La Buvette

Overview

Say bonjour to La Buvette, the latest opening from The Goodies Hospitality, bringing a little slice of Paris to Potts Point. It's the kind of neighbourhood spot you'd brag about to your mates, with classic French dishes, a strong focus on French wines, and considered hospitality. 

The Goodies Hospitality group are no stranger to the Sydney dining scene, with its portfolio now spanning Bar Copains, Bessies's, Alma's, Vin-Cenzo's and La Buvette. Founded by friends Sali and Nathan Sasi and Morgan McGlone, the hospo group maintain a simple philosophy — that seems to be doing the trick — of good food, good wine, good people and good times. 

"The best wine bars in Paris have a sense of ease about them — they're places you drop into for a glass, end up ordering dinner, and somehow the whole evening disappears. That's the feeling we wanted to bring to La Buvette. It's a neighbourhood wine bar first and foremost, with classic French cooking, a great wine list, and warm hospitality. We feel incredibly lucky to be writing the next chapter for this much-loved corner of Potts Point," says chef and co-owner Nathan Sasi. 

The menu was created after a recent research trip to Paris, where Nathan and Morgan noticed many classically French dishes presented with a modern, playful edge. La Buvette's opening menu highlights span oysters with champagne granita, tuna and goat's curd tarts, duck neck and pork sausage, an apple pie with French vanilla bean ice cream, and a charred yuzu and finger lime macaron. 

Ishan Kaplish, the group's sommelier, has curated a drinks program of 23 wines by the glass, an extensive champagne collection, and a list showcasing French wine and French varietals from Australia and globally, with a particular focus on chardonnay and pinot noir. French-inspired cocktails such as the Buvette Martini with gin, dry vermouth, cornichon and brine, and the French Maid with cognac, Falernum, cucumber, mint lime and ginger beer round out the drinks offering. 

It's a first-come, best-dressed situation at La Buvette, with only nine bookable seats inside, and 30 walk-in seats outside up for grabs. And with cosy interiors by Studio Gram — think brass, aged timber, mosaic tiles, a warm palette of mustard, amber and caramel tones, and worn upholstery — once you've secured a seat, we'll bet you'll be hard-pressed to give it up. 

Images: Andrea Veltom. 

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