bistro gitan

we visited bistrogitanhaving previously dined at the slightly more casual cousin l’hotelgitanand consequently found the original surprisingly not as impressive. the menu is largely the same but slightly more expensive and the clientele is a couple of decades older. i personally enjoyed the atmosphere at hotel g more and the selection of accompanying steak sauce yummier.

not to say the steak isn’t delicious here too but i actually found the desserts the tastiest course of the evening. we had the creme brulee and a chocolate caramel creation which was super decadent with lots of delectable textures and flavours.

note if you’re a vegetarian i’d suggest picking another restaurant as there is not one veggie main available and i even struggled with finding an entree being pregnant, the only thing i could have was pumpkin gnocchi which i would not have typically ordered

another delicious experience. i ate at bistrogitanlast week for lunch and, once again (this was my fourth or fifth time there) was so impressed and satisfied with all aspects of the experience. young, friendly and enthusiastic staff, the perfect piece of steak with chippies (and wonderful wine to match) and a selection of desserts that i am still dreaming about (calorie central but once you taste them you won't even care!). also, food and wine is very well priced, which means receiving the bill isn't a scary thought. will be back...again!

the restaurant setting was intimate which i really appreciated. we weren’t given a drinks menu which was confusing at the beginning when we were asked what drinks we would like. the zucchini flower entree was exquisite and really set a high standard for the night. however i feel like bistrogitanwere just short of our expectations. the steak tartare was pleasant but i feel like it lacked a little flavour. the charcuterie board was unexpectedly disappointing - the meat just did not taste good. the spatchcock tasted quite lovely and we had no complaints. the rockling was dry and i was not the biggest fan of the sauce. the wine was really lovely otherwise. overall i feel as though i would not come back again because i feel like the quality of the food was subpar and could be slightly improved

lovely lunch. i recently popped in to bistrogitanin south yarra and was rewarded with the most delightful lunch. the staff were so welcoming and inviting (and good looking!). i had the menu du jour that comprised a crispy quail salad (salade belge) with spicy lentil soup for just $23. it was all so delicious, i even indulged in a coffee creme brûlée for dessert. i have since bought friends back and it is all our new favourite restaurant.

a very pleasant lunch!. a friend suggested bistrogitanfor a catch up lunch and we were not disappointed. a lovely room looking out over the autumn hues of fawkner park. we started with the seafood soup which was delicious and i followed with the main of tasmanian trumpeter which did not disappoint. we shared a bottle of castro martin albarino which i can heartily recommend so much so in fact we ordered a couple of extra glasses. all in all it was a pleasant dining experience. our waiter was a little speedy - slopping the wine into the glasses but did manage a smile at the end. main courses getting up to $50 each if you add a couple of side vegetables but then that's on a par with other melbourne restaurants. we'll be back!

bistrogitanis an easy walk away from the tram stop. especially since the parking around is either 1hr or 2hr - the hassle just wasn't worth it!

ordered:
petite
🥦 chargrilled asparagus, pea puree, broad beans and preserved lemon ($15.00)

moyen
🐟 hiramasa kingfish ceviche, grapefruit segments, buckwheat, dill ($26.00)

steak frites
🥩 230g eye fillet withgitandressing ($49.00)
🥩 300g scotch fillet with chimichurri sauce ($53.00)

blackboard
🍮 panna cotta ($16.00)

review:
really enjoyed the chargrilled asparagus. i personally would've appreciated more of that smoky burnt flavour by leaving it on for a bit longer... but having the clean crunchy texture with the crispy parmesan snaps was a perfect combination to start our meal.

the steak was decent. good size and the chimichurri sauce is one of my favourites. was surprised it was offered as sauce option when chimichurri originates from argentina - not necessarily france.
gitan sauce turned out to be bistro gitan's house cream base sauce, heavily infused with anchovies. i didn't feel like that was off putting as was quite tolerable. would recommend this if the other sauces aren't appealing!

