What Women Want

If you ask a woman what she wants most in life, she would probably tell you that it is to have her own starring role in a fairy-tale romance complete with the knight-in-shining-armour and galloping white steed. Let’s face it, the days of the knights of the round table are long gone. These days the knight is more likely to be a beautiful, adoring man and the steed, a hot rod that makes some serious noise.

Nothing conjures up images of fairy-tale romance like castles, cobbled stone streets and horse-drawn carriages. By far the most romantic city I have ever been to in my young life so far is Québec City in Canada. Winter, spring, summer or fall the city is one of those rare, magical places that leaves you awe struck. It is home to Le Château Frontenac, a spectacular castle-hotel which has been consistently rated as one of the most romantic places to get married in Canada. Québec City is also renowned for its food. One of my favourite restaurants is a Parisian-style Bistro called Le Café du Monde. It is situated in a retro-looking, converted ferry terminal overlooking the St Lawrence River. The menu features classic French preparations of pâtés, duck confit, onion soup, smoked salmon tartare, and mussels or steak with frites served with a classic béarnaise sauce. I adore salmon tartare. It is one of those gifts to the palate – moist and succulent is fills the mouth with a surprising softness and is an authentic French-Canadian staple.

Parisian bistros are typically charming, intensely romantic dining experiences, very á la Moulin Rouge. The mood created at Le Café du Monde is reminiscent of la Belle Époque (1920’s beautiful era) with art deco style décor complete with red leather banquettes contrasted against white and black ceramic tiles in a checkerboard pattern. The wait staff add to the swanky vibe by donning black vests, immaculate white aprons and bowties.

Nestled at the foothills of posh Mount Street is one of Perth’s best kept secrets - our very own homage to Parisian-bistro chic in Restaurant Bouchard. I discovered Bouchard by accident one morning as I was running up Mount Street and stopped to tie up my shoe-lace. This sexed up gem reeks of cool and teases with its seductive interior. The food at Bouchard is bawdy and unapologetic. I went for lunch last week-end on a spectacular spring day with a sexy friend of mine. For starters we shared braised pig's head with black pudding and apple noisettes. Beautifully plated, the dish was sublime and gorgeous. Our pig’s head which looked like a golden croquette, was crowned by a spider web-shaped french fry giving it a modern twist and crunchy edge. For mains we had the Salmon Niçoise – a humble classic made spectacular by its presentation and mélange of fresh local beans, diced potatoes, baby tomatoes, white anchovies and olive tapenade accompanied by a crispy -skinned Atlantic salmon fillet cooked to pastel pink perfection. For dessert I was tempted by the crème brulée with peanut butter ice-cream, not exactly a classic French treat but a cheeky combination of flavours that work great together which made me smile.

Food at Bouchard is reasonably priced and the wine list extensive. Service was superb and we were treated to a crisp, Margaret River sauvignon blanc and home-made truffles by our delightful server. At Bouchard, you can’t help but feel as if you are in your own perfect, romantic hide-away without having to leave town. Bouchard delivers a dreamy dining experience day or night. If you are looking for a truly, love-struck evening go eat on their patio under the stars and try their fabulous dégustation menu- you may just leave starry-eyed.

Passion Rating ★★★★★
Food:★★★★★
Service:★★★★★
Ambiance:★★★★☆
Overall:★★★★☆


When you next go to Canada, try out some of my favourite Parisian-style bistros in Toronto at Le Sélect Bistro in Wellington St and in Ottawa at the Métropolitain Brasserie in the Byward Market. Bistro Le Continental in Montréal is also at the top of my list.

If you have never tried it, Parisian-bistro style cuisine is great to prepare for a romantic night in with your beloved. Here are two of my favourite classic Bistro recipes – Bon Appétit!

Confit de Canard (Duck Confit)

8 duck thighs (8)
150 g sea salt (1/3 lb)
8 bay leaves (8)
1 large pinch whole thyme (1)
2 L melted duck fat (8 ¼ cups)

The day before serving:

- Place the duck thighs in a shallow dish. Mix sea salt and thyme, then sprinkle over thighs, making sure they are well coated. Arrange bay leaves over thighs.

- Refrigerate for 24 hours.

The day of serving:

- Heat duck fat. Wipe thighs to remove excess spices. Discard bay leaves.

- Place thighs in very hot fat.

- Once the thighs have reached a golden colour, reduce heat and continue cooking for about 1 hour, or until thighs are tender.

- Let thighs cool in fat.

When serving:

- Heat the thighs in the fat and serve with diced potatoes fried in garlic.

Tartare de Saumon (Salmon Tartar)

240 g fresh salmon (½ lb)
240 g smoked salmon (½ lb)
4 egg yolks (4)
30 ml chopped onions (2 tbsp)
30 ml chopped capers (2 tbsp)
8 drops Worcestershire sauce (8)
4 drops Tabasco sauce (4)
juice of 1 lemon or lime

- Chop the fresh and smoked salmon by hand or in a food processor. Do not chop too thinly.

- Mix the fresh and smoked salmon, egg yolks, onions, capers, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and lemon or lime juice.

- Adjust seasonings before serving this delicious dish!