Where to celebrate Mother’s Day 2023 with a taste of France in Australia

Reading Time: 11 minutes

Mother’s Day 2023 is just over two weeks away and if you’ve not already made plans to celebrate Mum, we have a list of French food options for you, whether it be in restaurant dining, hampers or something sweet.

ADELAIDE
BRISBANE
GOLD COAST
MELBOURNE
PERTH
SUNSHINE COAST
SYDNEY

MOTHER’S DAY IN ADELAIDE

 

Apoteca will be open for Mother’s Day dinner. Enjoy a 5 Course Chef’s Tasting Menu (Shared Format) for $85 per person:

Zucchini, pea & fennel salad, celeriac remoulade

Grilled king prawns, salsa verde

Lamb loin, eggplant, pomegranate

Grass-fed scotch, carrot, Café de Paris

Hazelnut baklava, pistachio ginger crumb, double cream

Reserve your table via this link.

 

Bistro Français is open for lunch and dinner on Mother’s Day.

Give Mother’s Day a French twist by treating her to a delicious feast just for the two of you and hear those three word every child yearns to hear “You’re my favourite”.

Mother's Day 2023 Bistro Français

The ability to flex and gloat to your siblings for $89 per person. Seatings available from 11-2 for lunch or 5-9 for dinner and last two hours a seating.

 

Garçon Bleu is doing a special Mother’s Day Buffet de brunch from 12:30 to 2:30pm.

Garçon Bleu will host a magnifique brunch featuring an array of patisseries, charcuterie and fromage, house-made specialties and freshly-made crêpes, plus bottomless cocktails, cold-pressed juices and tea and coffee.

Enjoy live acoustic entertainment from a local artist plus all mothers will receive a special gift to take home.

$119 per person

Make your booking via this link.

 

Maison Clement is hosting a Mother’s Day high tea from midday to 2 pm for $79 per person.

fête des mères 2023

Bookings are essential and can be made via their website

 

Sucre Patisserie has a special creation for Mother’s Day: a Mother’s Day Heart Cake $48

Spoil Mum with this beautiful heart shaped dessert! 3 layers of vanilla bean sable, with 2 layers of vanilla bean buttercream and mixed berry jam, dusted with icing sugar, decorated with macarons, meringues, strawberries and violas.

Sucre Patisserie - Mother's Day 2023For collection only on Saturday 13 May

 

MOTHER’S DAY IN BRISBANE

C’est Bon has put together a Mother’s Day Hamper $125pp
Orders can be made through their reservations tab on their website, or email, or over the phone.

La fête des mères 2023

 

Novotel South Bank doesn’t have any Mother’s Day specific offers. However, they do have their breakfast open for walk-ins on that day for $39 per adult.

Novotel South Bank Mother's Day 2023

Guests can enjoy unlimited barista coffee, teas, juices, smoothie station, omelette station and wide variety of hot and cold selections.

 

MOTHER’S DAY ON THE GOLD COAST

Sofitel Broadbeach

Show the love your Mum deserves & treat her like the Queen she is with a decadent Sofitel High Tea, the French way.

Dazzle your Mum with a sip of crisp Champagne and adding to the relaxed atmosphere, their Executive French Pastry Chef Joel Helot has curated a display of French delights promising to add that je ne sais quoi to your morning.

For $89 per person, enjoy:

  • An assortment of savoury items
  • Selected sweets made by French Pastry Chef Joel Helot
  • Glass of Champagne on arrival
  • Tea & Coffee

Available both Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th May 2023.

Bookings can be made via this link or by phoning Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach:  +61 (0)7 5592 2250 or email [email protected]

 

MOTHER’S DAY IN MELBOURNE

 

Bon Ap’ will be serving its usual dinner menu all day from 11.30am. There will also be a few specials too and plenty of champagne available.

 

Bookings are recommended and can be made via this link but walk-in are always welcome.

 

Deux Soeurs, BEST WESTERN PLUS Buckingham International has a special Mother’s day lunch menu.

Call them on 9555 0011 to make your reservation.

 

Entrecôte is hosting a special four course Mother’s Day luncheon, expertly crafted to celebrate her in a stylish manner for $149.90 per person ($59.90 kids menu available)

Fête des mères 2023

Reserve your table for their Mother’s Day luncheon to express ‘je t’aime’ and create lasting memories. You can do so via this link.

 

Frédéric is offering a special set four course lunch menu, carefully curated with Mother’s in mind, which include a choice of three entrees, mains and desserts.

There are two sittings available to reserve: 12pm, and 2.15pm To make a booking, please go to their website or email [email protected] for any enquiries.

 

Frenchilicious Kitchen will offer  their popular Mother’s Day gourmet menu again including some of their favourite dishes.

