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

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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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