Vamps BYO Bistro

Ph: (02) 9331 1032; 227 Glenmore Rd, PADDINGTON 2021

modern australian, $$ -, * for Food
Open Breakfast-lunch Sat-Sun, dinner Tue-Sat, Closed Good Friday; Unlicensed, BYO, Corkage $3 person; AE DC MC V, Seats inside 45, Outside seats, Private room 3, Kids welcomed

Mietta's Review
When you are in the mood to indulge in a great bottle of BYO with a straightforward, well-prepared francophile meal, this is the place. Tiny, cosy, welcoming and always crowded, Vamps looks, smells and tastes like it belongs more in the Marais than in Five Ways. There is seating for about eight in the front area, a few rooms out back and a private party room upstairs. In recent years the fare has veered slightly into Mod Oz territories but the core menu remains unreconstructed French bistro - and let it stay that way. Bring on the Bordeaux.

Other published opinions

Sydney Eats 2008 "Here's a restaurant that has certainly mastered the formula for longevity: a classic, even retro, mostly French menu, charming service, cosy feel and a prime position"

Sydney Eats 2006 "Despite the high turnover of restaurants and cafes at busy Five Ways, Vamps continues to flourish after 22 years in the game. The French theme remains and in true French style there's a great value prix-fixe three course meal for $40"

SBS Eating Guide to Sydney 2005 "Longevity is the key when it comes to successful Sydney French restauran and Vamps is no exception. With its series of different rooms you can find an environment to suit your moodfrom a comfy homestyle dining room to a gypsy caravan, complete with banquette and overhead canopy. The French bistro menu has everything you'd expect-pate maison, soupe a l'oignon, coq au vin and creme brulee-plus"

Sydney Eats 2005 "These days, it seems like every shopfront at Five Ways in Paddo is a restaurant. Once, though, there was pretty much just this much-loved, still-good French-themed oldtimer."