The restaurant is nicely tucked away in a lane. It's a pleasant and simply decorated space that pleases the eye. I had the lunch special which was excellent and good value for money. Entree was a mushroom soup. Main course was salmon. Both were outstanding and very tasty indeed. The accompanying one glass of wine I had was a chardonnay and rather nice it was too. The staff were great. Pleasant, efficient and throughly professional with an authentic French accent thrown in. Our main server was just superb. A gorgeous happy bright eyed beauty from western France. She could not have done a better job and I showered praise on her as we left. I couldn't have been happier and my companion felt similarly. This is a really nice place. They do what they do extremely well and at reasonable prices. As a result, it will continue to be a must place to eat.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Previous visit 5 months ago<br/><br/>Went today for lunch. Nice little restaurant/bistro. Pleasant little space part way down a lane. The lunch special for $35 was good value I thought. I had the terrine for entree and fish for main with a glass of Chardonnay. The food and wine were lovely. Service was quite good too. Water was tipped up regularly and interactions were pleasant. Nice to hear some French accents. I would very happily return here.

An amazing time was had here!<br/>The French Brasserie is tucked away on Malthouse Lane off of Flinders Lane. I had the most superb time, thank you to all the staff that made my belated birthday dinner a very special one. <br/>We had the 5 course degustation, with half a dozen of oysters. Each plate was made to perfection. <br/>I absolutely adored the creme brulee to finish the night. It was not too sweet, and had the perfect crack. <br/>The addition of the French-speaking waiters just made the experience all the more enjoyable. Merci beaucoup! :)

Nice setting with good honest French food. I went for the eye fillet steak, was delicious. Great wine selection and extremely friendly and helpful staff

Honest French Brasserie that is consistent and fair value. Staff are mostly French which adds to the ambiance. He wine list is better than most and all the usual culprits are represented on the menu

Enjoyed a great night from start to finish at this restaurant. The food was first class as well as the atmosphere, drinks and service. Restaurant was recommended to us and we have no hesitation in recommending it on.

Quoi de mieux qu'un bon retour au source, c'est une ambiance de brasserie parisienne avec un staff français on si croirai. Un repas dégustation fabuleux avec un accord mets et vins une soirée formidable. Un rapport qualité/prix un peu excessif mais sur la finalité une bonne prestation. See u soon...

Located off Flinders Lane between Exhibition and Russell Street, there is lots of longstanding popular dining options in the vicinity such as Chin Chin, Cumulus Inc. and Fonda Mexican.<br/><br/>We came here for a FoodSocial event. We were not only able to try delicious French cuisine, but also given the privilege to meet the head chef.

Fantastic place, we will definitely back, perhaps next time for dinner. The oysters and snails were so very good! Service is impeccable and just the right amount of attentive

French food and it's finest. Anything and everything from entree to main to their exquisite desserts are to die for. Service is impeccable. Staff are great. Wine and champagne list are amazing.

Perfect! <br/>Compliments to Edward + and his team :) <br/>The only thing missing tonight was the escargot...the staff were great, the food was delicious, love this place.

Tucked down a lane way this restaurant feels very private and intimate. The staff were very professional and generous, treating our table with extra wine on the house! For entree we had the mussels which were a delight, and the duck and eye fillet for main were cooked perfectly. However, one of our steaks was well done instead of rare (perhaps we were misheard when ordering because everything else was spot on!). A bit on the pricey side at $40 a main, but worth it if you can! A very sweet little restaurant and would recommend it :)

Mr D decided to surprise me for my birthday dinner and since I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE french food, he took me to The French Brassarie (Yayers!!!), a hidden gem tucked away in Melbourne. When we walked inside, we were welcomed instantly and was shown to our table. It was quite warm inside and very dark. There were little lights but they were so dim, I had to shove the menu in my face to read it (damn, should have brought my flash light). That was probably the only negative thing I could say because from that point on, everything was awesome. We got the charcuturie board because I wanted a little bit of everything and it also includes foie gras (YUMMO!). Everything on the board was DELISH! I was going to town with it!

A nice French restaurant off flinders lane. Staff all french and very friendly. We've been served complimentary glasses of bubbly - very nice of the restaurant manager. They want to make sure we're having a goid time and we actually did. The food is reasonbaly good. We had the duck, the fillet minong and the fish fillet. I quite liked all of these but next time I would try the steak for sure.

Such an impressive space! All the staff were actually French, the food was excellent; tuna, avocado and pear salad for entree, grilled Travelli with olives for mains (my choice of having fish twice) and creme brûlée for desert. Devine! The staff were professional and great.

A little hidden gem off exhibition street in the CBD, the French brasserie was authentic French. From the French chefs to the service staff(who were pretty happy to talk about their hometowns in France), rig down to the simplistic and elegant, but hearty food. We were there for a birthday celebration and had two little ones with us. They were fantastic with the kids and very informative of the menu. We had escargots, the special entrée for the day( which was a pumpkin velouté), the chicken liver parfait and oysters to start with. They were fantastic. Oysters were very fresh. Chicken liver parfait was perfect and pink. Downside was that they served the parfait with two miserable slices of bread. Fortunately, we were able to ask for more but was sort of a nuisance as we kept getting refills of two pieces each time, although they could clearly see that 3 adults were sharing the entrees. The velouté was amazingly smooth and not overly sweet. The escargots were baked in a beautiful herb and garlic butter sauce. Perfection. For mains we had the eye fillet and scotch fillet steak, served with your choice of sauce, both were so tender it melted it your mouth. The beef jus that was served with the eye fillet was strong and full of flavour. What a good jus should be like. On the other hand the bearnaise that was served with the scotch fillet was light and buttery. Just perfect. Both steaks were served with salad and chips. Another main we had was the cassoulet which had too much beans in our opinion with two pieces of sausage, a small piece of pork belly and 2 tiny pieces of duck confit. It was finished with a ton of breadcrumbs and well, it just wasn't our favourite to say the least. Price and taste wise. The sad thing is, we werent allowed to have our birthday cake cut in the restaurant. So, we had asked them to keep the cake in the fridge instead. We get that they werent really happy with the cake situation but the least they could do was keep it away nicely. When we got our cake back, the zumbo plastic bag we originally had was replaced with a grey ugly looking Coles plastic bag and the box was clearly squashed, as though they had placed something heavy on it. To our surprise when we opened it, the birthday plaque on the cake was shattered due to the force put on it. And the top of the cake had smudged on the lid of the cake box. Our zumbo cake which we had paid so much money for was ruined. Didn't wanna make a scene as it was a nice dinner and didn't wanna spoil the good birthday mood. So we just left. If not for that, this placed would have deserved a higher rating. Overall, nice food, reasonable prices, friendly-ish service.

