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This place was recommended to me some time ago by my work colleague, but aside from what he recounted to me, I can hardly find much info about the place. What kind of restaurant has no internet presence whatsoever nowadays! The answer is a quaint, cozy, quintessential provincial French restaurant. The small place is run by an old couple, Gerard's the chef who runs the kitchen & Nanette runs the service front of house. It was Tuesday night and we were the only table there for the whole night, but that didn't take away from the experience at all. The menu although short were all classics. We had the Onion soup & escargots for entree, I'm not normally one for onion soup, but it was rich and decadent with a hit of port. The mains are a bit pricey at around $50 per person, but it was worth it. The chateaubriand (only to be shared between 2 people) was tender and juicy, served medium rare with a rich rich Bearnaise sauce. The roast quail was also delicious, juicy and well seasoned, and big serve too. The chocolate mousse for dessert was of a darker cocoa base, but not too sweet. I really enjoyed my experience here, but it's not somewhere you can come often, as you'll be bored with the limited menu, and broke by the rather pricey meal.
It’s a hidden cute little restaurant. It’s been running by an old couple. We’ve been to this place twice. I like this place because it feels like we are eating meals at a cozy home. It’s a very small place so a booking is essential. I enjoy the atmosphere and the traditional food they serve.
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A survivor from a past age. A mum and pop operation: petite Nanette front of house and Gerard rattling the pots in a tiny kitchen. Pictures Gerard in full, starched chef's kit which adorn the wall contrast with his more Onslow like presentation while actually cooking. A very limited menu - one main dish: Chateaubriand and a specials board containing other offerings some of which are more or less permanent like the Canard a l'orange and steaks.
A tiny dining room with just 16 or so seats. Plain and unadorned - the food is the focus here. The menu is a reflection of the restaurant's genesis in the French revival period of Sydney in the 1970's and 1980's and is as quirky as can be. It's necessary to book because once Nanette thinks she's got enough diners for the night she turns away walk ins with a polite "Sorry, we are fully booked!" despite there being empty tables. It's BYO only nowadays it seems too, with $8 per bottle corkage.
Each dish is cooked individually to order. How Gerard manages his Lilliputian kitchen is a joy to watch. We had the Chateaubriand with Bearnaise Sauce. Perfectly cooked, the quality of the meat shines through. The whole meal was a French cholesterol bomb and delicious. The restaurant has a loyal following of diners. On the night that we attended there was a couple from Melbourne who declared that they made 2 or more trips a year to Sydney just to dine here. "There's nothing anywhere near as good in Melbourne" madam enthused as she ordered the duck a l'orange. Her husband agreed. At another table was a couple from the country who also declared that they made a trip to Sydney just to dine there.
The restaurant, bistro really, has a limited sweets menu containing the French classics of Creme Caramel and Mousse au Chocolat both of which are hand made and very good indeed. Strangely, however, there are no cheeses on offer at all to finish off your red wine with.
While Gerard's cooking is very professional, Nanette's table service is a bit rough and ready at times. She's easily distracted, but it all happens in the end. No flashy silver service, just honest to goodness bistro service and very French but thankfully devoid of Gauloises ash. The food isn't cheap which is probably part of the reason Nanette so readily turns prospective diners away with such ease.
If you like French food the way it was done by Escoffier you'll enjoy the time warp quirkiness of this place. Yes, they have the obligatory accordion and Piaf recordings playing while you dine, but that's as fancy as it gets. No candles, no starched white table cloths and napkins. You come here for the food and to reminisce.
A hidden gem
An old styled French restaurant with elderly chef and not so young waitress.
Wonderful food that took some time to cook showing authenticity
Highly recommended with wine by the glass.
Maybe another visit tomorrow ! !
Very small place and a little run down, but the lovely staff who've been there for decades make up for that somewhat. Had an excellent Chateaubriand, not cheap but worth every mouthful. Their French red wine was quite nice. However the separate sides of baby roast potatoes and silverbeet gratin were fairly average. Unfortunately the chocolate profiteroles were far from impressive: not fresh and the creme patissiere was thick and pasty. Overall a mixed bag.. but boy that Chateaubriand was tasty!
