[invite] Bianca: We’re always on the hunt for good French restaurants in Sydney. It’s not a cuisine that we gravitate towards naturally, despite our French relatives. We’re Italians through and through. But any excuse I have to slather a finger size pat of butter onto a teeny tiny piece of bread and pretend it’s normal, I relish it. We were drawn to LoLuk Bistro initially because of it’s quaint little verandah fronting onto Bourke Street. We love a bit of people watching here at FFS and had it not been freezing we would have perched vino in hand.
We instead, opted to sit in the rear courtyard, which is a gorgeous space for a romantic date – French music and dim candlelight setting the scene. The Onion Nicoise Tart $14 was a lovely few bites, juxtaposed with the sweetness from the caramelised onions, saltiness from the olives and anchovies. But I’m sorry, there’s nothing more unromantic to me than anchovies. Alex and I loathe them!
I’m all about that cheese life and the Double Cheese Souffle, mushroom cream & mesclun salad $18 was everything I could have wanted and more. A crispy outer shell, light and fluffy centre. The mushroom sauce was rich but not overpowering and for those that appreciate the foliage, the greenery alleviates the heaviness of the other elements.
Pork Belly is a major weakness of mine, I generally wouldn’t associate it with French cuisine but when in Rome…or more thematically correct, Nice. The Slow Cooked Pork Belly -w/smashed potatoes, cauliflower & apple compote $32 was the epitome of a ‘Winter Warmer’. Tender, melt in the mouth pork. With a caramelised crispy base, the skin was gelatinous (no crackling sadly). The fresh herbs adding a whole other dimension. We were both instantly drawn to the charred cauliflower, evoking a smoky wood burnt flavour.
Duck is quintessentially French and despite Alex’s indifference to the little quack quack I go ahead and order it. Duck Breast w/homemade provencal gnocchi $36 was an interesting one. Perhaps not something I would naturally pair together but each element was executed perfectly. A light cream based sauce coating the gnocchi, the duck tender, with a crispy skin.
Make sure you save room for dessert, our picks being the Profiteroles – Choux pastry w/vanilla ice cream & hot chocolate sauce $14. Decadently drowned by a thick delicious chocolate sauce. With little bursts of salted caramel and the crunch from the choux, this was pure heaven!
Alex has a weakness for Creme Brulee $14 and the addition of the lavender really set this apart from your standard Brulee.
Not your typical French restaurant, with a spin on some classic dishes.
Bianca
Photos by Alex
http://www.lolukbistro.com.au/
*For Food’s Sake dined as guests of Loluk Bistro.
Hehe so many invites so little time! This one looks like a goodie 😀
I absolutely loved this place – had to go back for brunch and I highly recommend this – their croquet madame and ratatouille with lamb and perfect egg is heaven 🙂