Bistro Boulevard

We’ve gone to Café Lyon a couple of times now. Yesterday was a nice evening, so we decided to book for dinner at 7pm. It was super busy so we could only get on the footpath, which turned out to be fine.
We ordered the special, pâté entry to share with champagne, two mains of venison and followed by a lemon tart and a medley of 3 little deserts, a chocolate mousse, lemon tart and crème brûlée.
The pâté was a little cold and too firm, on my pâté scale I’d give it ²⁄₅. I like my pâté more flavoursome and spreadable, this was not.
The venison was cooked on the rare side (the proper way to do it) and was great, lots of flavour and well presented, 4.5÷5.
My medley of desserts was terrific (⁵⁄₅). My wife’s lemon tart was ok but the filling was a little too runny and not quite tart enough, not by a huge amount, but should have been set a little more (3.5÷5).
Service was pretty good (⁴⁄₅) my only complaint was the coffee and the dessert did not arrive close enough together, we had finished dessert before the coffee arrived.
Café Lyon is a great place, the food is very good overall, it is very busy on the weekend though, lots of people and lots of noise, so don’t expect a quiet intimate dinner.
Price was on the expensive end, $ 160 for dinner, 1 glass of champs and 1 glass of red.
Overall, I’d give the review a 3.5÷5, maybe 3.75, I’t certainly above a 3 but perhaps less than a 4. I reserve 5 for the best of the best.
Post dinner we had a walk on the beach under the stars, which was magic (⁵⁄₅)!

The most delicious restaurant on the northern beaches or perhaps Sydney. We have eaten here time and time again with perfect meals every time. I love the soufflé or pâté for entrée and the duck for a main is delicate and melts in the mouth. My partner love the venison or the steak tartar.

This restaurant has been here forever. 42 years to be precise and it is busy in winter which speaks to its popularity with locals.
Simple unpretentious bistro fare. Like a thousand other bistros globally but no worse for it.
Simple, local and good.

I just went back 25 years with Keeno. She played a cassette (look it up Junior Unilocalers) in my Fiat 124 Sport featuring The Clash and Tim Buckley.
We went to this little French place in Avalon and had a beautiful meal that was absolutely straight out of the 70’s. And it was FANTASTIC.
The menu reads like a joke, snails, plat de jour, bouillabaisse every cliched old style french dish there is except frogs legs. There are only about 5 entrees and 5 mains, «plat principal» — … AND… each is a little masterpiece of authenticity and flavour and execution.
The last time I went here it was still in the Barefoot Boulevard in Avalon, 20+ years ago.
It has now been taken over by the old owner’s daughter and her French urzbon. Its got a new name — «Bistro Boulevard». They have pulled off the best refurb I have ever seen, nothing overdone but everything perfectly as it should be in an elegant french bistro. Its as neat as a pin and just lovely. At the risk of being scolded by Keeno I took an indoor photo or two — couldn’t resist.
And the food… mag knee feeek.
Being aware that my reviews sometimes might give passing reference to Keeno’s fondness for scallops, I took the precaution of taking a photo to confirm she succumbed again. She reckoned they were the plumpest most perfectly cooked scallops, but she always says that.
I had the pâté which was outrageously good and came with La Bannette bread from next door.
For mains Keeno had twice cooked goats cheese soufflé (they must have mucked it up the first time but they persevered and got it just right on the second go). I had the Venison «as the chef would have it». Now I know full well that there are no deers roaming around the bush in Avalon and that there was a chance it might not match the Post Hotel St Anton am Arlberg. BUT. (got a capital letter review going here) this was perfect!
The staff were brilliant, I asked for a Pinot and was recommended one from Vic and warned it may be a bit cloudy as it came from an organic vineyard. It was beautiful. They are all aware of the quirkiness of this place and embrace it. They have «been together for ages» and it shows.
This place is a little piece of «apeenis» (to be said with a fake french accent) in Avalon.

Le Boulevard in Avalon has exquisite French food and boasts even better service! Take your other half on a romantic date to this little slice of France, or simply scan the delectable menu for tasty delights. And before you ask– yes snails are on the menu! This place has been in operation for over 20 years and its survival emphasises its success.
The restaurant is a full house on the weekends, so ordering can take awhile. It can also take longer for the dishes to arrive– you may be waiting awhile! The food is a little overpriced but dining out in a French restaurant is always refreshing!
The menu is diversified and the setting intimate. It has a 70’s charm to it and has been in operation for quite a few years. Tables are a little too close to one another– you can clearly hear other restaurant goer’s conversations. Food is very rich– a reflection of the French taste and culture!