What a great experience, I loved the petite venue and the lovely staff! Really reminded me of authentic French food from my trip to France last year. I even had the chance to order my meal in French! If anyone is interested in brushing up on their French language skills, I really recommend this school bit.ly/frenchclassez. I found their classes fantastic to boost my confidence to speak French at home and abroad!
We’ve been meaning to go to this tiny, unassuming restaurant in Potts Point FOREVER...In many ways, the food reminded us of classic French bistro food, but none of the food at the Parisian bistros matched up to this. This is a step above. Really beautiful and luxurious cooking, frozen in time, applied to classic French dishes. It’s not cheap, and remember it’s cash only, but boy oh boy, this was a great meal...
Does My Bomb Look Big In This
+3.5
It seems fitting to do my thousandth review at one of Sydney’s smallest restaurants. Weighing in at just sixteen seats, this tiny terrace on Victoria Street, Potts Point, delivers a disproportionately memorable dining experience. Answering an inquiry from our hostess Nanette, the wife of Chef Gerard Humair, my dining companion explained he’d last visited the restaurant twenty years ago. “ The menu has not changed, ” says Nanette deadpan, with a twinkle of mischievousness. It’s a refreshing departure from Sydney’s trend-driven dining, down to a wine choice of red or white (if you choose not to bring your own). The red, a 2013 Chemin des Papes Cotes du Rhone ($55/bottle) is quite drinkable, particularly against Garlic Escargot ($29.90/12) . The hand-delivered specials board (which does change) produces Duck à l'Orange ($49.90) – a straight-ahead classic roast half duck with vibrant citrus sauce dotted with orange segments...
Best Chateaubriand in town. I have been returning to this little gem for years now. It is perfect for an intimate dinner and I love that you can bring your own vino to match. To start you can not go past the french onion soup, it is delicious. However their Chateaubriand is the stand out, the fact that I have never tried any other main on the menu attests to this fact! It is always cooked perfectly and when paired with the Cognac sauce it is heaven. It comes with some tasty sides; creamed spinach and crunchy potatoes. If you are unsure what to order on your first experience do not go past this!
Decent cuisine but not worth the overinflated prices.
Visited Mere Catherine tonight for a special occasion and it didn't disappoint. French cuisine at its best without all the bells and whistles, just quality ingredients and simplicity done perfect. Very romantic spot for 2, call ahead for bookings as it's very small and only seats 16. Both soups were amazing and the duck and chicken pate was the best we ever had. Chicken and Steak both executed perfectly with both sauces next level. Order the spinach gratin on the side and leave room for dessert you won't regret it. See you again soon
Classic delicious French "peasant" but rustic food cooked from the heart. This is an established foodie institution in Potts Point. Lovely couple runs this restaurant, husband does the cooking and the wife runs front of the restaurant. Chateaubriant is absolutely deliciously served. Absolutely essential to book as there's only limited number of seating available. Thoroughly recommended for a night out and experience this hidden gem.
With a focus on serving excellent quality French food - this place does not disappoint. The authenticity of this place is only enhanced by its untainted surrounds. It is small and unpretentious and refreshingly more about the experience than keeping up with appearances. A really relaxing night with friends and can't wait to go back !
THE CUTEST tiny restaurant, run by a husband and wife team. The husband is a solo chef in the kitchen, the wife is a solo waitress. Food is rich, as expected, and excellent. The table next to us BYO'd the most exquisite wines. They said it's their monthly tradition to eat here. You really feel like you are eating in your French Auntie's living room. Decor is old and warn in the most charming way. I adore this place.
An absolute gem, and quite possibly the most underrated restaurant in Sydney. Just an old French couple (he cooks, she serves) in a tiny dining room that has a mood and an atmosphere that suits them perfectly. The snails are to die for, the chateaubriand is perfect, the creme caramel will make you swoon and you can BYO. Superb.
The menu hasn’t really changed in two decades: a wise move as their potage lucifer & chateaubriand are dependably delicious.
The venue is intimate & the charming hosts make you feel as if you are guests in their own home.
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