Benoit Lasplace wants his French bistro on Nicholson Road to be a neighbourhood affair, but Shenton Park locals are going to have to compete with the restaurant’s loyal Perth Hills patrons if they want a place at the table.
Opening in its new location on May 3, Mistelle may have left its picturesque place among the vines at Hainault Vineyard, but the chef assures Broadsheet that the dishes – inspired by his upbringing in the south-west of France – retain their countryside charm and flavour. And he says we can expect some new additions, too.
“Our aim is to be a solid neighbourhood joint – not a special-occasion restaurant, but somewhere people can return each week for an elevated experience without breaking the bank,” Lasplace tells Broadsheet. “We’ll be keeping staple mains like confit duck leg and desserts like crème brûlée, but we’ll also be offering a bar menu for people wanting to drop in, soak up the atmosphere and sample some charcuterie with a cool new selection of wines.”
Mistelle will initially seat up to 46 diners, with plans for additional al fresco dining at the start of summer. Plus, the cosy corner bistro will feature some theatrical tableside service, with waitstaff “carving rib eye off the bone, and preparing crepes suzette or steak tartare at the table”, says Lasplace.
Having cut his teeth in fine dining establishments in Canada and the UK – including the Michelin-starred L’Ortolen in Reading – in 2011 Lasplace opened for Neil Perry at Rockpool Perth as the restaurant’s first sommelier. He later moved on to Print Hall Dining Room, and eventually turned to his own culinary pursuits alongside his wife, Chantelle Lasplace.
With Chantelle looking after the back of house Lasplace has updated Mistelle’s food offering – which includes a lunch and dinner à la carte menu, a set menu for groups, plus the bistro’s ever-popular Tuesday Test Kitchen menu.
“The Test Kitchen concept will run the same way it did in Bickley, where people book not knowing what they’re going to get,” says Lasplace. Built around seasonal produce, the Tuesday night menu is decided by the kitchen team that morning, but it always involves three shared starters, one shared main and individual dessert – all for $55 a head. “It’s great because it gives us a chance to get creative in the kitchen, and our guests also get to try new things – pairing wines they wouldn’t usually choose with food they wouldn’t necessarily try themselves.”
For those who aren’t keen on surprises, Mistelle’s à la carte options include two courses for $60 or three courses for $75. The autumn menu features Abrolhos Island octopus and handmade charcuterie (ham-hock terrine, chicken parfait, pastrami and pickles) for starters; Rottnest swordfish with heirloom pumpkin, and pan-seared gnocchi with shimeji mushrooms for mains; and bombe alaska, crème brûlée and canelés with poached pear for dessert.
Expect a tight wine list with fun, fresh Australian numbers and some classic French varietals.
Mistelle Bistro
Shop 1, 205 Nicholson Road, Shenton Park
Hours:
Tues & Wed 5.30pm–late Thurs & Fri 12pm–late
Sat 5.30pm–late
mistelle.com.au
@mistellebistro
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