Bistro Vue is the flouncier French provincial sister of sleek gastrotemple Vue de Monde and the rustic salmon-pink dining room (which smells deliciously of melted butter) is a cosy haven on a winter’s night.
We booked our dinner as part of Put Victoria On Your Table, a scheme running from 26 July to 9 August to encourage Victorians to eat locally produced food and wine – ‘Eat and drink where you live’. Numerous top Victorian restaurants are offering Winter Express menus, where you receive two courses, a glass of wine and coffee/tea for $35 lunch, $45 dinner.
Even though technically Winter Express hadn’t started yet, Bistro Vue offered us an early-bird two course meal with wine (which I believe is available any time of year between 5-6pm). There were no choices for each course, but fortunately we all really enjoyed our soft confit duck leg piled on some delicate pan-fried brussels sprouts and a dessert of warm white chocolate foam topping a rhubarb and strawberry compote. We also tucked into the fresh-out-of-the-oven miniature baguettes with French butter and sipped on a fragrant Cote du Rhone with Edith Piaf in the background.
The delicious food and wine, gracious service and warm ambience made it extremely good value for $40 and Shannon Bennett continues to receive my kudos.
- Bistro Vue, 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne 3000 +61 3 9691 3838
Bistro Vue, so HOT even when the Melbourne weather in late spring was not. The quail and fois gras starter was one of the most memorable dishes I have ever eaten. Thanks for the tip Joyce!