L'etoile Restaurant and Bar

Posted by: by mE | 14 March 2010, 5.40pm

Much anticipated after not missing one episode of My Kitchen Rules, I finally found myself with two friends at the footsteps of L'Etoile. This restaurant is hidden near one of my favourite brunch areas (Heeley Street). Welcomed by passionate french waiters, we were taken to our lovely table on the balcony out in the back. The atmosphere was amazing, lit up by candlelights and heartened by celebratory clinking of wine glasses.

Shortly after we sat down, I ordered a bottle of the Crozdes Hermitage from the Rhone Valley... excellent vivid flavours, recommended to all fans of Shiraz grenache. The waitress also gave us a run-down on the specials for the night, and was well educated on all the menu items. All the waiters and waitresses at L'Etoile were passionate and attentive. However, their french accents does take some getting used to (mind you, I love the French accent... if all else fails, just nod and smile).

I ordered Boudin de St Jacques, Bisque de Crustaces which was a sausage of scallops in lobster bisque. It was amazingly delicious, the bisque was strong in flavour and the scallops were fresh and silky. I was also told by my fellow diners that the Cassolette de Fruits de Mer a L'Anise was the best she's had.

For the main, I ordered Filet de Kingfish Roti. The kingfish was cooked to perfection and vinaiggrette truffee was to die for!

Tip to all foodies who are planning to dine at L'Etoile, remember to order your Creme Brulee early in the night. We sadly missed out on the creme brulee as they normally get sold out late in the night. However, the sad news was redeemed by the heavenly Pain Perdu, Compote Fruit des Bois, Sorbet au Yaourt... Being a fan of French brioche, this to me was a dessert like no other. The brioche toast was soft in the centre, crunchy on the outside, and was accompanied by flavoursome berry compote. Definately a winner.

We were also greeted by the handsome Manu Fieldel! It began to pour down with rain at the end of the night, and like a French gentlmen, Manu waited outside on the street with his orange umbrella to hail taxi's for leaving customers. Ultimate service!!!

Incredible experience, I wouldn't waste time writing a review otherwise!

Food:			Visit: Sat 13 March 2010 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: new arrival | 10 February 2010, 12.39pm

Four of us went to L'Etoile for dinner with an 8pm booking. We had high expectations of the place after reading and hearing very good reviews. What a dissapointment. The service was very patchy and it was after 10pm before we got our main course. About 11, the staff decided it was their time and congregated at the bar. It took about 1/2 hour to get a bill and then we were presented with 2 by 2 different waiters. Then no one to collect it. One of us had to go to the bar to try and get someone to take it.
The menu was very limited and the food was mediocre.
On the whole a very dissapointing night, which is a pity as I live nearby.

Food:			Visit: Fri 5 February 2010 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: J.Bean | 15 July 2009, 6.01pm

I couldn't wait to enjoy the wares of Manu and his team. However, the degustation dinner left a lot to be desired in terms of both flavour and value. Although small portions are expected in a degustation menu, I couldn't believe HOW small these were. The pate de fois gras de canard was not amazing and I have tasted much better. The potato fondante stuffed with snails and wild mushrooms was acceptable only. The sausage of scallops and crustacean bisque was tasty, but a very small serve. The five small slices of breast of duck (I ask you, why two duck dishes on the one menu??) was a little dry and somewhat tasteless. The poached pears with, what would have passed for a supermarket vanilla icecream, chocolate sauce and flaked almonds could have been constructed by anyone!! Five mainly meadiocre courses for $90 was far too underwhelming. I eat at restaurants of this supposed calibre to experience dishes that I would be unable to knock up myself...and this was not the case last night. I would not recommend this place to anyone. The only redeeming feature were the cute waiters!!

Food:			Visit: Tue 14 July 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: MaestroSid | 5 July 2009, 11.57am

On this same Glenmore St site, Booker's and Local each offered an attractive package to diners but both always lacked a certain special something. Since Manu's come in to take over the pans, the place is really shining. It's very French, very welcoming and truly delicious. The fish of the day cooked in lemon and the duck confit are both really satisfying examples of what you expect from a French bistro like this. And the wine list is excellent. To see it packed with many French-speaking diners is a good indication of its authenticity and quality. I'm looking forward to returning.

Food:			Visit: Sun 5 July 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: neconeco | 11 June 2009, 9.39am

My boyfriend took me to this lovely restaurant for dinner and it blew me away! My partner is a big foodie and takes me to many wonderful restaurants and this was one of the best. We were sat outside on a cold night and were kept warm by the heaters, it was not overcrowded and feeling was quaint. The waiters and waitresses were very attentitive and we were never without water. The food was divine, I had the french onion soup for starters which was warming and delicious it wasn't too oily liks some can be, it was a rich flavour but not overpowering. For the main I had ordered the butcher's cut of beef with bordelaise sauce. The meat was was great, nicely cooked to melt in your mouth and red in the middle just the way I like it. Then we ordered dessert (we had to!) I got the raspberry bavarois and if I could have licked the dish I would have! My partner ordered the Creme Brulee and it was the only SLIGHT disapointment as it was slightly burnt on one side but he still ate most of it! Overall a wonderful experience and we will be recommending to all our friends. Thank you L'etoile for a great night.

Food:			Visit: Thu 11 June 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Tim Svh | 2 November 2008, 5.39pm

A very nice and relaxed French atmosphere, with excellent food and good service. We enjoyed the French food, had some nice wines to accompany, and a good table outside in the courtyard. Our only slight criticism might be that the girl serving us clearly did not have her day, though her male colleague totally made up for her, at times, clumsy and inexperienced behavior. After asking for a taxi, he was back within 1 minute with a taxi waiting outside in front of the restaurant. With him even opening the taxi doors and wishing us a very nice evening, we could only say that his service was totally outstanding.

Food:			Visit: Sat 1 November 2008 Mealtime: dinner
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