Great continental food ... Pricy but hey.. It's French!<br/>Good service and a decent wine list. Definitely a place to try out in the CBD ......

The host Hadj is one of the most dynamic operators I've ever encountered. <br/>Not having experienced French food outside of France, visiting here took me back to the family trip back in 2012. <br/>Food, wine and atmosphere was simply amazing.

I travel to France 3 or 4 times per year - this place serves poor food that is over-priced and has dreadful service! The French staff think they are still in Paris - not recognizing we had a French speaker at the table, they were rudely shouting at eachother across the restaurant - just embarrassing!! Do yourself a favour, eat somewhere else!!

The French Brasserie is amazing. What a fantastic restaurant. Fabulous French food and superb customer service.<br/>My husband and I went here for my husband's birthday. The food was amazing. We had the tasting plate to start with terrine, chicken parfait etc. We were really interested to try the beef tartare which we did. Well we both loved it. It had great flavours and was delicious especially for raw meat. <br/>We had the ragout and duck a l'orange for mains. The flavours were exceptional. The food was well presented and so tasty. <br/>Our waitress was a pleasure. She assisted with our menu choices and provided great customer service. I could rave about this place. The French food was just so good. Love love love it!!

Fantastic little place in Melbourne. Beautiful French food in a lovely classy restaurant. Friendly staff.... pretty sure they were ALL french! adding to the wonderful atmosphere! With many lovely wines and cocktails to choose from to accompany all the food.... Just remember to leave room for dessert and an aperitif!

Excellent service, delicious food and very authentic.<br/><br/>Will definitely be back! <br/><br/>Here are some more arbitrary words because of the minimum character requirement. Please ignore.

I've had dinner at the French Brasserie at least 4 times, including last weekend. It's an excellent place for a romantic dinner with your partner. The food on the menu is great and, as a French man I can confirm, very authentic. The staff is always very attentive and friendly. Loved the Mont Blanc beer as well.

Not like I eat snails very often, but these were the best Escargot I have ever had. Plenty of garlic without the oily after taste and enough to soak up a second serving of bread.<br/><br/>Perfectly cooked duck and a dessert to die for. Would again for a special occasion, thanks again for the exceptional service The French Brasserie - quality feed!

Very overrated and expensive. The staff made sure that we were steered away from the lunch specials of 2 courses for $35.00 and forced to order from the a la carte menu. I have never eaten such inedible rabbit and the same can be said for the duck that my husband ordered. We will never return. <br/>

Visited once again, the third time, Monday night.The place was not busy but just enough to give a nice buzz. Staff were exceptional and wine advice very professional<br/>Entre was a Croque de Boeff which was tasty and included Oxtail paste and  Onion soup which was very very good with all the right flavours and textures<br/>Mains were cassoulet and Duck Roti. The cassoulet was overcooked and dry so had little flavour left. The Duck was perfect. My partner finished with a beautifull soufle.I Ihave been here 3 times and this is the first time I have had a problem with the food. I will come back again because the overall experience is very good.

A rather posh restaurant popular with the corporate set near the Paris end of Collins Street, The French Brasserie enjoys loyal custom from the surrounding office buildings. It's tucked away behind 101 Collins, off Flinders Lane, down the same alleyway which hosts Eau De Vie. If you find yourself near The French Brasserie, then make it a point to visit E.D.V. for a pre-meal aperitif or a post-meal tipple.

Overall Somewhat Disappointing. Although we rather like the décor the tables are very small (for 4) so one cannot really relax being constantly in fear of knocking over a glass - it is a hassle finding room for everything needed. Also there seemed to be some -possibly bogus- attempt at creating a busy brasserie feel and I wasn’t entirely convinced all the shouting and clattering by the staff was really necessary: it was certainly jarring! The escargots were very small (probably the smaller petit-gris style than the plumper variety usually on offer in French restaurants around town) but they did come with a lovely garlic & parsley sauce. The Cassoulet was a good dish: came out piping hot, and the confit of duck inside was lovely (although the ‘’Toulouse’’ sausage was bland). As for the straight Duck Breast dish, everyone was disappointed: two small slivers of well undercooked breast (more blood red than pink), little in the way of accompaniments on the plate although again the sauce that came with it was enjoyed by all. <br/> <br/>There are so many decent brasseries in France but somehow we don’t see to manage it in Oz very often. Part of the problem is the prices being charged here: when you pay $40+ for a dish (plus frites $8, same again for a vegetable side) you do expect the service/food to be pretty much spot-on. Cannot say it was in this case sadly and we are unlikely to return.

Excellent meal and service. A few nights ago I attended The French Brasserie for a work dinner function and I have to say it was simply super - the food, wine and service were wonderful. Last year this was not necessarily the case at the same function. So well done and congratulations on the massive improvement and thank you for a divine evening.

Not worth it. I was really looking forward to checking this place out but when I went for lunch during the week I was very disappointed.<br/><br/>No one was in here during lunch time on a Wednesday. My partner and I were the only people besides one other table. Because the layout of this place is quite small and narrow, it just felt awkward being one of two tables. I felt like I was on display and that I couldn't have a private conversation without it being heard by the staff. It was the most awkward set up. <br/><br/>We did the express lunch that comes with wine. The waitress did not pour our glasses of wine from a bottle, but rather a dirty looking glass carafe. She told us that only white house wine was our choice with the express lunch. <br/><br/>The food was very boring and did not satisfy my taste buds. I had the salmon, which was actually partially raw. It was such a small piece of salmon, so I have no idea how it wasn't cooked fully. Also, we were the only table at this point, so I really don't understand how the chef made such an error. If it was super busy I might understand, but it wasn't. <br/><br/>Lastly, the waitress asked us if we wanted dessert (which wasn't part of our express menu option) but I already told her beforehand that my partner and I can't eat sugar. The waitress then replied "well, if you change your mind..", which I found to be insensitive and obnoxious. <br/><br/>In conclusion, it was a very pricey lunch which left me unsatisfied and I felt uncomfortable throughout the whole experience. I honestly would never go back again. There's much better options elsewhere.

