Chez Olivier – Le Bistro

Intro: Onion Soup feeding the soul followed by perfectly cooked rib eye steak, melting inside the mouth, seafood extravaganza presented itself to its beady eyed admirers

Details: Le Bistro – 121 Greville Street – Prahran 9525 2273

Surroundings: Warm, ambient lighting with candlelit tables, surrounded by local artworks changing almost weekly. Intimate enough for a small group or a date. Best place to sit is near the kitchen so you can see and smell each dish passing by.

Liquid consumption: DELATITE _ LATE PICKED RIESLING. Fresh, crisp, slightly sweet, making this a perfect companion with each course. 

Entree: SOUPE À L’OIGNON- Onion soup with cheese “gratiné”. This soup stirs the soul with its deep and intense flavours, each spoonful taken with a the layer of bread and melted cheese.

ASSIETTE DE CHARCUTERIE- Chez Olivier’s platter with paté,  rillettes, terrines, cornichons. Served with fresh bread, the duck liver spreads like butter and was the table favourite as was the pork pate with its smooth texture, further complimenting the wine.

LES ESCARGOTS- You have to get the snails when going out for French! Well, I personally haven’t tried any other snails apart from at Chez Olivier, but these suckers were served in little pots of pesto and crispy croutons.

Mains: CÔTE DE BOEUF – No matter how cooked, this piece of meat aka rib eye just melts in your mouth. Right amount of saltiness and fat. The juiciness and char grilled exterior made the best team players kicking multiple goals into your tastebuds.

BOUILLABAISSE- A Traditional Fish soup from Marseille – with crouton & rouille sauce. This was the highlight of the night- wowser. As pictured below, it was served in a  hot pot unveiled to the delight of the table as the steam seeped, the seafood extravaganza presented itself to its beady eyed admirers. You need comfort food…well, this is it. The companion you yearn for on a cold winters day.

The fish broth with its array of favours would seriously have me drinking from the bowl if there weren’t any onlookers.

MOULES À LA CHEZ OLIVIER- Another seafood star. I’d describe it as a surf and turf on a wave. Mussels soaked in white wine and taken hostage by prosciutto, sausage meat and onion sauce. The shells were later used as a spoon alternative. What a great combo this was, the mussels were juicy, big and the chewiness and stringiness was kept at a minimum.

Dessert: ORANGE & COINTREAU CRÈME BRULÉE- was blow torched at the table leaving a thin layer of crisp- a spoonful of which melts into nothingness as it touches the tastebuds.. Many spoon fights were held over this one!

Bring your friends or a date here? Absolutely

Service: The staff here are impeccable. Genuinely helpful, wine and water don’t get a chance to go down, perfect hosts for celebrations, knowledgeable about each menu item.

$$$: Mains range from 26-41 dollars. Entrees from 12.90 Desserts 11.90

Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight

The atmosphere is warm, intimate and the staff are more than welcoming- all French.

Times revisited: 3, looking forward to more

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