Little Provence

Little Provence is a secret French restaurant and bar tucked away in a stunning high-ceilinged loft-like space upstairs in an historic Brisbane CBD building.

Having delighted diners in Brendale for the past few years, Little Provence has made the move to the centre of the action so now everyone has a chance to experience its many charms.

Through the yellow door and at the top of the staircase is a cosy lounge bar and from there a corridor leads past a private dining room* that looks to be transported from a French farmhouse and the restaurant kitchen, before reaching the main room.

The gorgeous rustic chic dining room features original wooden floorboards, soaring ceilings and casement windows with sheer curtains looking over the street at front and courtyard tree at back. 

A backlit bar runs alongside while on the other, exposed brick feature walls are adorned with ceramic plates, whilst at each end the original windows let in filtered light and tables are decorated with flowers in wine bottles.  

Owner and chef Romain Maunier (co-owner of La Cache A Vin) brings decades of honing his craft in restaurants in the south of France, and more recently, with renowned Brisbane Chef Thierry Galichet, to the table. The result is an exquisite menu that is up there with the best in Brisbane.

On the menu (subject to change), appetisers include white anchovies with lemon whipped cream & parsley on crouton; natural oysters; marinated olives; or caramelized onion tart & comté. 

Exquisite starters include Snails 'a la Provençal' with garlic, tomato butter & baguette (must-try!); Vol au Vent (puff pastry filled with sauteed chicken & mushrooms, garlic veloute); Pâté de Campagne (homemade meat terrine served with pickles, seeded mustard & baguette); Beef Tartare (raw beef seasoned and served with confit egg yolk & croutons); and Salmon Souffle (with fish & chives veloute).

Mains (which can also be shared) include Squid ‘A la Settoise’ (stuffed squid with pork mince, vegetables, thyme & cooked in tomato fish sauce & served with Harlequin rice); Duck à l'orange (with broad beans & potato gratin); and Gnocchi au Roquefort (potato gnocchi served with Roquefort sauce, mushrooms & walnut).

Other mains include melt-in-the-mouth Beef Cheek (known as ‘Daube’ in Provence) - braised beef cheek in red wine served with fried panisse & carrot; Lamb Parmentier (French Shepherd's Pie) - pulled lamb shoulder with gratinated mash potatoes; and house specialty Bouillabaisse (for 2) - a selection of seafood poached in homemade fish soup served with croutons & rouille sauce, that will transport you straight to the seaside in the south of France.

Desserts are equally scrumptious - choose from a small selection that includes Creme Brûlée (vanilla custard with hardened caramel top); Chocolate Mousse; or Pear Bordaloue Tart with citrus sorbet. There's also cheese (1-4 pieces), served with pear and fruit bread.

The menu can be enjoyed à la carte, and there's also the option to 'Eat Like You're French', a 4-course set menu (min 2 people) or the traditional Fixed Price Menu (a set menu of 3 courses for a minimum 12 people, or if booking the private dining room*, a minimum of 6 people). 

As for the drinks menu, cocktails include French classics like Kir, Kir Royale and French Martini, as well as Apricot Blossom (vodka, Amaretto, lemon juice, orange juice, apricot foam); Southside, Old-Fashioned; Espresso Martini and Aperol Spritz. There's also a selection of Digestifs including Cognac, Armagnac and Calvados; and French Liquors such as Francois Voyer Pineau des Charentes, Cognac, Chartreuse, Massenez Golden 8 and Grand Marnier.

Meanwhile the impressive carefully curated wine list offers drops from all of the top wine growing regions of France, including Alsace, the Loire Valley, Provence/Langedoc, Burgundy, Rhône Valley and Bordeaux. The choice of Champagne and Sparkling Wines ranges up to premium offerings like 2015 Champagne Bolinger Grande Année, 2015 Champagne Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ and the ultimate indulgence, 2002 Champagne Salon.

Good to know - Brisbane residents who remember and miss the fantastic fine dining bistros that once were found dotted across the suburbs will find much to love here, with excellent acoustics, plenty of space between tables, charming ambience first class service and premium food without the pretension.

Need to know - Look for the sign on George Street outside the yellow door. 

*The Private Dining Room incurs an 8% surcharge for all bookings.

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