The French Brasserie is a restaurant located at 2 Malthouse Lane, just off Flinders street. I have mentioned it in passing a few times however to my surprise I haven’t yet written about an experience there. This post is an attempt to make up for the oversight. First off, the customer service is wonderful. The manager Hadj and his staff fantastic at making everyone feel welcome, whether you are a regular or it is your first time. Every time Daisy and I have eaten there we almost feel like a member of the family rather than patrons at a restaurant. They have special set menus throughout the year, such as Bastille Day and Valentines Day, and we have had our valentines day meals there for the past two years and I see no end to that tradition. The restaurant also has special pre-theatre meals during the week, and being located so close to theatres and the Cinema Kino makes them a good starting point for a night on the town. Last night Daisy and I had the 3 course Cassoulet, with Kir Royal o

Melbourne’s Paris end is a fitting location for a classic French dining spectacle, but you won’t find flamboyant frogs at the French Brasserie. Instead, this understated venue quietly goes about the business of delivering quality French fare and calm, professional service. Tucked down Malthouse Lane, the unassuming location conceals a lofty setting that’s dramatic in its simplicity.

Enjoyed a delightful dinner. Friendly service. Delicious food. The kitchen felt a little slow. Free dessert wine when we paid for our bill.

Continuing on my French winter graze around Melbourne, I was invited to lunch at the French Brassiere housed in a beautiful glasshouse at 2 Malthouse Lane in the CBD. The last time I was here was at a very extravagant lunch when it used to be The Italian. It was unusally quiet for a Friday, compared to a bustling lunch at France Soir the day before. We had a cosy private table by the bar with a view into the kitchen. We began our meal with the Escargot, I have a slight fear eating these since the time I was at Bouchon in Bendigo and one slipped out and flew across the otherside of the restaurant! I'm now always extra cautious when picking up these slippery suckers up! These were well done, tasty morsels in the traditional garlic & parsley sauce. We then had the traditional Steak Tartare, again it was well presented and a very moreish appetiser. It wasn't as big as some other entree sizes I've had before at other French restaurants, but it was just enough for the two bits of thin cruste

smooth and fine, incredibly flavoursome and went brilliantly with the smoky luscious trout mousse. I enjoyed the little pockets of fragrant herb oil.

My thickly cut tender yearling eye fillet was seared to a firm crust on its surface yet carved smoothly like pate under my knife. An elegant smear of ruby red beetroot purée gave a hint of sweetness to the delicate meat. It was exactly what I felt like

A chocolate lover’s dream dish. Chocolate galore. In all forms and shapes. For a not-as-big-as-chocolate-enthusiast like myself, tea would have been great to help tone down the chocolate.

If you haven’t tried ‘Escargot’ before, then try it! Yes they’re snails, but it’s not just a lark for me to eat them anymore and they’re done fantastically well here. The highlight of this meal was the Pork. Cooked to perfection with the lightest crackling I’ve ever had. The Mandarin Sorbet was particularly tasty. As far as wine goes, we tried a random Aromatic French, which was delicious.. The desert wines (which I think I have received as complimentary on every visit) are described as ‘Charlie’s Secret Recipe.’ To unveil the secret, it’s a Moscato with blackcurrant liquor: extremely Tasty. I can’t recommend this place enough really. If there is a downside, it’s that it can be a costly feed, so not somewhere I can afford on a weekly basis. Maybe... fortnightly.. Or as soon as possible!

It was deliciously light with the orange cutting through the full fat (could taste it was full fat!) and decadent creamy creme fraiche.

Yummy+2, refined flavours with a solid show of finesse, and not to mention superb service.

While it wasn’t bad bad, there are better brasserie-type restaurants in Melbourne (and in the CBD alone). All of them provide food which may be textbook French food, yet still manage to satisfy and their portions are big enough to not have us running to Bread Top or Maccas for supper. I guess the only reason I’d recommend a

I am glad the sons didn’t acquire a taste for oysters until they left home or it might have made quite a hole in the housekeeping budget. Along with me, they couldn’t see past the natural oysters in the trio of entrees. The Spouse reported on an excellent

Lovely dinner. I've always enjoyed this restaurant, and had a very nice dinner here this week. The staff are very friendly and the food was delicious. My companion and I opted for three entrees, the Charcuterie (which included the most devine pate), the Tartare de bœuf and the Moules à la provençale - mussels in a delicious tomato based broth. We followed up with a nice assortment of French cheeses. I would highly recommend this for a very pleasant night out.

I'm a little reluctant to vote 'Don't Like It' as the service really was very good & the staff lovely, but sadly the food let it down.<br/><br/>We tried the pre-theatre 3 course menu & sadly it was highly underwhelming. After spending quite some time in France this year I was excited to have my food memories reignited but this simply didnt happen.<br/><br/>The potato salad, beef pattie & chocolate mousse were all dishes that I probably could've whipped up at home with my eyes closed & sadly lacked any sort of love or passion. That said, the creme brûlée was very nice.<br/><br/>Perhaps it would be worth a visit provided you stick to the standard ala carte menu?

Don't bother - poor service and medicore food. Service was appalling, we waited an hour for mains and had to seek out the waitress for drinks. Then we were overcharged with meals from another table. There are plenty of pubs in the area that could dish up eye fillet and salmon dishes at more reasonable prices.

Unfortunate is the way I describe this place,<br/>it has great potential obviously good chefs in back great waiters in front but too expensive and arrogant service from Edge" the owner...? what a jerk! I see the waiters giving me a knowing roll of the eyes when he leaves another table so he could smooth some richer clients coming in the door! literally dropping everything to suck up to some people who looked important to him.. between 4 of us we spent $650 , unfortunately small tables mean clutter, so you cannot get a top up of wine, we had to do that ourselves, no water after the entre because no room etc....<br/>I knew edges many years ago and I am sure he will be waiting tables soon if he runs this place like this...........

Love. The french staff are so friendly and informative! Our meals couldn't have been more delicious.<br/>Very happy over-all and would recommend to any couple to go for a special night filled with good food and drink.

Very ordinary service and even more ordinary food. Frankly the entre was the best, the rest was downhill. Will not return.

Great service, great food, made our anniversary special.

Hidden Gem. This restaurant has everything you want in a fine dining restaurant. Tasty food with beautiful presentation. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Beautiful linens, decor & interior. I highly recommend it and will definitely be going back again soon.

We brought our friend here from Sydney and had a blast! The service is great and food is delicious. A great vibe for a small and intimate dinner for 3 with AMAZING wine to help the conversation flow...and not to mention our efforts to speak French with our waiter.<br/><br/>Highly recommended!

Wonderful afternoon. My husband and I lunched for the Bastille celebrations at this restaurant. The food was absolutely delicious, the staff were very attentive and the music was fabulous. I would recommend this restaurant if you love French food!

Really good. Really enjoyed my dinner at The French Brasserie. I had a steak that was well cooked and shared Escargot and Oysters which were all tasty and fresh. The service was very attentive and pleasant. We will definitely be back again soon.

Tuesday menus for roast are worth it! Highly recommended! In particular, the pork roast night was a very good one. The waiter and the service were smooth and attentive. The food was really nice. The pork crackling was really yummy! We will go back for sure!