 

The menu includes Entrée, Main, Side and a choice of desserts. No preparation required , everything comes ready to eat or reheat with simple instructions.

Menu for 2 is $89 and menu for 4 is $170

Pre-order before Tuesday May 9th for pick up/delivery on Saturday May 13th (unless sold out prior). Order via this link.

 

 

 

Rêverie Café has a special gateau designed by their head pastry chef Stephanie. It’s special because she is pregnant for the first time and made it with the flavours that she loves:  Earl grey mousse with lemon curd, plain & chocolate crunch base!

They are also open for their very popular high tea for Mother’s day.

You can pre-order your cake or reserve your table online or send enquiries directly to Pierrick at [email protected]

 

Roule Galette will offer a small gift from France to all the mothers coming in on Mother’s Day. We don’t know what it is as it’s a surprise.

You can book for Roule Galette in Carnegie at 03 9563 1569

Roule Galette in the CBD does not take bookings but mothers will receive the gift.

 

Tartine has a special Mother’s Day menu which is priced at $89 per person.

Bookings via their website.

MOTHER’S DAY IN PERTH

 

C Restaurant in the sky will offer a three-set lunch menu for $125 per adult and $55 per child, which includes a main dish, a dessert, and a drink.

La fêter des mères 2023/ Mother's Day 2023

To secure your booking, an upfront payment is required, and reservations can be made by calling their reservations team at 0892208333 or visiting  their website.

 

French Sweet has two offers for Mother’s Day 2023.

  • Mother’s Day 2023 macaron box for $50
  • Mother’s Day 2023 brunch box for $79

La fête des mères 2023/ Mother's Day 2023

They can be ordered online, and can be picked up at any of their Perth locations, or delivered on the 13 May and 14 May 2023.

 

Novotel Perth Langley is offering a glass of prosecco when you dine for buffet breakfast at Novotel Perth Langley Sen5es Restaurant on Mother’s Day 2023, Sunday 14 May.

The Buffet breakfast costs $32 per person

Make your booking online  via this link

For more information, please visit the offer on their official website: https://www.novotelperthlangley.com.au/special-offers/Mothers-day

 

W.H.I.P. Pâtisserie is celebrating Mother’s Day 2023 with their latest food innovation: limited release of fully plant-based Choux!

These are available in unique flavours combinations with native Australian edible plants.

This year, discover the following creations:

  • Native Davidson Plum Chantilly & Strawberry Cream
  • Native Geraldton Wax & Meringue
  • Native Strawberry Gum Cream & Blackcurrant Chantilly

La fête des mères 2023/ Mother's Day 2023

These choux come as a set of 6, with 2 of each flavour. Medium finger food size.

The box is $35 and can be ordered straight from their website or from the shop

NOTE: Pre-orders are essential for Inglewood shop collection from Wednesday 10 May 2023 until Mother’s Day.

 

MOTHER’S DAY ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

Flo’s Crêperie in Noosa and Mooloolaba offers Mother’s Day specials like the Macarons in Paris (with berries, raspberry coulis, pistachio crunch, pistachio ice cream & raspberry-pistachio macarons).

They will also have a special Mother’s Day Cocktail: the Lady Rose with Noosa gin, lime, strawberry coulis and pineapple juice.

Mother’s Day always books out, so it’s best to visit their website to book a table.

 

MOTHER’S DAY IN SYDNEY

Beckett’s love the concept of giving and will be offering mums a gift from Beckett’s: a choice of either a glass of sparkling OR a dessert, when your group books a three-course dinner at Beckett’s.

They will be open from 5pm on Mother’s Day for cocktails, wine and dinner.

Make your reservation via this link.

 

Busy on Mother’s Day?

Gift her the ultimate dining card – a Beckett’s gift card – to enjoy dinner with them at another time.

See their gift links here:

https://www.beckettsbardining.com.au/house-gifts

https://www.beckettsbardining.com.au/becketts-house-purchase

 

Bistro Moncur is offering three courses from their à la carte menu curated by Head Chef, Tom Deadman for $140 per person for lunch.

To complete your experience, there will be plenty of Bollinger and food specials throughout the day.

Bistro Moncur will also be open for dinner as usual from 5.30pm.

Book your table for Mother’s Day 2023 lunch via this link

 

Bitton Gourmet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with set menus for each.

Make your booking via this link

 

Brasserie L’Entrecôte is offering a 3 course set lunch menu for $115 for Mother’s Day 2023.

Mother's Day 2023

Reserve your table via this link

 

Claire’s Kitchen proposes a 3 course lunch for Mother’s Day 2023 for $100 per person.

There will also be lucky door prizes.

