Philippe in Melbourne was a sophisticated French restaurant that offered a warm, elegant atmosphere and refined dishes with a modern touch, showcasing rich flavors and classic technique. We dined a la carte for our anniversary.
Food
We started with a hand diced tartare 100g with sher wagyu beef rump and pomegranate for $32. It was exquisitely tender, with the rich sher wagyu perfectly complemented by bursts of sweet, tangy pomegranate. Each bite was vibrant and balanced, making it a memorable start to the meal.
Of course we had to try the foie de volaille for $16. This was a chicken liver parfait with red currant jelly on toasted brioche. It was silky and rich, with a delicate, savoury depth that paired beautifully with the sweet-tart jelly. Each bite was smooth, flavourful, and perfectly balanced.
This was willowzen free range oeuf mimosa for $15. It was creamy and indulgent, with the delicate sweetness of spanner crab enhancing the classic deviled egg. It was interesting, and we’re glad we tried something different, but nothing crazy-amazing that would make us eat this again.
It’s not a French restaurant if we don’t try the burgundy snails pesillade, 6 for $28. The snails were tender and flavorful, with a rich garlic-parsley butter that infused every bite with aromatic depth. Each snail was perfectly cooked, offering a satisfying taste that lingered delightfully on the palate. The fried crouton sticks were perfect with this dish.
For our mains, we had the Humpty Doo barramundi in madras curry sauce and rice medley for $50. The fish was perfectly cooked, with flaky, delicate flesh that absorbed the vibrant sauce. The curry and rice medley added a nice fragrance to the bite.
Our final dish was the Loddon estate dry aged duck breast rotisserie for $72. This was accompanied with a braised leg carbonnade, quince and jus. We loved that the duck was served two ways: confit and dry aged. It added a lot of dimensions to the dish. The duck breast itself was perfectly seared, tender, and juicy, with the rich jus and sweet quince enhancing its deep, savoury flavors.
Service
The service was amazing. Our server was very real when we asked if it was enough food, or whether we should come back for the $300 24-hour duck – which she said was not that much different to the duck we had already eaten. We appreciated her honesty. At least next time, we can spend more stomach space on other dishes.
Review
We really enjoyed the food. It was a straightforward classic French cuisine that we appreciated, with reasonable prices.
Thanks for reading. Happy eating!
Thanks for reading. Happy eating!
