A Parisian bistro inspired neighbourhood wine bar, open for breakfast–dinner, with a soundscape of French house, jazz, disco and hip hop.
Afternoon sundowners are a huge hit on Geroge Street as the sun sets behind all the heritage houses, and the street takes on the hues of the sunset. Carafes of wines, house made charcuterie and blue swimmer crab vol au vents keep the crowds busy before the venue opens the restaurant for dinner service.
La Lune keeps some interesting things off the list that they open for oenophiles – and themselves – which can make it to wine by the glass on weekends.
After years spent living in London, New York and Paris, La Lune sommelier/founder Sam Davies and his wife/business partner Helen Pow have been seduced by the timeless and universal appeal of le bistrot style as an ideal restaurant platform. They have now brought this ideal to life in La Lune, complete with black-and-white striped awnings and classic bentwood chairs.
“We focus predominantly on classic French bistro wines and Australian-grown French varietals that are a little bit left-of-field,” says Sam. “We have many organic or biodynamic wines but also wines made in a more classic method. And we have an ever-changing carafe list for lovers of the funky stuff.”
Working with consultant James Whineray (Wise Child Wine Store) to create La Lune’s initial one-page wine list, Sam now changes the selections frequently. “The La Lune list will only ever be one page, with our a la carte food menu on the reverse side,” Sam explains. “Our list can change seasonally – which means weekly or daily, if we’re feeling up to it. We want our wine program to be fun and interactive. We want our relationships with vignerons and suppliers to be prominent, and to highlight what is drinking well at the time.”
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this casual bistro with a fine dining edge boasts classic French dishes throughout the menu, from eggs benedict and French omelettes in the mornings, to house-made terrine, foie gras parfait, niçoise salad, duck breast on lentils and steak frites served from afternoons to the evening.
Attention to detail includes setting the right mood through music, curated by local DJ Josh Grainger. “It’s fun, relaxed, loud, retro. French house, jazz, disco, hip hop is on high rotation each day at La Lune.”
All this keeps the neighbourhood crowd happy. “It’s not uncommon to see some of our local customers two or three times a day. Afternoon sundowners are a huge hit on George Street, as heritage houses along the street take on the sunset hues. Carafes of wines, house made charcuterie and blue swimmer crab vol au vents are the popular choices before we open the restaurant for dinner service.”
Currently an 88-seater, featuring bar seating, casual bistro dining, a more formal dining room and terrace style alfresco seating, La Luna will be expanding next year with a private dining room for up to 16 people.
“La Lune doesn’t reinvent the wheel,” explains Sam. “It merely polishes it to a distinctive Fremantle sheen with Western Australian produce in the kitchen, local artisans represented at every level, wines with a French accent, and a warm, open style of Australian hospitality informed by years of experience from our time spent abroad.”
A smart restaurant, cutting-edge wine bar, creative cocktail lounge, and all in a stunning heritage building with super-chilled service and vibe? Count us in.
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