Mandoline

Elsternwick's beloved French bistro-café. genuine Parisian chef, rotating soups, and remarkable chai.

A cosy, intimate neighbourhood café with a genuine French personality. chalkboards, a rear courtyard with a fish pond, papers left out for reading, and a warm welcome that regulars describe as a home away from home. Owner Thierry, a French chef from Paris, creates an unhurried, European atmosphere where you can linger over coffee or settle in for a three-course dinner.

Genuine French chef from Paris (owner Thierry) running all aspects of the kitchen; homemade biscuits served with every coffee as a house signature; daily rotating soups with inventive combinations; 2-3 course dinner menus at highly competitive prices; private dining buyout available for special events; rear courtyard with chalk boards for children; dog-friendly outdoor seating.

Highly authentic. owner Thierry is a trained French chef from Paris. Classic dishes including French onion soup, coq au vin, calamari risotto, lambs brains, and gnocchi are executed with evident classical training. French-speaking reviewers specifically validate the authenticity.

Widely described as excellent value. a French bistro dinner at prices that feel pre-pandemic is a recurring theme. The 2-course lunch with wine at $42 earns repeated praise. One reviewer describes it as having the quality of a French restaurant without the 'French restaurant added tax.'

Summary drafted with AI from public reviews.