Aquitaine Brasserie

AQUITAINE BRASSERIE HAS CLOSED.

Aquitaine Brasserie is River Quay’s Little France, where traditional French cuisine is given a fresh contemporary Oz flavour.

The seasonally changing menu is complimented by a first-class wine list and at the time of writing featured entrees such as the divine tomato farcie – baked vine tomato filled with goats cheese, with tiny grissini, olives and basil oil and coal grilled quail with hazelnuts, spices, yoghurt and candied baby beets.

Must-try from the plats principaux (mains) is the Boullabaise Marseillaise, with mussels, luscious Moreton Bay bugs and king prawns in lieu of Mediterranean crustaceans in a tomato saffron broth. Another signature traditional dish is the Bendele Organic Farm Duck, whole birds of which are transported direct from the farm to Aquitaine where they are sousvied for 20 mins in a sealed bag then lightly pan seared before being served with pears, spiced almond milk, cavalo nero and artichokes. (The house rillette is then made from the duck fat).

Dessert-wise, the signature here is the Assiette of Petit Fours – a dainty assortment of heavenly house-made morsels including macarons, melt-in-the-mouth nougat, mousse, friend, crème brulee and choc coffee toffee.

Need to know - Aside from lunch and dinner, Aquitaine is open between mealtimes to drop in and take a front people-watching seat and enjoy a calvados, absinthe-infused cocktail, champagne wine or beer. The delectable accompanying bar snack menu, available all day, borrows from the A La Carte Appetizer menu and includes snapper beignets, escargots, duck rillettes or pizza.

The menu may have changed since our visit.

Check out our full list of the best South Bank restaurants HERE

Discover 15 top free things to do at South Bank HERE