Le Tour de Roast. What a wonderful night of exquisite French dining. The staff are friendly and welcoming and we couldn't have asked for anything more. The restaurant is just beautiful. <br/>The crispy Cochon du Pays Basque (roast pork) with a traditional Basque Pipperade was the reason we were there. Accompanied by a glass of house wine, at $35 everyone in Melbourne should visit as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Of course we didn't stop there, we started with veloute de potiron (pumpkin soup, roasted chestnuts and hazelnut cream) which was smooth as silk, and crunchy at the same time, and was delicious. I had to have the Choux de Bruxelles, honey and pancetta to accompany the pork - bitter and sweet - fantastic. <br/>And I'll have to go back for the poire au chocolat, probably the best dessert I've had for as long as I can remember. Sublime and I must have it again.<br/>Thank you for looking after us so well and can't wait for my next poire au chocolat.

Couldn't really fault it - staff were polite and helpful, snapper dish was perfectly cooked and balanced. Enough noise and ambience to feel like you are out n about but relaxed and can here yourself think. Recommend an Armagnac to complete the night!

Friday Night Walk In. Past it many times and finally walked in. Without a reservation we were welcomed with open arms (literally). Had a drink at the bar before we decided to dine. Steak tartar is always something I enjoy and this one was fantastic. Well seasoned and didn't have the ''uncooked" feeling some do. Quail egg on top. Whoooowho. Followed it with slow duck breast with shavings of duck prosciutto. French fries of course. Look forward to a return. This place had the WOW factor that night. 3 cheeses to follow nailed the night.

My husband took me here for a surprise dinner for my birthday. It was a great night. Delicious barramundi and the Peach Melba had a French twist. I loved it all.

Unbeatable. The staff were very attentive, the food was outstanding. My husbands quite the "foody" and even he was absolutely amazed at how good his eye fillet was. Highly recommend.

I went to the French Brasserie with a group of 6 before going to see a film at the kino. The pre theatre menu was quite short but the food was delicious and good value for money. The maître'd really made our visit most enjoyable and ensured we were well looked after. Overall a great French experience.

Great food, wine and service. I felt very welcome and looked after, will definitely return next time I am in town and feel like French.

I went here last night for dinner and was blown away. The waiters were very attentive and the food was great. I commented on the improvement to the waiter, and he mentioned that they have a new chef on board.<br/><br/>We had the salmon tartare entree which was light, fresh and beautifully presented (see photo). For main, we shared the ribeye for two and for dessert, we shared a chocolate fondant with berries which I'd definitely recommend. <br/><br/>So yes, we'll definitely be coming back here.

This restaurant has really gone down hill steadily over the past few years. Our most recent experience was terrible food, undercooked steak which had to be re-cooked and then came out completely burnt, and a cassoulet which was dry and undercooked. Staff are borderline rude and these reasons are why we will never dine here again.

Just so average. Looking for a new French place after Libertine closed. Went to this place twice just to make sure I didn't like it. Wait staff stand around talking about the customers in French, food is the sort of average fare you expect of somewhere much cheaper. Don't love it, probably wouldn't go again if I can help it.

Found this place totally by accident and have been back three times as the food (and wine) quality is great.

Like. Arrived at TFB by default after eliminating our usual suspect Flinders Lane trio with wait times 45min +<br/>But thoroughly enjoyed the changed.<br/>I had the Bouillabaise the boy had the Barramundi - crispy skin tick<br/>Enjoyed both but the boy was the winner on this occasion<br/>Will come again

Excellent food - French onion soup the best I've eaten - main of fish & seafood stew very tasty too! Would certainly reccomend to anyone

Real French food. One day me and my husband were walking down the Flinders Lane and I have accidentally noticed the French Brasserie. I really love French food so we came in and had one of the most delicious lunches ever. My fish (skate) was cooked to perfection, and was served with potato mash, spinach and nice creamy sauce. I had skate for the first time in my life and I will for sure order it in the future. My husband ordered a minute steak with red wine sauce and chips. Steak was juicy and it came with the topping of caramelised onions and bone marrow pieces that my husband loved! Mains were so filling that we had room for only one shared dessert and we got creme brulee. It's our favourite that we always order in French restaurants. It was absolutely delicious and portion size was huge! We will for sure book a table in the French Brasserie for our birthdays or other special occasions. Food is stunning and place itself is very elegant!

Fast Fresh and French. Had a nicoise salad of perfection this afternoon. Firm parboiled potatoes, baby berlotti beans, snappy green beans and tiny quail eggs resting on a fragrant summer basil pesto and topped with an expertly cooked piece of wild barramundi. In and out within 30 minutes.

Divine. Today I visited The French Brasserie for the first time and was extremely pleased with what I saw and ate! The interior was gorgeous with a huge marble bar and the service was just as fabulous. All the waiters had amazing French accents that made me feel like I was in Paris and not a Melbourne laneway. <br/><br/>I had the beetroot and goats cheese foam salad. It was so good I wanted to lick my plate.<br/><br/>Would definitely go back again!

Outstanding experience. This really inconspicuous restaurant, located just by the Flinders Lane, is offering, by far, one of the best French food in Melbourne. Both a la carte and tasting menus are definitely worth trying, A la carte menu offers a wide selection of French classics, such as bouillabaisse, onion soup, steak tartare, escargots with garlic butter, minute steak with fries and crème brûlée. Four course tasting menu that is designed by the head chef, Mark Edmunds, always gives the diners a pleasant element of surprise and is a great option for those who want to get a full dining experience.<br/><br/>During my few visits in the French Brasserie I tried many dishes, and none of them was disappointing. When you read the menu, you may think that prices could be a bit lower, but as soon as food is brought to the table, it is definitely worth every cent that you spend! Beautifully cooked lamb is accompanied by scrumptious smoked zucchini croquettes, Provencal ratatouille and rich jus. Delicate potato terrine, creamy truffle sauce, sautéed mushrooms and parsnip crisps - this lucious vegetarian combination is a real winner, which will not disappoint even avowed meat-eaters. Bouillabaisse is a generous serving of rich and creamy fish soup with a selection of seafood - clams, mussels, fish, and prawns - and a crouton with garlic roux. Big plus for the pinch of cayenne pepper that brings a nice heat to the palate. Fans of lighter dishes also will not leave the restautant disappointed, being able to selected between, for example, fish of the day, scallops on fennel puree with saffron potatoes and smoked tomatoes and beetroot salad. Although beetroot salad may at first sound a bit boring, you will be positively surprised when it arrives at the table – beautiful plating, and walnut yoghurt bring the dish to another level. Desserts are the perfect finish to the meal and I can never resist ordering one, even if I am absolutely full. Crème brûlée is a true classic that delivers both in terms of flavour and texture, whereas the "Night of the Movies" dessert is a real treat to chocolate lovers and fans of the salted caramel - frozen chocolate marquise is accompanied by salted caramel ice cream, caramel popcorn, chocolate soil, peanut brittle crumbs and raspberry coulis. It couldn’t be any better! <br/><br/>Besides great food, the French Brasserie offers a wide selection of wines and champagnes. I must say that the wall full of champagne bottles upstairs has a real „wow factor”. <br/><br/>Service is also good. All floor staff is French, which gives the customers a fully French experience.<br/><br/>In summary, a wide selection of delicious food and the atmosphere that is formal, yet not overwhelming , makes the French Brasserie perfect for both older and younger generation – basically everyone who likes classical flavours, excecuted to perfection, and wants to experience a bit of Paris in the heart of Melbourne.

