The Brasserie

Posted by: Mel23 | 20 May 2010, 8.42pm

My husband and I have been to the Brasserie a few times now and it has never disappointed. The service has always been good and friendly. Our food has been of a high quality each time. And we always squeeze in three courses as it is soooo good and consistent.
Can't wait to go back!

Food:			Visit: Thu 20 May 2010 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: chanel11 | 21 November 2009, 11.05pm

The lack of vegetarian options (1 in total) was a little upsetting. My entree of vegetable confit tasted like the marinated vegetables you get from the deli - it was tasteless and boring. My husband found his salmon gravalx starter one dimensional. The mains weren't much better and the desserts were only decent. On the plus side the service was good and the atmosphere was lively.

Food:			Visit: Sat 21 November 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: CoogeeNSW | 27 September 2009, 3.23pm

After a rather long day sightseeing around Melbourne, the Brasserie, which overlooks the Yarra river, seemed like a pleasant place for dinner, however, the only word to describe the experience is shocking.

At approximately 8pm, after being seated at a window table by a Maitre'D, who checked the reservations register, a waiter came to the table without a menu and stated that the table was reserved and that I would need to sit myself elsewhere. Upon stating that the Maitre'D showed me this particular table, the waiter fetched the manager who restated the same position and showed me a table located outside that was soaked from recent rain, had a non-functioning gas heater and was not properly set for dinner.

I thanked the manager for her assistance and on second thought decided to dine at a pleasant and proper restaurant, since the Brasserie proved to be uninterested in the provision of any level of dining given their unsatisfactory and shocking service.

If a person is interested in a dining experience that is akin to a siberian rained out boot-camp, then the Brassie would be perfect.

Food:			Visit: Fri 25 September 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Prahranperson | 15 May 2009, 10.26pm

I've just eaten here tonight and I feel that I have to tell everyone about how appalling my experience was there. It was my wife's birthday so I thought I'd take her and my brother-in-law somewhere nice to eat. So we booked at 7pm tonight (15/05/09)... took our seats, placed our orders... and a whole hour later our entrees arrive. The charcuterie was okay, the snails were terribly bland, but the saving grace was the king-prawn entree. 2 stars for the food so far. Maybe the mains will be better?

We thought we'd chat and wait for our mains... and chatted... and waited... and another hour goes by without our mains. Two hours after we first ordered? Average, very average. By now it's past 9pm, and we had an appointment at 10 to meet a friend. When I asked when our mains were due, I was met with a curt "They're coming" by our waiter. No sorry, no apologies, just... "They're coming." French food with French attitude as well?

We sat for another 5 minutes disappointed (perhaps a bit fuming) before making our way down to the front counter to pay for what we had so far. Would you eat after waiting an hour for entrees, then told after waiting another hour to be told that your mains "are coming"? Would you be comforted by the offer for them to "speak to the cook"? I certainly wasn't. I'll never ever go to the Brasserie again, and I won't ever hesitate to let others know what my experience was here at this restaurant. It's a pity that the service and the kitchen lets this place down.
So final verdict - if you like waiting for food that might or might not come out, and you don't mind average service at a premium price - this is the place for you.

Food:			Visit: Fri 15 May 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: all4food | 5 March 2009, 2.05pm

Thankfully the standard of service is not reflected in the quality of the meals. Have been on 3 occasions and all 3 times have felt we need to boast a VIP badge to be made welcome.
On the other hand, fantastic food. Clean, fresh flavours and well balanced meals. Do recommend the assorted duck charcuteries entree to share. Fish is always great...
Will savour the good times.

Food:			Visit: Sun 15 February 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: foobarnone | 22 June 2008, 2.35pm

The Brasserie is a credit to the great tradition of French cooking. Our entrees were the king prawn fritters, accompanied by a superb tomato condiment (perfect balance of acidity and sweetness), and the pan-seared scallops. Everything was fresh, delicately textured and very appetising.

Portion size was wonderfully judged - enough to satisfy my hunger but moderated to keep me wanting more... Philippe Mouchel is certainly not the reason for Australia's top obesity ranking!

Mains, while very tasty, immaculately plated and presented, were not quite at the exceptional level of the starters. Perhaps it was the choice that we made, since the steak option seemed very popular amongst other diners (several male-only tables, who appeared to be city workers)

We ordered a medley of lamb cooked three ways, with braised vegetables and jus, and a slow-poached Tasmanian salmon, cauliflower espuma, vanilla and hazelnut oil vinaigrette. All sauces were suitably light yet full of flavour.

Service was acceptable if somewhat unenthusiastic, and is probably sufficient for a brasserie.

Definitely a positive food experience and would be happy to return.

Food:			Visit: Thu 19 June 2008 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: foodlover2 | 5 May 2008, 5.42pm

We have eaten at the brasserie on a few occasions now and the food has never disappointed.
The chef is extremely generous with the food available and it is superb value. Much better than brasserie standard food and even the special lunch & pre-theatre packages provide larger & more involved food than you should reasonably expect.
First rate food and superb atmosphere.

Food:			Visit: Fri 2 May 2008 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: The3Glutoneers | 5 April 2008, 12.56pm

We started with house-baked bread with dukkah spices (complimentary), chose the three-course lunch special for $44 which also includes a side dish! Picked a wine and had good times.
Everything that came to the table was great. I ate king prawns wrapped in a wonton like wrapper, others enjoyed the cheese & jerusalem artichoke soufle, it was so light it disappeared when you placed it in your mouth. My friend chose the best meals all day, dont you hate that, the chacuterie plate is a must as is the snails. Everyone was overwhellmed with the value & the quality. Our mains were just as good - try dipping the fries into the wagyu tartare & wash down with a glass of Cote du Rhone.
When it was time for desserts we were very full but we pushed on & again very pleased.
Over all we had a blast and are planning to return in the near future.
Well done Phillippe and the crew.

Food:			Visit: Mon 31 March 2008 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: Ann Graham | 9 August 2007, 5.56pm

My husband and I are the greatest fans of Philippe Mouchel and have introduced many friends to his wonderful French bistro food. We returned for dinner to celebrate my birthday back in July. A friend had warned us that the service had gone off but we put that down to a bad night which we know can happen.

For travel reasons we had to eat early so we went for the pre-theatre special (great value, particularly as it offered choices we would have made off the a la carte menu). As always the food was superb but the service had gone off. The wine we wanted was not available and nothing was offered as a replacement. In fact we were made to feel that our choice of the 'meal deal' meant we did not deserve his attention.

This man will not put us off going back but we will be warning friends about the service and we are tempted to try some new restaurants, which proves that service is as important as the food.

Food:			Visit: Wed 4 July 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: GJW | 1 April 2007, 1.13pm

Saturday night dinner at The Brasserie was excellent. All the food we had was very good and was not over priced which we expected. Would recommend to anyone.

Food:			Visit: Sat 31 March 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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