service was almost great. really bantered well with a female waitress when she recognised where my playsuit was from, but we did order the steak frites with sides (mustard, potato gratin, and garden salad). the sides weren't delivered... so it was removed from the bill.
no big deal because we had enough food, but the perception of my own food (and how it could've been better) and of the organisation for bistrogitanwasn't favourable.

panna cotta was a great way to finish the meal, it's on the blackboard, and provided enough textures (e.g. crunchy granola, soft juicy mango) to really add a nice diversity. would've been a 3/5 without the panna cotta - but it was really good. so 4/5 is the final for bistro gitan!

jacques reymond was my favourite french restaurant in melbourne..great service and impeccable food and i was a bit upset when it was closed. i had been meaning to try bistrogitanowned by one of his kids and today it is! the whole meal was beautiful. we ordered the croque moussier, gnocchi, fish, potato and cheese gratin and chocolate pudding. every dish was finesse! loved it.

@bistrogitan
to say french is my favourite cuisine would be an understatement!
everything we tried was fantastic, my friend gaya and i started with a dirty martini and a mohito.
we shared several dishes, the escargot and parfait were fab! the raw king fish is definite. we had one of the specials which was the quail and we both had serve with their potato gratin. the list of wines were impressive and complimented the food well. will be a regular visitor here!

we have lived around the corner from bistrogitanfor almost 5 years, and for some reason have yet to make the visit. being our anniversary, i thought this would be the perfect time to pop over and experience their ‘romantic atmosphere’ i hear so much about. atmosphere & service

my favourite place for steak and chips or for something a little more fancy, bistrogitanconsistency severs up beautiful and mouth-watering food. the waiters are friendly and known the wine list well. it’s busy throughout the week but definitely worth the wait. for those who have a small appetite, i would make the strategic move and order the garfish for main so you have room for dessert. if you’ve just come from a hour/s odd exercise and after eating no more than a salad for lunch, than order the steak and chips with a side of greens.

i keep coming back regardless of the time of year whether for lunch or dinner or a glass of interesting wine and charcuterie plate. i will be interested to try hotelgitanand its mixed reviews.

a most pleasant celebration. we came to the bistrogitanto celebrate my wife's birthday and could not have chosen a better restaurant. it was a success in every way. we managed to park right outside the door. late due to traffic gridlock resulting from tramway works in chapel street the staff were sympathetic and friendly. the ambience was excellent and the wait staff were most helpful and efficient. rather than have main courses we settled for the tapas and entrée style dishes a charcuterie plate and a mousse for dessert. the dishes included "beignets" "trotter" croquettes, calves liver etc., every dish being an absolute delight. the portions were quite generous and the waiters advice excellent. we could not have had a more delightful evening. we'll certainly be back soon.

which is what i can say about bistrogitanin general. the food was decent, the service was friendly and efficient and it was a fun night in good company, but nothing was memorable. there really needs to be one knock-out item on the menu, and there simply wasn't. it's a shame because all the right elements are to there, but as show business says, there's no x-factor. still, for a nice-enough night out with excellent service, bistrogitanis a sensible pick.

a wintery day during mid week led me back to bistrogitanas i was taking out my client and needed a cosy place with good quality food it was my second visit and i was l looking forward to seeing if it had improved since my last visit.

tues nite dinner with chef. 9/4/13 early 6.30pm dinner. warmly welcomed, invited to bar or; be seated at our table. considering their bar is such a lovely meeting place, definitely worth remembering as a destination for a catch up with friends over winter around a fireplace.
drank: nv veuve cliquot glass & little creatures beer
btl henri boillot bourgogne blanc

ate: shucked oysters natural and with condiments
croque madame with blue swimmer crab
petuna ocean trout w/ spiced cucumber melon & horseradish aioli
assiette of charcuterie
selection de fromages x 3
by 7.30pm there was not an empty chair to be had. the locals are fortunate bistrogitanhas landed nearby and wise enough to book ahead. love an open kitchen to see who's cooking, the pressure mounting as orders are called and the good cheer of a room full of happy diners. bistrogitannow a regular favourite. highly recommended.