Travelling in France might seem like a dream to some people in the current economic climate. So, while we wait for an upswing in the economy, here’s how you can find the secrets of French style right here in your own backyard.
Thanks to a new book, Finding France in Australia, Francophiles won’t need a plane ticket to savour the secrets of French style, food, language and culture.
Take two friends who work together, both with a passion for everything French, who live in Australia yet yearn for French food, decor and style…Alison fell in love with France at first sight and is now married to a Frenchman. Sally also fell instantly in love with France and travels there as often as possible.
Together they started collecting a list of their favourite ‘French finds’ in Australia and organised them into six sections: Au Restaurant (French cafés and restaurants); Let’s Cook! (food stores, pâtisseries and specialist cheeses); From Champagne to Cognac (wineries and wine stores); My French Home (décor and design); À la Mode (fashion and cosmetics) and Masterclass (French language, culture and cooking).
They also wanted to share their passion for French culture and history so the book includes interviews with some of Australia’s leading French personalities, and articles about food customs, wine and the secrets of French style.
Enjoy trouvant la France en Australie — Finding France in Australia! Here’s an exclusive online sample of just what you can find in Finding France in Australia.
BISTRO THIERRY
511 Malvern Road
Hawksburn Vic (03) 9824 0888
You don”t get much more French than this! Entering Bistro Thierry is like stepping into a buzzing French bistro. Much of the restaurant’s authenticity is thanks to the French staff and the charming décor. The menu combines classic French dishes and innovative modern French cuisine.
CHEZ BOB
22 Beatty Avenue
Armadale Vic (03) 9824 8022
This intimate French restaurant, nestled in a peaceful avenue just off Malvern Road, offers a selection of traditional French cuisine served by French staff. The courtyard is a delightful area to dine in on a balmy summer evening while the interior has a warm, welcoming ambiance.
THE BRASSERE BY PHILIPPE MOUCHEL
Crown Riverside, 8 Whiteman Street
Southbank Vic (03) 92927808
www.thebrasserieatcrown.com.au
Philippe’s elegant restaurant with its riverside views is known for contemporary French cuisine and both Australian and French wines. Philippe came to Australia in 1991 to open Paul Bocuse’s restaurant. His new restaurant was awarded a hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2009.
GUILLAUME AT BENNELONG
Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point Sydney (02) 9241 1999
www.guillaumeatbennelong.com.au
Guillaume’s spectacularly-located restaurant has been famous since it first opened in 2001 for classically French-influenced food, combining expertise with excellent ingredients. Two hats in The Sydney Good Food Guide 2009.
LE TRÈS BON
40 Malbon Street
Bungendore NSW (02) 6238 0662
Traditional provincial French cuisine including cassoulet, cheese fondue, pâté and escargots … there’s also a cooking school.
BAGUETTE BISTRO + BAR
150 Racecourse Road
Ascot Qld (07) 3268 6168
A dining institution founded 32 years ago and recently transformed into an avante garde bistro.
DOMINIQUE PORTET WINERY
870 Maroondah Highway
Coldstream Vic (03) 5962 5760
One of the very few French-Australian wineries. Dominique himself is a ninth-generation French winemaker bringing impressive background knowledge to Australian-grown wines. The charming Cellar Door sales building provides ‘Winemakers’ Luncheons’ of simple, delicious food while you taste Dominique’s wines and browse among the French-made and French inspired products.
ULTIMO WINE CENTRE
Shop C21/99 Jones Street
Ultimo NSW (02) 9211 2380
A heaven-in-Sydney for French winelovers — and of course, there are Australian wines as well. Most popular French wines? Côte du Rhône. They also do tastings and you can order online from the website.
LA BERGERIE
141 Maling Road
Canterbury Vic (03) 9830 7915
This distinctive shop founded in 2006 mainly sells French cheeses along with groceries, smallgoods and French wine. The most popular cheese ? Blue vein.
JEFF DE BRUGES
106 King Street
Sydney (02) 9232 3875
Chocolatier Jeff de Bruges may originally be Belgian but the chocolates are made from traditional French recipes. This is the first Australian store.
KOKO LANE
507 Church Street
Richmond Vic (03) 9428 7121
French inspired furniture and homewares — this lovely store stocks a great range of French style furniture and ideas for your house including mirrors, glass, ceramics, photo frames and more.
L’ÉTE PROVENCE
10 Claremont Avenue
Malvern Vic (03) 9500 2493
An elegant little French boutique with a delightful collection of uniquely French table linen and homewares including the famous Les Olivades table linen and decorating pieces.
GAUDION FURNITURE
356 New South Head Road
Double Bay NSW (02) 8117 9009v www.gaudions.com.au
Exclusive quality furniture and accessories to create beautiful, predominantly French environments. The showroom is often described as ‘a little bit of France’.
MADAME B
6 Inkerman Street
St Kilda Vic (03) 9534 3348
Behind the golden door you’ll find imported French clothes as well as fragrances and gift ideas regularly sourced from France.
RADIO 2RRR SYDNEY — “TRAMPOLINE” FRENCH RADIO PROGRAM
Frequency 88.5FM
Trampoline, “pour l’amour de la musique” is a cultural and musical radio program presented live in Sydney every Tuesday night from 9-10.30.
LE FORUM – THE FRENCH BOOKSHOP IN AUSTRALIA
3 Westgate Mall
Fremantle WA (03) 9335 5730
A treasure trove for Francophones (lovers of the French language) and Francophiles (lovers of France and all things French). Le Forum imports directly from France and has a wide range of French books, films, CDs, etc.
