MELBOURNE | Bistro X is the restaurant of trendy Fitzroy hotel, StandardX. It, along with rooftop bar, ‘On Top’, aim to provide not just destinations worth eating and drinking at for guests of the hotel, but to provide options that stand on their own in a part of town that’s filled with quality hospitality options. I was recently invited in to stay the hotel, and experience the venues.
After switching up the hotel’s food and beverage offering with a pop-up led by Shannon Bennet, in the middle of last year, Bistro X gave the pop-up’s New Zealand-born chef, Ben John, the permanent head chef role in December last year. With experience cooking at the likes of Vue du Monde, Pure South, and London’s The Ledbury, Ben’s cooking is very much aligned to the seasonal, French-leaning, modern Australian theme of Bistro X.
Produce is of the highest quality, sourced from independent, mostly Victorian producers, that he’s built relationships with over the years. It’s technique driven food, simple at heart, that lets the produce shine. While the French influence is apparent throughout the menu, Ben’s cooking also draws upon Melbourne’s rich, multicultural tapestry, and incorporates native ingredients.
A rich, duck liver tartelette, with black apple and Comte, is a decedent way to kick off your meal. If you’d like to start with something lighter, there’s a refreshing melon skewer with Guindilla pepper, fennel pollen, and lime.
Moving from snacks to entrees, the beef tartare with egg yolk, and house made crisps, is an easy choice. I also highly recommend what was, for me, one of the standout dishes of the night – an octopus “ratatoullie” with fermented capsicum vinaigrette, and lime labneh. It’s the intersection of Southern France, and North Africa, with a Melbourne touch, on a plate.
For larger plates, it’s things like mussels with Gascony butter, and sourdough; market fish with brown butter, capers, lemon, and fennel; and Blackmore wagyu steaks. Try the ‘Denver’ cut, a wonderfully marbled piece of steak meat from the chuck, similar to bavette, not often seen in Australia.
The drinks menu features house and classic cocktails, local beers, and a diverse wine list featuring local and European drops. Bistro X also operates as StandardX’s breakfast dining spot. At that time, you’ll find quality versions of Melbourne brunch classics like smashed avocado on toast, chilli scrambled eggs, and a bacon and egg sandwich.
Bistro X
419 Fitzroy Street
Fitzroy
Victoria 3065
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9124 4814
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon: 7:00am to 11:00am
Tue – Thu: 7:00am to 11:00am, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Fri: 7:00am to 11:00am, 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Sat: 8:00am to 3:00pm, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am to 11:00am