Unpleasant. Had a weird and upsetting experience here. Took my wife to dinner here on a Friday night. Anglo waiter was acting strangely - apparently thought I looked like an idiot and treated me with the kind of mocking condescension you would consider tiresome in primary school. Tried to roll with the joke but the sniggering mockery didn't end. The more i tried to laugh along, the more overt the derision got. Okay, I'm not the best looking person in the world but I really didn't need to be made fun of for the way I look. The manager, a Middle Eastern chap, joined in. Apparently I look like some comic character from a French farce. Food was okay, but really we should have walked out. I'm angry with myself that I didn't. If I see either of these nasty bastards on the street I may well punch them.

French brasserie. We have dined here many times. We have often enjoyed the lunch special but you are never ever offered the special menu without asking! The French Brasserie is slipping. If you attend one of their special events with wine, be warned, they are very, very stingy with the wine! Will we be back? Probably not.

Fantastic service. On a cold night in Melbourne we had ventured into Flinders lane to try another restaurant (Meatball - Walk In - 2 hour wait).<br/><br/>We decided to pound the pavement to look for other options and we noticed the French Brasserie just around the corner in Malthouse Lane. <br/><br/>When we walked in the owner apologised that he had no tables (normally need to book) however asked us to consider coming back in 20 minutes and he would see what he could do.<br/><br/>Upon returning 20 minutes later and waiting a further 5 minutes we were given a table, orders we taken and wines poured.<br/><br/>The space is warm and cosy, the wines on display are great and the large glass walls across the front on the restaurant are quite impactful.<br/><br/>The food was wondering... To be honest when we saw the food come out we were concerned about the portion size however I can assure you we left very full and content.<br/><br/>Whilst we didnt come to flinders lane to eat French or spend that much money everyone in our group is so happy that we did!<br/><br/>Whilst the food was amazing the service was of the highest standard and should really be commended.

Solid performer across the board. My wife and I have eaten at the French Brasserie twice, and really enjoyed it both times. Much better food and lower prices than some of the more well-known French restaurants around town.<br/><br/>All dishes are presented in a tantalisingly creative fashion, without overdoing it. The dishes are classic French but with a modern twist, so it's not boring. The staff are fun rather than stuffy, and generous to boot.<br/><br/>The real standouts are the desserts - the 'night at the movies' dish is as good a dessert as I have had anywhere. Highly recommended.

Had dinner last night. Attentive and happy staff. Memorable food and very generous. Recommended.

The lunch time set price is always a delight and changes often. The staff always greet you happily and helpfully. It is not your everyday lunch price but excellent for a treat.I love visiting.Portions are perfect for lunch.

French fine-dining with surprise multi-course option. After being turned away from Chin Chin because there were no seats until 11pm on a Saturday, we stumbled into this fine dining restaurant tucked inside a short lane. It was pretty much empty at 6:30 so we weren't sure... walked around a bit more and came back 20min later to an almost full restaurant. Atmosphere is very nice with high ceilings, dim-medium lighting and a good amount of space. Service is fantastic. We got the 4course for $79. Chef designs the meal but we especially requested snails. Turned out the snails were bland (not as nice as The Little Snail in Sydney), but the Blue Eye Cod and the Pork Belly were amazing! Dessert was also nice.

We came here for our anniversary and experienced amazing service, wine and food from a menu selected by the chef. Merci!

Classic French food. Had dinner last night at the French Brasserie with some girlfriends and I have to say we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience. We chose the four course chef menu which was very generous and delicious. We were asked if any dietary requirements were necessary or if any dishes on the menu were wanted in particular - but we left it up to the chef to surprise us. <br/>Charcuterie and escargot started us off (first time eating snails for all of us and we could have had a bucket load more - so garlicky, buttery and delicious!). Next was mushroom soup with chestnuts and truffle oil which was creamy and full of earthy goodness. Main was fish with orange reduction and red wine jus, potato mash and king prawn. I never would have thought that orange and red wine would go together but I stand corrected - the flavours really complimented each other. And to finish we shared a selection of desserts including a fig filled with Grand Maniere frangipane, pear tarte tartin, prune and Armagnac ice cream and creme brûlée. I can't pick a favorite dessert - all were delicious and we polished off the lot! <br/>This is clearly food from a chef that is passionate and trained in the classics of French brasserie cuisine. As a lover of French food, I will definitely be back.

Bien. Last minute dinner booking was catered for. Sommelier's choice of wine matched well with our dishes. Staff were very friendly.

Distinctly average. Lovely service, nice atmosphere, food dull. In my opinion the most reliable test of a classically trained chef is his french onion soup, and although it wasn't actually bad it just lacked any real depth of flavour or sense of accomplishment, the rest of the meal followed suit.

Made a booking based on their $35 special comedy special offer and we turned up we were handed a menu for $39. Not only did they fail to honour the deal, the food overall was disappointing. First and last time I will ever go there again.

Great steak frittes. Didn't so much like being charged for water though.

Amazing. My boyfriend and I.... Amazing.<br/>My boyfriend and I went here to celebrate a special occasion and loved the whole experience.

Love, love, love the French Brasserie. What's not to like about French Brasserie? One of my favourite places, great food, great atmosphere, great service. Never been disappointed. Worth every dollar. I love the 3 or 4 course Chef's choice - each course is a surprise!

