As if we needed another excuse to head to Ursula’s, chef Phil Wood is turning his Paddington restaurant into a fancy French bistro in honour of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

From July 23 to August 10, Wood and life/business partner Lis Davies are bringing the best of France for a chic extended event: Ursula’s Goes to Paris. The 18-day extravaganza will see the whole menu turn fully French and, in true bistro style, a prix fixe two ($65) or three-course ($80) menu for lunch during the week.

And while we’re sad that Wood won’t be one of the three elite baristas flying to the Games, we’re happy to settle for a Rockpool, Tetsuya’s, and Pt. Leo Estate alumni.

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Not content with just the prix fixe and French à la cart menus, a couple of one-off experiences will be available during the petite festival.

Elise Pioch, founder and creative director of Maison Balzac, will host ‘Lunch à la française’, a French lesson over lunch in our beautiful private dining room the Blue Room on Saturday 27 July. Guests will begin with a French martini served in Maison Balzac’s Le Twist Glass before enjoying a three-course lunch with matched wines, as Elise chats the art of conversing and French table culture.

On Monday, August 5, Wood will host a cooking class where guests can begin with a glass of Champagne and canapés as the chef demonstrates how to cook bouillabaisse, the perfect Paris mash, and a delicate French salad with vinaigrette. That should get your appetite going before a sit-down lunch to enjoy the dishes you’ve just learned over a glass of wine. Numbers are strictly limited to 12 people so get in fast.

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Over the three-week Ursula’s Goes to Paris event, a soundtrack of French classics will be on the airwaves, featuring contemporary pop music right through to classics like Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin. The playlist is cured by founder of So Frenchy So Chic Jean-François Ponthieux, so you know it will be properly authentic.

The a la carte menu couldn’t be more French, with starters like snail vol-au-vent and eggs mimosa (deviled eggs), duck à l’orange on the mains, and desserts ranging from crème brûlée to soufflé or a plate of French cheeses.

Ursula’s Goes to Paris will run from Tuesday, July 23 – Saturday, August 10.
À la carte menu is available for dinner from Tuesday – Friday and for lunch and dinner on Saturday. Prix fixe menu is offered at lunch from Tuesday to Friday.

To book your seat, head to the Ursula’s website.

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