The French Bistro Martinborough **

November 1, 2009 by
Filed under: Life in New Zealand, Things to do 

Martinborough: home of the day long vineyard crawl Toast Martinborough, Martinborough Fair and tumbleweeds. A great place to go if you want peace and quiet – and wine. Because there ain’t much else.

So we spent a really lovely evening there staying at the Martinborough Hotel (highly recommended), but decided to go for dinner to The French Bistro.

That was our first mistake.

The second error was not turning round when we discovered that the name had changed to “Wendy Campbell’s The French Bistro”. I’ve been wanting to go there for years – but never got round to it. Then in 2007 the Bistro won an award – Best Restaurant – from Cuisine Magazine. At that point – it became known that the bistro was owned by John Campbell’s mum. John Campbell, for those who don’t live here yet is the presenter of a TV current affairs program: Campbell live. I guess it’s a marketing buzz to trade on the name rather than the food.

Well we went in anyway and asked to see the menu. And thus we come to our third mistake – not walking out at this point. For some reason I cannot fathom, the menu was a photocopy of a handwritten sheet, with crabbed writing we had to squint to read – and even then we had to ask for help in deciphering it. I’m not suggesting that all menus being computer designed – but it does help if the diners can actually see what they are about to eat. It was even hard to see the prices – but you are looking at about $36 – $40 for a main – which is about the price for Boulcott St Bistro – where you can actually read the menu.

I really wish I had taken a photo to show how bad it was.

We stuck at it, and Hubby order “Duck a l’orange” (we think) and I ordered the lamb in a Mint Jus.

What we were presented with was identical bowls of brown meat in brown “gravy” with vegetables. Call me thick but shouldn’t orange sauce look a little distinct from watery gravy? And I swear I could have counted the flecks of mint in the “mint jus” which was more the consistency of stock, and tasted like it too.

In fact – in the whole meal – the only thing that was nice was the meat – which was really nice. But hubby could do that on our barbie at home – for considerably less than $40.

I was so disappointed. All that time waiting for a chance to go – and the meal was crap. And I had given the restaurant at the Martinborough Hotel a miss in order to go there – and I know the food there is stunning.

So while I recommend a night in Martinborough anyday – skip The French Bistro. I’ve also heard that Est Wine Bar is brilliant for food –so there is some choice without having to settle for brown gloop.

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Related posts:

  1. The Martinborough Fair.
  2. Wellington Eats – Boulcott St Bistro *****
  3. Toast Martinborough 2009 – the aftermath.
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Comments

4 Comments on The French Bistro Martinborough **

  1. Moon over Martinborough on Fri, 6th Nov 2009 5:55 am

    2. Wow. I’m amazed! I’ve had such great meals there, and never a bad one. Yes, very pricey. But always delicious. Perhaps it was just an ‘off’ night for Wendy? So sorry to hear it didn’t live up to your expectations!

  2. Avalon on Fri, 6th Nov 2009 10:41 pm

    3. Hmmm, im not sure if that makes me feel better that the place gets a thumbs up from a real person rather than a magazine – ro if it depresses me more that we hit it on such a bad day :)

    Unfortuantley – its a case of I really wouldnt want to go back and risk another shot :(

    I really wish I could have been more positive about the experience.

  3. Fran on Tue, 22nd Nov 2011 10:05 am

    4. yup Andy and I have been there twice and on both occasions vowed we wouldn’t go back. Last time we were treating some friends who had requested that we went there. I understand the menu is hand written on the day based on what’s available. I agre there are plenty of other places to go at the same price mark that offer a better experience all round . We went to Est for Andy’s pre 50th birthday dinner and had a glorious meal…… but that was some time ago!

  4. Avalon on Tue, 22nd Nov 2011 10:39 am

    5. I noticed at the weekend that Est had changed! Which is annoying as I never got around to going there. Havent heard anything about the new place.

    Still – at least it isnt just me with the French Bistro :)

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