JULIET ATE HERE | receipt no. 11 — Bar Romanée, Yarraville
Bar Romanée, Yarraville
(a true Adventure Friday detour)
We picked Tzaki in Yarraville from Sam at Etta’s list. No bookings, a small drive, perfect. We arrived to find a function. In true Adventure Friday style, we asked the staff for a suggestion. They graciously gave us a list, Pizza d’Asporto, Chi Bao, Bar Romanée. My logic was simple, if this place is meant to be good, the staff should also know what else is good nearby.
We tried Chi Bao and the team said, “Not for tonight, sorry.” We walked to Bar Romanée, and thankfully they said, “We have two seats at the bar.” Yes please.
The greeting at the door felt genuinely warm, like being invited into a home. There were plenty of servers on, and at the bar we felt very cared for. A question we have learned to ask is, what are the must try dishes. Our waitress listed a few, and we pretty much ordered all her suggestions.
What we ordered
Anchovy, Potato Crisp, Caesar, $8 each
Raw Tuna, Cumquat, Cashew Cream, Wild Rice, $26
Crispy Skin Chicken Breast, Cauliflower, Jus Gras, $42
Brussels Sprouts, Honey, Hazelnut, Ricotta Salata, $16
Two glasses, Louis de Grenelle sparkling
The crisp tasted like a potato chip come to life, all the condiments piled on top of a house made crisp. Sam and I looked at each other and said wow. So glad we ordered that. The raw tuna was a flavour bomb, the addition of cumquat really elevated the dish. The crispy chicken breast was so tasty and full of flavour, from the chicken to the sauce to the cauliflower purée. The jus made us wish we had ordered bread, or just had the confidence to lick our plates clean. The brussels sprouts were on because they are in season, the perfect accompaniment, sweet and caramelised. Delicious French food with some flair.
We would return for the cooking, which is every bit as good as our favourite French restaurant. When we are in the west and want French, this is where we would come.
The room is lined with French posters, wine, and many cookbooks on the shelves. The restaurant was full, mostly people dining in twos.
We appreciated chatting with the staff and learning that the classic menu items stay put, while small details change with the season, which keeps things interesting for regulars. The chef owner was in the kitchen while we were there and the team referred to her fondly.
We told the Bar Romanée staff that we were sent there from Tzaki and he told us that Alex, who owns Tzaki, is a great guy with many years of experience in the Melbourne restaurant scene. He also mentioned they are opening a new chicken place called Kokoras, one door down from Tzaki.
We were grateful to the Tzaki staff for directing us here, and grateful to find a spot on a very busy night in Yarraville. It was Adventure Friday in full steam. A new suburb for us, a place we had not dined in before, a pivot at the door, a list from one team, a welcome from another. Everything we ordered was exceptionally delicious. We left happy and satisfied, glad we asked the questions we asked. And we will be venturing back to Yarraville to try and get a seat at Tzaki.
Total: $130
Details: Bar Romanée, 25 Anderson St, Yarraville VIC 3013.
