Macleay Street Bistro is a Sydney dining institution serving classic French Cuisine. They are currently celebrating 35 years of service with a 1970s inspired, classic French menu. This coincidentally includes some of our favourite dishes – you cannot beat a classic.
Macleay Street Bistro is set in a converted terrace house and on appearance the restaurant is your cliché French fine dining restaurant.
White tablecloths with tables set impeccably with crockery and wine glasses.
The set up and decor may be classic French, however the music is modern and upbeat, as is the maître d, Clive. The service at this restaurant is extraordinarily professional, whilst still personable, with Clive providing plenty of character. He comes with a wealth of experience and it shows in leaps and bounds. This was one of the best dining and service experiences we have experienced in Sydney.
What better way to start a meal than with a refreshing cocktail – a beautiful French martini – chambord, vodka and pineapple juice. A recommended start to your meal at Macleay Street Bistro.
Another traditional start to any bistro meal is bread and Macleay St Bistro uses quality artisan producers to supply the restaurant. A French Baguette from Sonoma is accompanied by another Sydney favourite, Pepe Saya butter.
We were visiting for their impressive celebratory six course degustation menu incorporating their classics to reflect on and celebrate their 35 years of operation. Before the degustation began, we requested to try the French onion soup, which people have been raving about. They are not wrong – this soup was incredible – light and packed with flavour. This is a must order!
The First course was the pan seared scallops, prepared to perfection combining with added texture provided to the dish by the hazelnuts and an earthiness from the roast cauliflower and contrasted by the light cauliflower purée.
This dish was paired with a Riesling, the Framingham from Marlborough New Zealand a sweet wine with strong flavours of lemon and rasins, this conjuring memories of lemon cordial, when you indulge and get a little heavy on the cordial. This wine nicely matched with the sweeness of scallops.
For the Second course, we get hands on with the Macleay St Bistro organic grass fed eye fillet steak tartare with house made mini baguette.
The plate is beautifully presented with a mound of thin strips of beef and an egg yolk on top that brings the dish together. This surrounded by little quenelles of Dijon, eschallot, Cornichon, Anchovy paste and capers. Break open the egg yolk, mix it with the beef strips, then combine other flavours to taste.
This incredibly rich and beautiful tartare was paired with a Joseph Faiveley Pinot Noir From Burgundy, France. A lighter style red which helped cut through the richness of the tartare. What a fabulous pairing, they sure know their stuff here.
The third course was a twice baked French onion soufflé with truffle butter and a wholemeal sourdough roll. This is comfort food, the perfect winter dish that will warm the soul. Light and fluffy, sitting in a pool of cheesy goodness, you most certainly need to try this. The flavours of this dish complimented by a Vincent girardin Chardonnay from Burgundy, France. The the wood flavours from the oaked chardonnay and the sweet onion and cheese of that twice bake soufflé were truly magnifique.
The fourth course was a divine organic grass fed eye fillet with fresh parsley and sauce au poivre, a great cut of meat, cooked medium rare, it melts in your mouth. The wine of choice Mon Coeur, Syrah, Rhone valley, France. What else would you pair with a steak?
The penultimate dish was the fifth course, a classic Macleay st bistro Creme brûlée Served with chateau la caussade Sainte Croix, Bordeaux, France. The perfect end to the meal.
When you think you are finished, the staff bring our house made chocolate truffles, rich and beautiful. What a perfect dish to end on.
For a meal that is truly special, do make a showing at Mcleay Street Bistro for the weekend lunch offer. A 6 course classic French menu for $90, for matching wine add $75. All items cooked to perfection and served with a great wine pairing. You receive an authentic French Bistro experience, make sure you bring your appetite and enjoy the experience that will have you embracing winter in Sydney with some comfort food and service that is equally comforting. Bon appetite!
Phone: 02 9358 4891
Address: 73A Macleay St, Potts Point NSW
https://macleaystbistro.com.au
thankyou to Ompty Media for the invitation to dine and to the staff at Macleay st Bistro for their hospitality.
