Margo Restaurant & Bar – A New Take On French Cuisine

I love everything French and some of my most memorable meals have been eaten in lovely and lively French bistros. So when talented chef Americo Fernandes invited She Society to sample some of  his modern French canapés, champagne and wine at the launch of his new Paddington restaurant – Margo it did not take long for me to reply, “Oui, merci!”.This intimate soirée saw invited guests mingling in the ambient red, gold and cream surrounds whilst being spoilt by an amazing selection of French food and flowing drinks. If this evening is anything to go by Margo is set to be a resounding success.

About the Restaurant

Margo occupies the Paddington site which was formerly home to Montrachet. Little of the décor has changed – think a fresh coat of paint plus new artwork and signage but your favourite French touches – the red banquette seating, impressive marble bar and gold accents still make you feel as if you’ve been transported to Paris for the night.

Executive Chef Americo Fernandes uses the freshest of ingredients to create the finest of French food with a modern twist. Although Americo is Portuguese he was raised in Paris , so the food is Americo’s take on traditional French food- expect  exciting combinations with a touch of Spanish and European influences. Americo sources the freshest and highest quality produce and Margo’s philosophy is to respect the fresh seasonal ingredients that pass through their kitchen to your table.

The Launch

Guests at the intimate launch were delighted to sample an array of  perfectly crafted canapés- beef tartare, salmon blinis topped with dill, delicious lamb croquettes with a dollop of sharp blue cheese, seared beef cheeks with a divine beetroot dipping sauce, creamy potato chippies with a zesty citrus sauce, barramundi croquettes and so much more. The professional and charming staff ensured our glasses were filled with samples from the expertly chosen wine list with wines from France, Australia, New Zealand and Italy on offer. Cheese, chocolate and almond biscotti rounded out the night. Many guests stayed on to sample the bouillabaisse which was the special of the evening. We were so impressed we immediately booked a table so we could come back for dinner.

Dinner at Margo

For dinner I chose the roast duck breast, beetroot, carrot, ginger and orange sauce. The meal was as pretty as a picture and flavours were perfectly balanced. My husband was very happy with his medium-rare Wagyu sirloin with pressed potatoes, bacon, cabbage, sage and red wine. For dessert I ordered the rosemary crème brûlée with almond biscotti. It was the best brûlée I’ve ever tasted. My husband’s gorgeous fennel millefeuille with basil and Granny Smith apple was gone in a flash and was a beautiful dish to behold.

We accompanied our meal with a bottle of light William Fevre Chablis. The meal was as good as any I’ve ever had in Paris and certainly surprised with some of the flavour combinations.

Margo is an excellent new addition to the Paddington dining precinct and is open for lunch from Tuesday to Friday and dinner from Monday to Saturday. Look out for the lunch and game night specials, the bouillabaisse night and the upcoming degustations. Margo is a welcome newcomer to the neighbourhood and I’m sure to become a regular at this warm and inviting bistro.