La Grillade Restaurant

The restaurant is located in a posh Crows Nest house with fresh paint, a white picket fence, complete with a well-​maintained front garden.
I arrived at 6pm (the opening time) and waited 10 minutes outside in the cold along with the other guests. It felt as though we were waiting for a home inspection to start! I could hear the staff inside the restaurant going through a pep talk to motivate themselves for the night, at the expense of their guests getting cold.
The restaurant finally opened its doors and inside was a procession of around 10 staff lined up in a row awkwardly facing the guests, ready to direct the guests to their seats.
All the guests had Living Social vouchers which meant the same food was served to everyone. The food was pre-​made the food and the staff carried out dishes of the same entrees, mains and deserts to the guests, like a factory line. This turned an otherwise nice restaurant into a cheap experience.
On the positive, the décor was nice. There is a bar at the back of the house, and a French themed courtyard area that extends almost to the length of the house itself.

Amazing food, wonderful staff. Would definitely come back here again. We got a deal with Groupon for 50% off and it was totally worth it.

It’s been a while since we revisited this former old favourite. It’s had a bit of a makeover out front and, confirming our suspicions, has changed hands not too long ago. Clearly still popular, seemed to be quite a few punters coming and going.
I wish I had something better to say, but we had an all round disappointing night. And we really tried not to.
Our traditional start of a martini and a cosmopolitan didn’t go well– martini was not really cold enough, but tolerable, and the Cosmo had to go back to be remade.
The menu. Ah the menu… Printed on paper, it sadly reminded me of an old time bistro or maybe upmarket RSL. Especially the desserts, which we didn’t sample because frankly nothing appealed.
For entrees snails, goats cheese, fried calamari, scallops, pâté, prawns or gnocchi– I opted for the scallops, she opted out. By now we discovered the wine I ordered was sold out– no biggie but meh. The bread roll and baguette arrived with a tiny bowl of oil and balsamic — the bread was unwarmed, and something qantas would be proud of, but not any restaurant I know.
Far too quickly my entrée arrived, at the same time as an alleged amuse-​bouche, a small glass of what I think was a cauliflower soup. I say far too quickly for my entrée because it could not possibly have been cooked to order in the time available, and it’s tepid temperature led me to believe either there is a few precooked and ready to go or I got someone else’s– either way not great, and it was only ok at best flavour– wise.
For the main, well the range is good if you like steak, but a fish lover better like salmon or you are out of luck. Coq au vin, salmon, pork, duck or about five choices of steak to choose. And our perennial favourite, shoulder of lamb for two. Since she doesn’t like salmon and I have been in steak all week the lamb it was.
Our memories of a nice shoulder in the bone accompanied by a small pile of crisp roasties was dashed — although a large chunk of tender if slightly dry lamb arrived in an impressive metal griddle plate (inexplicably cold) no roasties to be found, and the side of steamed veggies was two heads of broccoli, some nice crunchy beans and a ton of badly sliced carrots.
Sigh. The lamb was not too bad, although the coating of whatever it was, nuts and stuff, on top was far too thick and gluggy.
So, all in all, very uninspiring for a return to a former favourite– I realise the competition in Crowie is tough, which I assume is why the former owners sold, but on this experience I would be hard pressed to go again.
Bummer.

I had dinner at this French Restaurant yesterday evening and am not disappointed with the service, deco, fine food, white CLOTH napkins etc.
They do allow BYO but the corkage is $ 15.00 for a bottle of wine.
This is definitely one of the better restaurants in Crows Nest and a French Restaurant without the «snobbish» service!
Will definitely dine here again.

I must say that the service here is superior. Plus the dishes are well done, the set menu has wide variety of choices; the atmosphere is cozy and accommodating. Will definitely come back again.