Lovely place. Excellent Food. <br/>Went there for lunch with the boys in the search of Cassoulet. The restaurant hides down a narrow lane off Flinders, and is an airy, comfortable place. Was only 40% full while we were there. Which is a pity as the food is first class. On a par with France Soir, though a much more limited menu. The Cassoulet was enjoyed by all 5 of us, and was a huge dish of beans, confit duck leg and sausage. Reportedly the recipe of the Mum of the Head Chef ( Lionel-- who enjoys meeting customers!). Appetisers of a huge platter of pâté including an outstanding boudin noir. Excellent and well priced wine list. Service is friendly and under the watchful eye of the Maitre D. Not cheap.....$220 each, although to be fair, that did include a rather large wine component and some huge deserts. The creme brule could have fed 2 people easily. Nice Eau De Vie to finish, courtesy of the boss.

Spectacular. Nicest dinner we have had in a long time. Awesome service, awesome food and an awesome wine list and some tasty French beer to try. Took some friends along last week for my second visit and they loved it as well.

I am French and I used to have lunch in the french brasserie for a year in Melbourne . the food is just amazing and the express lunch too. in Saturday I did a degustation menu with 9 courses by the head chef Lionel Abello and his amazing team in the kitchen . JUst Gorgeous !!!! I tried octupussy with chorizo kickers potatoes etc... one of my best memories .... flathead with American sauce ... black pudding . everything were amazing ... thanks for that guys ... all the. best for this restaurant ....

Every time I come here I am absolutely head overheals charmed by the staff and their cheeky ways. The food has never failed to be mouth watering and is nicely accompanied by a well balanced wine/spirit list. Btw check out there express lunch, I've taken advantage of this little beauty several times now such goooooood value. Do yourself a favour and check it out.

Fantastic!!. Went to the French Brasserie last night and could not have been more impressed with the food, wine and service. Took the 5 course set menu and loved both entrees , both mains and the dessert. The welcoming on arrival was warm, (even though we were a liitle late!) and the service was well above what is usual in Australia. I also found the food to be reasonably priced given the high quality you receive. This place is winner, #1 french restuarant in Melbourne in my opinion. The owners should be proud of what they have created.

A m a z I n g Food and des.... A m a z I n g <br/>Food and deserts are to die for!

I went to the French brasserie last Saturday , and it was a splendid , the food is really good but what I enjoy is the atmosphere , Damien our waiter was really good on his job , thx damin for this night , it is really hard nowadays to find some restaurant with a staff who love their work !!<br/>Thx Damien

Beautiful food. It is so pure and delicate. Good service and great wine :)<br/>Highly recommended

Great food....exceptional service. I was convinced by the maitre d' to have the Canard Confit. It was an excellent meal in a claypot with a succulent duck leg in a lentil mix. The service was exceptional - friendly, quick and a little cheeky! Would definitely recommend it for a business lunch. Their express lunch menu is very reasonable - 2 courses including a glass of wine for $35.This restaurant will be a definite return for me.

This place is a standout. Despite small oysters everything else was great. The steak tartare was perfectly seasoned. The beetroot salad with melted cheese was aromatic and tender. The bouillabaisse was good but the broth could have been cleaner. The winner was the lamb shoulder. I don't know how they got this rectangular block of lamb so perfect - succulent, tender and a couple of crispy edges. The creme brûlée was massive but good enough to get through, as was the chocolate dessert. This restaurant's food is right up there, but where they lead is in their service. Attentive, friendly, efficient and welcoming. Outstanding.

Amazing dinner in a friendly atmosphere. I went to the French Brasserie last friday night with two friends and we had an amazing night!!<br/>The food is absolutly fantastic, the staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is perfect.<br/><br/>I actually come from France and i went there with two of my australian friends to have a "french experience", and I'm so glad we went there because it was a real succes! I was really impressed of the menu: lots of choices, all meal are really typical in France, and the wine list is really long as well (and i would actually recommend to start with the french beer, called Mt Blanc, a blond and very tasty beer!).<br/><br/>We shared a charcuteire plate and snails for the entree, with a yummy french baguette, it was fantastic! I had the boullabaisse as a main (a seafood stew) it was really good with lots of flavours. My friend had the eye filet and he loved it, and my other friend had the confit pork belly, recommended by the waitress, and it was absolutly delicious!<br/><br/>As a dessert I had the pear crumble, it was really fresh and the apple and ginger sorbe was really tasty. My friend had the "Fantaisie de chocolat" which is chocolate in different textures (choclate mousse, chocolate cookie, ...) and it was very good!! And my other friend tried the madelaines (which is really popular in France) and it was really good as well.<br/><br/>I really recommend this place! It's such a good place for an amazing dinner in a friendly atmosphere.<br/>I also saw that they have lunch special at lunch time (2 courses and a glass of wine for 35 dollars) and as the quality of the food is really good I think it's such a good deal! i would totally come back during my lunch break!

Fabulous dinner experience. I went there for a colleague's farewell dinner about 2 weeks ago. The owner and staff are very friendly and nice. I had a special welcome cocktail while waiting for other colleagues to arrive. Excellent environment as you won't feel that you are in a hurry to have dinner, you actually get to enjoy your dinner rather than always looking at the time. Food was splendid and very tasty. <br/><br/>I'm actually heading back there tomorrow for my birthday celebrations with all my friends. Can't wait for tomorrow to arrive.

New Favourite. This place is a winner! The ambience is fabulous, service a little cheeky but definitely friendly with a smile. Food was delish! We started off with a few entrees to share - the marinated octopus, snails in garlic butter and the charcuterie platter. The charcuterie platter was a generous portion, snails were served in its shell (in my opinion, the preferred way) and the marinated octopus was very tender and tasty. I had the bouillabaisse for my main and it was amazing. There was so much seafood in it that I could not finish the seafood let alone the soup nor the croutons. The flavour was intense but not overpowering and the only downfall of my experience was that I had no room left for dessert! Will definitely visit again....SOON!

Melbourne's Best. The staff are amazing. They know how to make you feel welcome, nurtured and special but leave you alone. It's a craft the owner, Hadj, has impressed on all his staff. He is the master at it. Once comfortable what follows is an exceptional wine list well thought out and carefully selected. The food from entree to dessert is exquisite. The commitment to flavour and quality produce is in each mouthful. Start with the terrines, move onto the Rabbit and finish with the creme brulee. You will not be disappointed. 5 stars from me. Whenever someone important is in town we head straigh to 'The French'.

