Bringing Parisian savoir-vivre to the streets of East Fremantle.
George Street is a charming pocket of Fremantle, quintessentially Australian with its jacaranda canopy and run of premium bakeries and cafes. But as you near its mid-point, there’s a flicker of dissonance. Rattan chairs à la Maison Drucker greet you before you walk into a world of luxe colour, fluted glass and vintage Côte D’Azur posters that place you in French bistro territory. The order? Start with French 77, a champagne gin cocktail fragrant with elderflower and citrus, then perhaps a dozen petite oysters with tarragon mignonette, and the rich, dense canard parfait, its magenta surface scattered with macerated cherry rubies. In keeping with the neighbourhood feel, walk-ins are preferred. Trite though it may be, it’s hard to go past a rare bavette with its nest of gnarly frites, tart, glossy bearnaise and a salad of baby gems slicked with vinaigrette, embellished with nothing but chives. Finish on the terrace with a tipple of Rhône Valley muscat, and chunky amber tarte tatin with simple vanilla ice cream. The good life distilled, it’s Fremantle sunlight with the echo of Paris.
