Flinders Inn is the creation of an impressive team, with head chef Morgan McGlone (ex-Salt), Darran Smith (ex-Icebergs) and Rob Young (ex-Uccello, NBI) running the show. It is cosy 40 seater French bistro situated by a bustling intersection on Flinders Street. The daily specials written with a tangerine crayon adorn the mirrors around the room, while happy diners sat around tables with crisp, white linen tablecloth painted by the reflection of the reflecting ruby votives.
The food is rich, french bistro style, with very reasonable prices (all entrees $16, all mains $27) and there is a good mix of Australian and French wines on the list, with the option of by the glass, half bottle carafes and full bottles. If you order by the glass or by the carafe, the wine is poured at the table – it is an act more restaurants should do!
As I looked at my menu, I notived that even the fidgety 10 year old boy on the next table was completely silent when the food arrived. He was savouring every bite of his juicy steak, and he repeated the performance once dessert arrived as well.
We started with amazingly fresh oysters from Merimbulla, followed by…
Chicken liver parfait, cornichons, toasted sourdough - best I've had in a while! Highly recommended
Seared scallops, pickled Jeruselem artichokes, watercress salad
Chargrilled Scotch fillet, pomme frites and sauce Bernaise - also highly recommended.
Duck Confit, peas a la francaise
Molleaux au chocolat, honey ice cream $11
Tarte citron, creme fraiche
Rob Young was ever so kind to add to my caloric intake with a complimentry slice of lemon tart, before what I ordered arrived:
Fromage, Lavosh, fig jam, walnut bread
Cheese of the night was Buche D’Affinois – my absolute weakness when it comes to soft cheese. I had an amazing evening, thank you boys! A return visit is definitely on the books, before it becomes all too hard to get a table.
http://flindersinn.com/
160a Flinders St
Paddington
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omg……… i want it all…. the lemon tart and the cheese looked absolutely amazing!
A pleasant change to the big hype restaurants that have opened of late. Food is the usual French bistro suspects but the produce is fresh, the quality excellent, portions generous and prices recession friendly!!
To add to the positives they have a nice eclectic wine list, the service is professional, just the right amount of friendliness and the wonderful fun atmosphere.
Walking past you would not know it was a restaurant as the building is non-descript, the windows opaque with only a small menu outside that gives any hint as to what is behind the orange door!!
Dining here is like dining at a friends place only better food!!