Fantastic meal. The service was great and the food was excellent, what more can you say, can't wait to go back again

A taste of France in Melbourne. I have been in Melbourne for 1 month with my french friends and we were looking for a place to remember our missing french speciality. We have heard about the French Brasserie and after a quick check on Internet we decided to judge by ourselves.<br/><br/>The manager Hadj was amazing, he really knows how to welcome people and make them feel at ease. The decoration of the place remember the real brasserie from Paris and the music is appropriateness to that kind of place.<br/><br/>To begin the dinner we order 2 platter of Charcuterie to share, accompanied by a home made pain de campagne, that was ideal to open our appetite! A glass of red wine with this entrée and the dinner was launched !<br/><br/>It was difficult to choose the plat de résistance because all the menu is made of lovely french speciality so we have ordered 4 different plate to try and we were not disappointed. Everything was delightful and the presentation perfect! <br/><br/>To summarize, this restaurant is the place to be in Melbourne if you want to discover the real french sensation of a dinner! For sure, I'll not leave Melbourne without going back in this place to eat and see the boss again !<br/><br/>In France we said : "L'appétit vient en mangeant." => "Appetite comes with eating." so trythe French Brasserie and you'll not be disappointed!<br/><br/>Adrien

Wholesome food and great value - would go back as an end of the working week treat. The minute steak with chips is fab and the lamb outstanding

LOVE IT. The first time we went here (2009) it was my first time eating at a french restaurant. I had escargot, and although the thought of eating snails grossed me out a bit, they were terrific (I even ate the whole plate!!!). We came back here recently after eating at Golden Fields the night before (overpriced, bad service) and had an absolutely terrific experience. For entree, I had the ocean trout with cucumber and vodka jelly. It was a taste sensation, and a great way to start the evening. Mains I had the pork. I'm a big pork fan (if its on the menu, that's what I'll order), and I can say it was the best pork main I have ever eaten. The balance between the salty, the sweetness of the apple, the savoury slaw and the textural elements was so perfect that every bite tingled as it went down. Magnificent desserts. Definitely a winner, and will go back EVERY time I'm in Melbourne!!!!!

Great staff and great food though be prepared to shell out some considerable dosh for a good meal. On this front, the only real negative was once I ordered my meal, I didn't have enough cash to choose a wine that matched the quality of food! Cheapest bottle at $39 and then a jump to $60 and beyond. Well beyond...

I would say this is one of the best restaurant in Melbourne. I went there to have dinner with my brother and other friends that were visiting from Sydney. The gentlemen offered us champagne for four of us, it was very kind. It was a really great experience and I will definitely return and recommend it to friends. Food was excellent and service was fabulous! Love it :)

Just superb!. Had a great night, food was excellent, from the entree to the dessert. We had a plate of homemade charcuterie for entree, it was superb. Mains were fantastic too, cooked to perfection. The Creme brulee & Chocolate Mousse were delicious! The staff is very friendly, it's a nice and quiet place, perfect for dinner dates!

Loved it. Came for a birthday dinner on a Tuesday night and enjoyed it immensely. We got there quite early and so had the benefit of some very personal attention before the restaurant got very full.<br/>We had the five course option and each of the courses was delicious - a mixture of traditional (a main of very tender and tasty rabbit on mash) with the delicate and very pretty (an entree of octopus on small squares of potato, chorizo and various 'bits and pieces' on the plate.)<br/>All in all, a fabulous evening, and would go back any time.

Really suprised (in a good way!). This was my 2nd work function at this restaurant and to be honest the 2nd time was a charm.<br/><br/>On my 1st visit I was hesitant to order anything I'd never had before as to avoid the dreaded food envy. The 2nd time it was set menu so I was limited to my choices, which was a good thing.<br/><br/>I had the poulet (chicken) which came with veggies and a very nice sauce. It was the most tender, juicest and perfect chicken I have experienced in my life! I kid you not, could have cut it with a fork if I wasn't in such good company.<br/><br/>What is even more impressive is that they had to replicate this meal again and again as there were over 60 people in there with our function.<br/><br/>The cheeses were heaven, particularly the blue vein. Yum!<br/><br/>I had something quite amazing for desert, a chocolate & beetroot cake with coconut sorbet. Sounds odd, but it was AMAZING! I was so surprised by the taste it created. Absolutely sensational.<br/><br/>I wasn't een on coming back after the 1st time I came here, but luck so happened to take me back and I am so glad for it.<br/><br/>Staff in my experiences, both times were both attentive and very quick. They had personality and a sense of humour which was really refreshing.<br/><br/>Highly recommend. Try the chicken and definitely get the chocolate and beetroot cake if it is there. You'll not regret it!

I was one of the first people to write a review on the French Brasserie, I have recently traveled to France and come back. I decided to go back to the French Brasserie because I couldn't stay away from the French food. I was still even more delighted than I was the first time I left, let me say wonderful services and amazing food I wanted to take it home with me. You don't need to go to France to get a mouth watering French meal

Horrible. I decided to celebrate Bastille Day at the French Brasserie and was anything but impressed. Overpriced degustation menu, poor service, tacky surrounds and Can Can dancers that looked like they just finished their shift at Kittens. With none of us having a sweet tooth, we asked if the dessert could be substituted with a cheese platter - we were told it could not but we could purchase a cheese platter in addition. Further, what they failed to inform diners of on their website is that not only was the food menu fixed, but the wine menu was fixed at three reds and three whites to choose from, the cheapest being $75!!! The whole experience was an overpriced joke which explains why it was so empty on a Friday night whereas crowds were spilling out of Chin Chin just down the road - and rightfully so!

Sensational. Everything was fantastic - we had the charcuterie plate, beef tartare and calamari for starters, followed by pork, lamb and cassoulet - all just incredible. My favorite was the brûlée. Wow!!! The service was impeccable, our waiter was decidedly lacking a French accent, however was perfect in every other way, and the owner is just awesome. It's definitely on my list of favorite restaurants.

Very expensive for the very poor quality of food served. I got raw carrots on my plate, tasteless entre & main. Service very rude & pompous! Save your money & go somewhere else!!

Voila. Very French at every turn, the staff and owner (who clearly makes himself known which gives the diner some comfort that he is all over it), were professional and clearly well trained (by an iron fist we guess) - which is all good news for the customer! The Rabbit and Casselot were the highlight. The upselling of wine was a little in your face, but at the same time cleverly done! The table spacing was perfect, and gave us room to relax and not be distracted by the next table's conversation. Clearly some thought has been put into this, as large tables were upstairs - appreciated! Unlike its rival PM24 which makes you feel like a number not a customer - this restaurant was an overall 9/10 experience compared to PM24 which was highly disappointing 6/10. Melbourne dining at its unprententious best.

Not Special Enough. The maitre d' seemed uninterested in our reservation when we arrived at the French Brasserie and vaguely directed us to the mezzanine level, where a waiter received us equally vaguely. However, once seated, our service was of quite a high standard. My chief complaint is that the restaurant was terribly overheated - it is difficult to relax and enjoy dinner when you are longing for fresh air. We had the quail and snails followed by the bouillabaisse and rabbit - the latter being tender and flavourful. This was quite a well-prepared meal but not special enough to warrant the bill. I can't think of a reason to return to the French Brasserie.