As a reward for being a fine, milky Mumma’s Boy for most of the year, mater took me out for a birthday dinner where I was even allowed to choose m’own meals. (She spoils me).
The word institution is bandied about far too often these days (Starbucks is not an institution, children), but La Grillade is fer damn sure an institution in these here parts. The food was rich and wonderfully done: chilli salt and pepper calamari and duck pâté with port wine jelly and salted crispbread to start, leading into amazing mains of pork belly with a veal wine reduction — a superb texture combination of white meat, salty fat, and chewy, caramelised crackling — and pan-​seared Atlantic salmon which was simply faultless.
Dessert was vanilla bean pannacotta with a berry coulis and pear stewed in wine with vanilla ice cream. There could have been more ice cream but really, with the amount of food we ate, any more would have been gluttonous. So I guess it was just right.
This was one of those meals had me wishing I’d worn elastic pants. And had one of those sticks with the two ceramic fingers on the end to purge gloriously, like a Roman emperor might.

Let me start by saying I’m a French food snob, having lived in Paris and eaten at many many top French restaurants around the world. La Grillades not one of them. Very attractive modern bistro like atmosphere. Menu reads really well and there is no mistaking its franco bias. However, the execution leaves much to be desired. We had a late seating at 8:30 and so the restaurant was not busy. Yet it was almost an hour before our entrees were served. Believe it or not they were out of baguette! Pâté for me which was good although the toast points were stale. My daughter had a chèvre en croute which as a bit of cheese on stale pieces of baguette toast. Not inspiring. Mains were much better especially the duck with sour cherries. We skipped dessert. I’ll probably go back but first time left a lot to be desired.

the restaurant setting is diverse and has a few different sections, a lovely semi outdoor section which has a relaxed feel to it and the interior part that has a darker and formal feel to it. The steak menu is classy but it’s lacking something to give it that special feel to it that makes you forget about the price. Service the night we were there was a little poor but we later found out that she was brand new. I’d give it a second chance.

Having read previous reviews we had great expectations which sadly were not met on the night. Three of our party of 5 had the Barramundi special and in 2 of the 3 dishes the fish was badly underdone. They did get it right the second time though. Breads had to be asked for and sauce for one diners steak was forgotten. Certainly not a good night for them as the staff seemed not to take the time to listen to the the customers
This resturant has much more potential than was exhibited to us.

Before stepping into La Grillade it was already on the back foot. During my reservation I’d specifically mentioned I wanted the 36hr Maryland lamb shoulder. They called the day of my reservation around 1pm to confirm with me that I’d still be making it but later called at 6pm saying unfortunately the lamb shoulder would not be available. Not happy Jan! On the bright side though at least I was still told before getting there.
Rescheduled for the following week and with some luck the lamb shoulder was in stock!
FOOD
Complimentary bread and a shot glass of soup coupled with pieces of soft blue cheese. I wish that shot glass had been a bowl of soup and blue cheese.
First entrée was the Grilled scallops served with fresh truffle ($ 26.50). Extra $ 10 for the few shaves of truffle but so worth it! The velouté sauce accompanying the scallops was phenomenal.
Second entrée was the Twice baked spanner crab soufflé ($ 17.50). Whilst the soufflé was soft and fluffy in terms of flavour it was definitely overshadowed by the scallops.
After the entrees the monster dish I’d been waiting for was served. The 36hr Marylands lamb shoulder to share ($ 69) is a must to try if you come to La Grillade. The lamb is so soft and tender it falls off the bone. This is quite a fatty part of the lamb which means its juicy and oh so flavoursome. There is so much meat my sweet tooth needs to have a rest and pass on dessert.
OVERALL
I loved everything about this place. The food, the setting, the fireplace which creates a warm intimate atmosphere. It made me forget about all my initial annoyances which is what all great restaurants do!

Fine dining a its best. I remember when this federation house was a privately owned restaurant, these days its part of the Trippas White Group.
However, the food has not gone downhill, it has actually risen to even greater heights. From the tasting plates, the absolutely delicious oyster (done in 8 different ways) to the French inspired main meals, it would be hard to pick a winner they are all so good.
At lunchtime it has a real business feel about it, at night it has a cosy ambience. Unfortunately it’s not cheap but I will say the food might be a little pricey but you do get good value. You won’t be able to fault it and the service is impeccable.