29 June 2010

Sel et Poivre: French, Darlinghurst (1 Dec 2009)

263 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone (02) 9361 6530
http://seletpoivre.com.au


French bistro in Darlo

As you sit down in this cosy restaurant you can hear spotted conversations in French from the customers and waiters which is a comforting sound for a French restaurant. The menu is equally enticing with so many classic French options to choose from. The decor is a little more casual than Tabou and Onde and the seating is a bit more squeezed together. The Country style paté with cornichons and baguette ($14.50) was more rustic in texture than Onde's Duck liver pate and quite filling. Crispy Galette of Fresh Swimmer Crab, Leeks and sauce a l'americaine ($15.50) sounded intriguing but didn't quite deliver for me as I found it a bit dry and it seemed to lose the taste of the delicate fresh swimmer crab — perhaps served with a crab or prawn bisque might have given it more flavour and moistness.

The substantial serving of Seared Veal Liver with a French Shallot sauce and Frites ($23.50) will certainly satisfy the offal lovers — not really my thing though. Duck leg confit with lentils and salad ($25.90) was nice and simple. Homemade sorbet with raspberry coulis ($13.90) is perhaps a little on the pricey side considering there's Messina Gelato just down the road but it was refreshing. Tabou has been my long standing benchmark for a good crème brûlée in Sydney and Sel et Poivre's Authentic Crème brûlée with fresh vanilla beans ($13.90) came pretty close with noticeable vanilla bean seeds and a very good hard caramelised topping. Wines were nice and service pretty friendly and helpful. I'd like to revisit and try other things on the menu.

Other French restaurants visited:
Tabou - Surry Hills, 27 June 2010
Sel e Poirve - Darlinghurst, 1 Dec 2009
Tabou - Surry Hills, 9 Oct 2009
Onde - Darlinghurst, 25 Sept 2009
Chez Pascale Cuisine Francaise - Sans Souci, 8 July 2009

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: French speaking waiters and customers, nice and cosy decor, Interesting menu
CONS: Can get busy so book ahead, Limited parking in the area
MUST TRY: Crème brûlée


Basket of Freshly Baked Baguette $5.50

Crispy Galette of Fresh Swimmer Crab, Leeks and sauce a l'americaine $15.50

Country style paté with cornichons and baguette $14.50

Seared Veal Liver with a French Shallot sauce and Frites $23.50

Duck leg confit with lentils and salad $25.90

Homemade sorbet with raspberry coulis $13.90


Authentic Crème brûlée with fresh vanilla beans $13.90

Tim Adams Pinot Gris, Clare Valley SA 2009 $9.50, De Bortoli Vat 2 Sauvignon Blanc NSW 2008 $8

L'Opera de Villerambert Shiraz Grenache, France $9.50, De Bortoli Vat 2 Sauvignon Blanc NSW 2008 $8






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Cafe Sel Et Poivre on Urbanspoon

4 comments:

john@heneedsfood said...

Loving the look of that veal liver!

missklicious said...

I'm craving comfort food in this freezing weather, and this looks perfect! Especially love the look of the galette and creme brulee

Betty @ The Hungry Girl said...

This place looks really interesting. I'm going to have to give it a try - that galette looks delicious!

Simon Leong said...

hi john, sounds like you're a real offal fan. it could be a winner for you.

hi missklicious, French food is such a cold weather food isn't it. it's a nice cosy place inside to escape the cold winter we're having.

hi betty, let me know what you try. i'm curious to know what their snails are like but a bit too scared to try them :-)

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