From Paris with Love

If you’ve wandered along South Bank’s Little Stanley Street recently, you’ll notice that it’s become quite a melting pot of flavours. The mostly restaurant-spotted strip offers cuisine from countries such as Turkey, Japan, Spain and, the latest addition: France. French Martini is a sophisticated charcuterie, Champagne and cocktail bar, with comprehensive selection of entirely French cuisine and drinks. The bistro itself opens up with views of the lush grassy lawn, with plush pink bench seating, tall individual café-style tables with bar stools, hanging plants and settings with candles, creating a relaxed Parisian chic vibe. With The London Club and Parc Restaurant & Bar as former ventures, owners Louise and Stuart Price decided on a French-themed venue after honeymooning in the country and developing an indubitable fondness of all things French, from foie gras through to their joie de vivre. Despite my boyfriend’s (somewhat) unrefined palette, he was won over by the charcuterie plate of air-dried Wagyu and Pork Crudo served up with a morish tomato sauce, pickle and toasted baguette. The confit duck filo was also a great success, as were the mussels marinieres cooked in French wine, golden eschallots, parsley and garlic. The bistros namesake French Martini made with pureed char-grilled pineapple was a very tasty adaptation, but I was instantly smitten with the Domaine Philippe Collote Marsanny Blanc – a gorgeously refreshing white burgundy. It was the perfect accompaniment to the divine food, ambient setting and a blissfully balmy Brisbane Sunday. French Martini is open 7 days for lunch and dinner.

French Martini

Little Stanley St, South Bank

P 3844 5541