La Belle Vie Bistro
Bardon
La Belle Vie Bistro is a traditional slice of France found in prime position with sweeping views on a Bardon hilltop.
By day the glass-walled pavilion style dining room has a backdrop of the lush green hills of Bardon and Paddington and by night an enchanted vista of twinkling lights.
Crisp white table cloths and little pots of fresh flowers add an air of formality to the chic spacious dining room, which has an intimate bar to one side, perfect for a pre-dinner Kir Royale or French-flavoured cocktail.
The menu features all of the French classics with a fresh twist, with entrees including Moules (baked New Zealand mussels stuffed with butter and garlic crumbs; Foie Gras (foie gras mi-cuit, brioche toast and fig chutney; Escargots (whole snails cooked with garlic and butter); or French Onion Soupe with truffle and gruyere cheese croutons.
Plat Principal (mains) include Eye fillet, beurre Cafe de Paris, red wine jus and French fries; Fish of the Day with Provencale crust, black olives, leek fondue and Riesling sauce; Honey & spice duck breast with fondant potato and confir cabbage or Slow cooked lamb shank, red wine jus, smoked thyme and Mediterranean vegetables.
For afters there's a selection of French artisan cheeses or Desserts such as Creme brulee, Apple Tart Tatin with vanilla ice-cream or Fondant (melting chocolate cake and ice-cream). La Belle Vie also offers a selection of set menus including a 3 course Le P'tit menu (plus half baguette and butter) for $65pp, a 5 course menu for $89pp and a set Vegetarian menu, all with the option of wine pairings to accompany.
The wine list at La Belle Vie features small batch organic wines from both France and Australia and champagne from Reims and Avize. A selection of craft beers from Italy, Belgium, Tasmania and Queensland are available along with premium spirits including Calvados and Cognac. Traditional digestives include Chartreuse Green and The Jezebel Absinthe or try a dessert cocktail such as the Creme Brulee Martini.
Good to know - Half of the entrees and desserts and all of the mains and sides are gluten free. There's also an excellent kids menu, with a choice of sand crab lasagne, croque monsieur or crumbed fish and fries for mains and ice-cream with coulis for dessert.
Need to know - There is free off-street and undercover parking in the shopping square that La Belle Vie is located in.
