Duck Fat

Newly landed in Newstead is a  French eatery that’s here to challenge everything you know about French food. Created by Simon Lambert and Behrooz Farahnakian, the duo behind Bardon’s La Belle Vie, Duck Fat is turning the classic French dining experience on its head, ditching the white tablecloths and instead making the cuisine more approchable, not just something you save for special occasions. 

It all starts with their avant garde interiors—taking over the space where Salt Meats Cheese used to reside in Haven Newstead, Duck Fat looks nothing like a traditional French bistro. Instead you’ll find a sleek, industrial-style venue adorned in French artworks that have been given a street art makeover, with lush cherry blossom trees overhead to soften the otherwise entirely black and polished concrete dining area. There's also a leafy outdoor courtyard perfect for enjoying a cocktail and a snack, with a cocktail list inspired by French desserts to sample—we hear the crème brûlée espresso martini is a must try. 

Head Chef Samuel Perrin spent years training under 3 Michelin Star chef Alain Ducasse—and the experience shows. There’s plenty of easily recognisable French dishes on the menu, but rogue additions include the French pizzas made on thin, crispy dough or puff pastry (think tarte flambe, only made in a wood-fired pizza oven), and the salad menu that goes well beyond the classic Niçoise.

Starting with the egg yolk topped tartare is a must, while the camembert baked in a wooden box with rosemary infused honey will appeal to all the cheese lovers out there. Adventurous sorts can sample authentic escargot—one of the few dishes that migrated over from the menu at La Belle Vie—while those pizzas we mentioned come with toppings like anchovies and caramelised onion or Dijon mustard, sliced tomato and Provençal pesto. 

As for mains, deciding between the rich beef cheek bourguignon, French-style ravioli stuffed with cheese and steak frites will be a tough ask, but must be done. Also stay tuned for a decadent signature burger creation that will be coming soon, featuring foie gras and duck breast on a charcoal bun.

Alongside your decadent feast you can sip on a handful of Apertifs, local craft beers (plus a French number thrown in for good measure) or something of the lengthy list of French wines. 

You might also like: 

• Brisbane's Best French Restaurants 
• Newstead's Best Restaurants 
• Fortitude Valley's best Restaurants 

Image credit: Supplied 

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