Didier, Sheung Wan - 18.12.10

I had read nothing but positive reviews about this little French bistro, so I was really excited to introduce my ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ group to this new find of mine.  The restaurant itself is tucked away down the steps that link Hollywood Road and Gough Street.  It is a very cute and welcoming little spot, with a warm interior decorated in traditional Provençal colours and paintings on the walls.  There are also two patios off either side of the restaurant with wooden tables and big red umbrellas to shade diners from the sun.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the friendly staff and shown to our table out on the patio, which I have to say was really lovely and quiet (so rare in this city).  The à la carte menu was very enticing, with a fabulous range of southern French dishes to choose from.  The prices however, were not.  Two of us went for the set lunch, ordering a Mixed Salad (the other option was a Beef Terrine), followed by a Seafood Risotto.  Our other two friends both ordered Seared Goats Cheese Salads from the à la carte menu.  We all enjoyed our food immensely; the Mixed Salads were chunky and crispy with a delicious homemade French dressing.  The Goats Cheese Salad was definitely on the small size for $108, but beautifully presented and faultless in taste.  The Seafood Risotto was also presented really well, each one in a different shaped and coloured Le Creuset dish.  The dish was intense and rich in flavour, with a generous amount of seafood.  In my opinion the chef went a tad overboard with the garlic, and the others thought it was a little ‘fishy’.  Overall we were very impressed however considering the price of the three course set lunch was only $108. 

For dessert, we had the Pancakes from the set menu which were very average.  We also ordered the Lavender Crème Brulée from the à la carte menu which was ok but nothing to write home about.

Overall, the quality of food was very good, and the set lunch menu exceptional value for money.  There was quite a significant downfall to Didier however, and this was the appalling service.  It went hideously wrong from the beginning, starting with the waitress taking our order who had no knowledge of the menu at all and had to check with the chef what vegetables were served with the Pork Neck (one of the set menu options).  Nor could she accurately take down our food orders, and had to ask us three times to explain again what we wanted.  The staff then proceeded to serve the a la carte mains with the set menu starters, after we specifically stated that the Goats Cheese Salads should be served as main courses with the Risottos.  We had to ask for napkins, and we also had to ask for our plates to be cleared away after every course.  We ended up losing our patience completely and had we been in a rush, we would have given up on the prospect of dessert for sure.  I hope that Didier sorts out its service issue as I would like to return one day – perhaps wearing a wig and big glasses for fear that they will recognise me as one of the fearsome foursome!

Didier

3 Mee Lun Street (off Hollywood Road)

Sheung Wan

T: 2217 3389