Antoines Grill, Concord

EDIT: CLOSED

One thing that will get Noods to voluntarily suggest eating out? Steak tartare. He is absolutely fanatical about steak tartare which is how we found ourselves at Antoine’s Grill (112 Majors Bay Rd, Concord), a sexy looking French bistro in a suburb that I have not visited nearly enough. So did the Steak Tartare ($15) impress Noods? When I asked if he liked it all I got was: ‘heaps good’ and was grudgingly passed a toasted bread slice topped with fresh hand cut steak nubbins which yes, was heaps good and super morish.


The ‘Petite Terrine’ ($16) is a meatier and chunkier style of pork and chicken pate which isn’t my favourite compared to a super smooth parfait style however it is pretty damn tasty especially with the baguette and crunchy cabbage salad (and I totes chortled at the baby pickles naww).


A second visit and we try the House-made Lightly Smoked Salmon ($14.50). The curls of salmon are smooth and fatty and only just needs a teensy dab of crème fraîche to layer on toasted baguette slices.


An entree size of Crispy Pork Belly($18) is a sight to see, I mean look at it! It’s so purdy! Gorgeous tile of crispy crackling, fat ribboned porky flesh floating island style over an amazingly vibrant carrot puree which tastes like the lives of 100 pure carrot souls.


But the absolutely most deeeelicious thing ever? The 500 day grain fed 350g Signature Wagyu Rib Eye with a Marble score of 7+($48) oh baby oh baby that was one seriously sexy steak! The phrase ‘cooked to perfection’ doesn’t even come close to describing how freaking awesome that steak was! Tender, flavourful and bursting with meaty juices, it totally didn’t need any sauce to distract from it’s awesomeness.


Noods has opted for the cheaper 200 day grain fed Rib eye (Scotch fillet) 350g ($28) and while he enjoys his steak he suffers from food envy and it is now my turn to begrudgingly slice off steak pieces to share. We had also ordered a side of Mashed Potato ($6) and oh boy was it buttery and rich!


Visit number 1 we were too full to order any desserts so we were surprised when a deconstructed Lemon Meringue Tart was sent out to us on the house. Cheers Chef! Buttery shortbread pieces sit amongst dollops of slightly sour lemon curd with blobs of blow torched meringue and dabs of jam making this a light and refreshing dessert. Definitely a winner.


Visit number 2 and Noods has of course chosen the Vanilla Creme Brulee purely because he likes stabbing his way through a perfect sugary layer and into smooth vanilla bean flecked custard innards.


Unable to handle the thought of something super heavy I have chosen the Profiteroles ($12.50) which are stuffed full of sweet vanilla bean creme patissière and are placed delicately over a pool of rich chocolate sauce. Kaboom game over I’ve reached explodey point and we stumble away into the sunset promising to return for the glorious Wagyu steak.