Bistrot Balzac

Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000

Contributors' Choice
Page 24

The Balzac is back in safe hands. A restaurant for more than 50 years, it was named Café Balzac by George and Mirka Mora in the 1950s. Since then it has been through many changes of name and ownership. After border incursions from neighboring countries like Italy, Greece and Spain, a young couple is now re-establishing its French roots.

Justin and Martine Forrester don't lack experience in the food and wine industry and their energy is already pushing this restaurant into the "I will return" category.

The wine list has many boutique vineyards represented - little places that you'd only know if you'd driven past them. And in keeping with the restaurant's forebears there are some ripper Rhone selections.

Chef Jeanette Young ranges her offerings across France and further. She can cook with style and finesse such as with her elegantly stuffed pigs trotters, and she can also produce food with flavour and earthiness as in her pastas and minced veal roll. If you say yes to the kitchen's daily specials you can't go wrong (which is often the way in any restaurant).

Atmosphere at the Balzac is relaxing French style. It's cosily located in a branch off Wellington Parade, away from the main traffic route. Large floor-length windows looks out onto the trees on the median strip. Bright yellow walls, deep blue carpet, French style bar for a drink, several dining areas upstairs and down, each with their own particular environment. Staff dressed in a smart casual fashion move easily between well-spaced tables. A friendly place popular with tourists from the five star hotels on the eastern edge of the city, and with locals.

62 Wellington Parade
East Melbourne
Melways reference 2G:F5
Phone: 9419 6599
Opening hours:7 days Lunch: 12 noon-3pm, Dinner: 6pm-10.30pm, Wine bar remains open licensed until 1am.
Licensed
Accept credit cards
Seating inside: 90
Features: Restricted smoking, kids encouraged, private rooms seat 10, 16 and 24
Favourites: Croquette of pigs trotter and truffle on aubergine and tomato $12, Braised leek fritatta and goat's fetta salad, rocquette pesto $13, Veal & Pistachio medallions, butter brioche & mushroom blanquette $22, Jeanette's fresh fig & rosewater mascapone tart $8.50