Becasse or Bistro Moncur or Claude or Est

[debbieann]

We'd like to go out for another nice dinner in Sydney. I loved Quay and Tetsuya's. Trying to decide where to eat next.

Unimpressed with Marque and Bistro Ortolan and Oscillate Wildly. We aren't all about fancy food - also love gumshara ramen, mamak and various other places. Food is definitely more important than ambiance. We enjoyed Tastevin.

We haven't been to any of the ones I have listed, haven't been to Sean's Panorama either. Ideally we would like stunning food. We like all sorts of cuisine. We will probably, if we are here long enough, get around to all those I have listed, because we do like to find out for ourselves, just trying to decide where to go next.

bonus: we'll post photos and Charles will write about it.

(if you are interested in joining us, let me know, thinking about this thurs/ or fri)

[debbieann]

ok we went to Assiette and enjoyed it! The chef is there watching and tasting every plate that goes out. We did the degustation. Photos are here, and review will be coming later -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/haynes/s...

[PhilD]

I was also going to suggest "Assiette" it is pretty much top of our list after a chef in London recommended it to us.

[debbieann]

thank you for the reply. I think I prefer intimate over big night out. wow, assiette looks great and I hadn't even heard of it - thanks for that! I like that BM doesn't take bookings, but it does sound like it is better midweek.

[debbieann]

ok that looks great, and reasonable too! and close by.

[debbieann]

ok, we're going to assiette!

[stanleyk]

Excellent call Phil, one of the best value lunches I have had anywhere in the world, limited to Friday, but worth an afternoon off!

http://www.restaurantassiette.com.au/...

[PhilD]

Tricky.

Becasse and Bistro Moncur are both very French influenced, if we had Michelin in Australia I would say BM is a sold one star and Becasse could be two. BM is good quality bistro food, whilst Becasse is more restaurant quality i.e. more complex and involved dishes. It is a long time since I visited Claude's and Est but I would have said Claudes food was a little ahead of Est but both fine diners, although Claudes has recently dropped a hat which is a slight concern. Choosing between the two I would say it is a choice of style. Claudes smaller and more intimate, Est is a big night out type of place.

BM is one of my favourite comfort food places, mid week on Sunday night but maybe not a big Saturday if that makes sense. They are all on my list for a revisit but the order will probably be dictated by availability of bookings. Would love to join you but resting the wallet after last weekend.