While you wait for your annual leave to get approved, you can get a taste of old Paree at Scott Pickett’s new ristorante, Smith St Bistrot.

Inspired by the great bars and bistrots of Paris of the années folles, Smith Street Bistrot draws on Scott Pickett’s classical French training, with a menu inspired by his favourite dining experiences across Europe.

Pickett’s love affair with classic French cuisine began at age 18, working with legendary chef and restaurateur Philippe Mouchel, before honing his classical cooking skills in some of the most rigorous Michelin-starred kitchens in London, which included three years under the tutelage of Philip Howard at The Square.

“French food has always been a cuisine I enjoy, not only to cook but to eat in bistrots all around the world. It’s romantic food that can either be very simple or painstaking to master, but that’s the beauty of it. I think there’s always room to add a touch of my signature style and that’s what I’m doing with Smith St Bistrot,” says Pickett.

Bon vivants can swing by for a bougie lunch or dinner, with the bistrot offering haute cuisine like Southern Rock Lobster thermidor, vol au vents d’escargot and grilled whole flounder with sauce gribiche, alongside simple plats du jour like quiche lorraine, steak baguettes, croque madame, and all that jazz. For dessert? What else but crème caramel and sky-high raspberry souffle.

If you’re saving up for a ticket to Charles de Gaulle airport, Smith St Bistrot also has a rotating ‘menu du jour’ which will include a main course and a glass of wine for $40.

Group Beverage Director Clint Fox oversees the wine list, which traverses both Australian and European vins, with a focus on sustainable, organic and biodynamic drops. A concise cocktail list includes classic sippers with a modern twist.

Expect to see patrons sipping on French 125s, Rhum Boulevardiers, and Riviera Spritzs, as well as ‘The SSB’ – a bespoke house-cocktail that is dry, herbaceous and refreshing and served in an etched highball glass. Sorensen specifically designed The SSB to be an easy companion to every dish.

The former Lupo site has been reimagined by designer Sarah Townson of Anthology to reflect the classic 1920’s Parisienne bistrot. Expect elegant furnishings from burgundy leather and velvet banquettes to antique mirrors and bespoke brass chandeliers in gothic and art deco styles.

A central feature of the room is a restored spiral staircase, which leads to a new mezzanine area and private dining room, with views across the ground floor dining room.

Continuing up the staircase reveals a private event room, ‘La vie en Rose’, which is spacious enough to accommodate parties of up to 70 guests.

Smith St Bistrot
300 Smith Street, Collingwood
Thursday – Sunday from 11am until late
smithstbistrot.com.au

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