Bistro Papillon — Restaurant in Sydney

Kevin and I, enjoy our quiet atmospheric dinner several times a year celebrating each others birthdays, or any other occasion that we can think of during the year to gives us a justified reason to book a glorious dinner for two, at our special table at Bistro Papillon. So we come to milestone celebratios in our lives Kevin's 92nd Birthday and 50 years partnership of our lives together.. Question Where do we take a selection of close family and friends to to celebrate these milestones. Answer There was only one response BISTRO PAPILLON,, We confirmed the booking date with management, and then discussed the PARTY MENU tailoring the selections to meet our needs. We also had a tasting of wines recommended, and the night was set, let's have a celebration. We chose to mail invitations to our guests, and received a positive response form all. invitees, some mentioning that they had heard of the restaurant, by word of mouth but had then forgotten about ti. So the night of our dinner became a celebration and also for some of our guests a chance for them to judge the food and atmosphere for themselves. Having welcome drinks of sparkling wine on arrival at 6pm gave everyone a chance to mingle and chat. Around 6-30pm we endeavoured to have everyone seated, and our hosts explained the menu's again which we printed (the restaurant had printed some but we chose to do so on special paper) The entrees' would be a mixed selection of most of the entrees' to be shared as a starter plate. Everyone was able to select their own mains and desert from a generous selection of these dishes. We chose to have the palate cleanser :LE COLONEL: offered to each guest with the added dash of VODKA topping to refresh ones palate. Continually throughout the night the friendly staff moved around the room replenishing drinks clearing tables like clockwork but also hardly noticing their presence. Next came the main's selected each and every meal piping hot, and a treat to the eye in presentation. A selection of fresh vegetables and Paris Mash also served to be shared. The conversation subdued except for the judging and comparison of each dish. Again after mains table cleared, and desert's were served, from a generous selection on the menu, followed by tea and coffee.

Now the discussion turned to YES we agree with our other friends recommendation that we must try this restaurant. We shall certainly be back Of our 34 guests we did not receive any negative feedback. Everyone was complimented the entire night on the atmosphere of the restaurant and the selection of the food and wines. Everyone finished the night content of sharing wonderful food, paired with wines we selected. The only downside Kevin and I have is that if any or all of our friends decide to dine again at Bistro Papillon, how hard is it going to be for us to get our favourite table.

Bistro Papillon is located in Clarence Street in Sydney close to Wynyard Railway station, also we believe there are several car parking stations close by. The restaurant, offers a choice of dining times (check their website) Apologies for extensive writings, but this is a warm friendly venue not overly large but homely where all diners receive a warm French greeting on arrival and continues all night. We rate BISTRO PAPILLON 5 stars Food Presentation Wait Staff Kitchen Staff

Ronald Blair and...

2025...The first time I dined at Bistro Papillon was 6 and a half years ago for my 50th birthday. I stand behind everything I wrote in my original review (below/edited) all those years ago. It gives me great pleasure to say, Bistro Papillon is just as good as my 1st dining experience. Thank you again for transporting me to a little piece of Paris, Beniot, Amandie & Chefs. Side note... order the Ile Flonttont for dessert... really, order it!

2019...(edited) This is more of a thank you than a review. Yesterday, I turned 50. All I wanted for my 50th, was to be in Paris; enjoying all there is to being in Paris. It's been a dream for a long time. What better way to celebrate anything, than being in that amazing city. The city of Arts , Culture and Love. Everything I've imagined in my head and what I've heard about Paris, would have been fulfilled by sitting in some little bistro or cafe, in Paris. But alas, not to be. I've walked past Bistro Papillion so many times over the last 12 months. It was as close to anything Parisian I could have dreamed of. Last night, I got my little piece of Paris. From the onset of walking in, I was transported. If I knew I wasn't in Sydney, Bistro Papillon could have been any Bistro in the City of lights. I really wouldn't have known the difference. Everything, from the lighting, the ambiance, the service, took me out of Sydney. If allowed, I could have just sat there for hours, soaking in what I believed was a French Bistro, drinking wine and just watching the world go by. So, the next best thing to my Parisian dream was, Bistro Papillon. The food, was subline. I was determined to try Snails. We know France for many things, and snails are no exception. My family and colleagues turned their noses up at this dish, but I was pumped! Snails it was. And I don't regret it, one bit. Afterall, I was 50 and in Parisian restaurant. What was funny, the waiter was a surprised, but impressed, I order Snails. Maybe Aussies are not game enough. Forget, when in Rome, when in Bistro Papillon, 'eat snails', I say! They were butterery, delicate and tasty. Curiosity got the better of my daughters. They asked if they could try. One daughter, couldn't believe she just ate a snail. I think she liked it. The other daughter brushed it off as, no big deal. The bread, amazing. It's just so morishish though. I ordered the Beaujolais. This wine complimented everything I ate. It was delicate in flavour, light and so easy on the palette. I recommend having the cleansing sorbert with vodka. You will need it between entrees and mains. Remember, French food is typically richer than most cuisines. Plus, it's a bit naughty with the Vodka. Great detail goes into Bistro Papillion's menu. One daughter ordered the Beouf Borgenoun, served with French Mash. OMG! The Beef just melted like butter in the mouth. The mash, creamy and delicate. Your eyes will roll back in your head. Yum yum yum! You won't resist eating it all up. I wanted to be in Paris. I was, for just 1 night. I want to thank Bistro Papillion for giving me moment of pure Parisian pleasure and service. I am so...

Escargot in garlic n parsley 3/5, plump buttery snails, perfect to tickle your appetite. Use the bread to mop up the gravy pls.

Beef tartar w mayo 3.5/5, diced a little 'chunkier' than normal provided good texture, the onion parsley mustard mayo etc were not overwhelming, allowing one to enjoy the beef.

Onion soup 3/5, served piping hot w enough consistency n flavour in the broth.

Salad nicoise w smoked trout 4/5, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, olives, boiled egg n mustard dressing. My firm fav. Fish, potatoes n eggs served warm, all 3 elements perfectly cooked. Again the amount of dressing was just right n not overpowering the salad. Yolk was on the cusp of being set. A simple elegantly executed dish.

Risotto w chicken 3/5, give me hokkien fried rice instead of risotto any day really. To be fair, risotto was cooked on point, not too mushy nor too grainy. Broth absorbed properly. A sprinkle of black pepper n parmesan, you are good to go.

Duck confit w bean cassoulet n bordelaise sauce 3.25/5, cant do french without duck confit. A slight deviation from the usual french duck confit standing proud among hash/mash n some veg, this one had traditional humble bean cassoulet (minus the sausage/bacon) lending it support, neutralizing the salt n fat with its stew.

Charcuterie, chicken pate, smoked ham, shredded duck pate, saucisson salami 3.75/5. Another fav of mine, it was on the special board so not on their dinner menu. The pate is to die for.

Rabbit casserole w white wine mustard carrots cream mushroom w a side of butter pasta 1.75/5, too much butter, dry rabbit, way too heavy n creamy n the pasta simply worsened the experience. Might have worked with a strong dry red, which we did not order.

Creme brulee 2.75/5, tasted fine but was cold. Candle was a nice touch for the bday girl. Kudos to them for remembering as it was mentioned a week before at the time of reservation.

Service was friendly, attentive but unobtrusive. A noisy intimate venue but a well managed floor. We finished off w a digestif degustation...