Disappointing. Took advantage of the fixed price lunch and felt very taken advantage of. Beef was overcooked and tough, service poor. I expected a lot better.

Spectacular meal. The way food should taste. Service was attentive but not intrusive. A great place to celebrate life's milestones.

Great food, fantastic staff. We chanced upon this place tonight, and what a delight. Three kids in tow - the only in the restaurant - and we were treated gallantly. Staff were terrific, food was what one expects from a French restaurant and prices fair. Very much recommend this Cbd eatery.

Excellent service. We came with 3 young children which the maitre'd was a natural with. Great traditional French cuisine

Restaurant Express Lunch. I have never had French before, but I enjoyed my experience here. I went with 5 others for the Restaurant Express menu, so it was a bit cheaper but their wasn't much to choose from. The sizes were pretty small but I still found it filling enough. I have read complaints with the service, but both the young gentlemen and the young lady we had serve us were friendly and helpful, though the young man's French accent made it a little difficult to understand at times. The French onion soup smelled and looked delicious, not sure what the taste was like but my companion said it was enjoyable. The rest of us had the Charcuterie, which wasn't as nice as I had hoped. Another companion commented that it tasted a bit like spam. It defiantly had lots of flavour to the sauce through. I thoroughly enjoyed my main though. I can't remember what it was called but it was beef with mashed potatoes, a carrot and onion shallots. The beef was so tender it was mouth watering; the potato was light and creamy and helped soften the flavours from the juice and the vegetables. Overall I would go again just to get this dish.

Very Nice Place.... I went to the french brasserie one time for lunch, we ate ouside which was really nice. We got the charcuterie platter, just great ( and the manager told us that everything was home made, i guess that's why it was so good ;-)) after that a very good meat as well. The service was good and it was just a great lunch. The place is a bit hidden, but you got to find it...

A la recherche d'un bon restaurant sur Melbourne, après avoir tourner pendant un bon moment dans une ville que je ne connaissait pas. Je trouve finalement un parking sur Malthouse lane et en remontant je tombe sur un magnifique restaurant français la French brasserie. Après avoir jeter un coup d' œil a la carte nous nous décidons a rentrer e nous somme acceuilli de façon très agréable. Nous ne sommes pas déçut par les plats qui nous sont proposer et qui relee plus du gastronomique que d'un brasserie et ceci pour notre plus grand plaisir. La carte des vins nous offre un large choix a des prix très abordable. Après un diner somptueux terminer par de très bon fromage nous rentrons avec les papille toutes émoustille. De plus le service n était pas en reste tous les serveurs et serveuses étaient agreable, présent et sympathique . Un restaurant que je conseil pour tous ceux qui aime la bonne nourriture et qui désire passer un bon moment.

All the food was really yummy, perfectly cooked scallops and a really zippy little lemon tart. Although the waits between courses were exessively long. On top of which, even though we booked a table we had to wait outside for 20 minutes before we were seated. Nice place but dont go if you want to be out within 2 hours

Amazing Place. No comment, it was lovely dinner!!!

TRES BEL ENDROIT!!. La cuisine y est tres fine, le cadre tres sympa, et le service irréprochable!!<br/>tres bonne experience!

Tasty, but.... The food was really good, which annoyed me...i felt like I didn't want to enjoy it somehow. The atmosphere was contrived and pretentious and the waiter seemed omnipresent...also a bit overly chatty and made us feel cheap for ordering the $50 wine rather than the $70 bottle he suggested. <br/>The vegetable tart was incredible. And if I'd had food of that standard from anywhere else I'd rave about it for ages...but I just didn't like the place. It was like having dinner at someone's house you can't stand; they're cocky and smug, and can somehow create amazing food which you resent enjoying. <br/>Predictably, the portion sizes were minuscule and I had to get sushi on the way home. If I ever get a gastric band fitted, I'd definitely go back. But for take-out.

The French Brasserie Had.... The French Brasserie. Had dinner here last night (2 Oct 2010) and loved it. There will always be a place for classic French fare and TFB does it very well indeed. While sometimes I enjoy food described as a new twist on something, I equally enjoy going back to the source. There were five of us at dinner and not a dud dish to be seen; mains consisted of two duck dishes, two beef and a rabbit, all great. What I appreciated was good food, good wine, good service and I thought good value. Oh, and that my cassoulet was totally kick arse delicious. Finally, I love the look of a polished floorboard in a fit out but what was nice here was with such a high ceiling, the noise had somewhere to travel so we could talk easily. We will definitely be going back.

Great service amazing flavors. authentic French waitress and owner made us feel like super stars. Great French wine menu and although expensive food and wine is well worth it. I recommend the duck breast in orange. If u have a steak make sure u order a side as it comes on it's own. 4.5/5!

Great service and food, not bad coffee, for a restaurant ;)

Great casual french. I've been here on several occasions and enjoyed eating here every time. reasonable price, great service, ambient atmosphere, good cooking :-)

Itscaro. "The French Brasserie"<br/>May 07, 2010 - Likes it - I was by myself last night after a viewing of Lilly Chorney's magnificent paintings in Flinders Lane, I stepped into " The Italian" for a bite, and so began one of the best dining experiences I have had for a very long time. THE SERVICE!! clearly one of the things they do, VERY WELL. The couple dining next to me were also quick to express their appreciation of this most important aspect. The food, sublime! My entree of Calamari stuffed with Prawn mousse, tender Calamari most beautifully presented with swirls of flavour dressing the plate to bring out the best in the dish. For the main, I again chose seafood, with magically crispy fillets of ooh! naughty me, I forget the name of the fish, I however bow down to that fish and thank my stars I chose it. Dessert, not usually on my mind, but the two perfectly presented Crepes filled with lemon curd and decorated with fresh berries, were Heaven. After a well priced glass of Lanson champagne, and the most yummy dessert wine, suggested by my waitress. I left feeling elated with my discovery, and of course the bubbles. Booking now, for next Saturday night for two friends visiting from Sydney. Cheers, Caz.

Oppressive. As fine dining goes, I felt crowded in a nearly empty restaurant, thanks to perpetual presence of the staff.<br/>Portions: miniscule.<br/>Menu: one vegetarian option, so I felt spoilt for choice! Their one vego item also differed between the website and their inhouse menu.<br/><br/>Pitiful.

Authentic French in many ways. Great service and the food was excellent.

Superb. A great place. Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Excellent French cuisine. I'm not normally a huge fan of French food, but this was a delight. And the dark chocolate tart!

The French brasserie is a brilient restrant with a great vibe it is not evpensive and it is great food. I recomed it to most people that love deilightful French food