Bistro Guillaume, Crown Casino

Oh no!!  I took a double flip when I checked the website to Bistro Guillaume, only to get this message:
"We are currently relocating the restaurant to new premises within the Crown Entertainment complex and will re-open our doors in early 2011."

Huh?  I thought... we were only there recently and there were no signs that this Bistro was going to be closed until 2011.  Anyway, the story is that Bistro Guillaume will be opened in 2011 as a classic, Parisian-inspired French bistro complete with an outdoor sun terrace.  Neil Perry's Spice Temple will inhabit the spot where Bistro Guillaume used to be.  

I guess this explained a few things such as their Pastry chef, Phillipa Sibley moving to St Kilda and the fact that their wait staff was a bit "arrogant"... hmm... on this topic of the waiting staff being arrogant... am wondering if this is a French restaurant trait, as the staff at their Sydney restaurant exhibited the same behaviour too or... does their arrogance come about from the fact that they expect things to be perfectly cooked and served and therefore no longer bothers to ask if the meal was cooked well or asked for comments anymore...??

Anyway, well, at least we managed to visit Bistro Guillaume prior to their closing.  The restaurant was a bit "hidden" and we missed it initially and had to turn back.  The restaurant was located after Nobu restaurant but the sign was obscure.  Upon entering we saw this Frenchy style bistro but the consensus was that we were not too sure about the "tulip" liked lamp shades.

The menu was comprehensive... am not sure if it was fully French but seemed more Australian to me.  Anyway, it was very tasty to say the least.  Our entrees gave us a glimpse into what we could expect ... the scallops were cooked just right... while the kingfish sashimi was delectable.

For mains, Cindy said her pork belly main course was delicious and the combination of flavours was great.  The rest of us ordered the the beef which melted in your mouth but unfortunately, the chips were not cooked well enough i.e. a bit soggy but alas... the staff... were not open to any comments.

For desserts, the Panna Cotta and the chocolate desserts were to die for... a bit heavy for me after our two courses but we finished it off nevertheless.

Thankfully the walk back from Crown Casino to the hotel helped with my digestion and my guilt of indulgence ...sigh!

Well... we'll have to see if the "inverted tulip" lampshades are used in their new Bistro next year...