Reserve your place at the lunch by purchasing your ticket via this link.

 

 

Flo Viennoiserie proposes two products for Mother’s Day 2023:

  • a cake for the occasion: vanilla mousse, strawberry coulis and a strawberry/raspberry cream, with some lychees.
  • a box composed of mini tarts and decorated mini choux décorée for Mother’s Day.

 

Both cost $55 each. Orders are required and can be made online.

 

Four Frogs Crêperie has partnered with Bonne Maman to treat all their hardworking, strong and beautiful Mums to a special gift and a Bonne Maman special.

La fête des mères 2023/ Mother's Day 2023

Make sure to book ahead to secure your spot for Sunday, May 14 and treat Mum to something sweet at your local Crêperie.

Bookings can be made via this link.

  

Garcon proposes a 4 course lunch menu for $59 per person and a 5 course dinner menu for $79  per person.

La fête des mères 2023/ Mother's Day 2023

Reservations can be made via this link.

 

Gavroche has a special 3 Course Menu with a glass of bubbles on arrival for Mother’s Day 2023 for $108 per person.

La fête des mères 2023/ Mother's Day 2023

Bookings via this link.

La fête des mères 2023/ Mother's Day 2023 

 

Le Coq Rotisserie has three options to choose from for Mother’s Day 2023:

 

Loulou Bistro is offering all Mums a complimentary Loulou cocktail made with Beefeater Gin, rosé, La Saison Vermouth, hibiscus & finished with a rose petal to start their meal.

Guests will then get to enjoy their à la carte menu designed by Head Chef Ned Parker. Enjoy Loulou classics such as the John Dory farçi with sauce Champagne or the Côte de bœuf with sauce bordelaise. To finish, they suggest you try the Mont blanc with Pedro Ximénez & raisin.

 

Secure your table via this link or contact their reservations team on 8000 7800.

 

Loulou Boulangerie has prepared Mother’s Day Hampers so you can let Mum sleep in while you whip up some homemade pancakes in the kitchen or sit back with a glass of Champagne while you cook a Loulou lunch from the comfort of your own home.

They have breakfast hampers with both savoury and sweet toppings available and lunch hampers, which include your Loulou Traiteur favourites & a whole Snapper en Papillote served alongside roast vegetables & riz pilaf.

 

They also have a Charlotte cake available made with finger biscuit, strawberry mousse & bergamot curd.

Pre-orders are highly recommended as there are a limited number of each item available. They can be made via their online store.

 

Rustic French Bistro is open for breakfast and lunch on Mother’s Day 2023 and is offering set menus for both.

La fête des mères 2023/ Mother's Day 2023

You can make your reservation via their website, or on Quandoo or The Fork.

 

The Charles is offering a complimentary Club Brasserie made with Havana Rum, Cherry Heering, Amaretto, Raspberry, Tarragon & Citrus for all Mums dining on Mother’s Day 2023.

Then enjoy their à la carte menu designed by Executive Chef Billy Hannigan, which includes a range of new dishes including John Dory, roasted on the bone, with zucchini flower farçi & lobster butter and Cowra lamb with ratatouille and Sicilian olives. Or order for the table with their signature dish, the Whole dry aged Aylesbury duck à la Presse with queen garnet plum & radicchio.

Secure your table via this link or contact their reservations team on 9145 8066.

 

Afternoon Tea

The Charles also offers guests an exclusive afternoon tea experience with a selection of Savoury and Sweets carefully crafted by  their experienced pastry team, this is an Afternoon Tea experience that you won’t soon forget.

This experience is $99 per person and includes a glass of Moet, curated menu of savoury & sweets and flowing tea and coffee. Book your Afternoon Tea at The Charles, via this link or call their reservations team on 9145 8066.

 

Vatel Restaurant is normally closed on Sundays but will be open for Mother’s Day 2023 dinner from 6pm. They will be offering their à la carte menu to provide greater flexibility to their guests.

They will also have specials on Mother’s Day.

 

How are you going to celebrate Mother’s Day 2023?

To find out about events happening with French and francophone links in Australia, click here.

 

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The Innocent is a fantastic French comedy caper

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Louis Garrel’s hilarious and unique French criminal comedy The Innocent is now in cinemas, and is sure to be one of the best comedies of the year. It made its Australian debut at the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2023 and has now been released outside of the festival by Palace Films. It made its worldwide debut at a special gala screening for the 75th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival in 2022.

The Innocent

Louis Garrel (A faithful man) directs and acts in The Innocent, playing Abel, the concerned son of mother Sylvie (played by Anouk Grinberg), who has just announced she’s marrying a man she met while giving theatre classes at the prison, Michel, (Roschdy Zem, who is also in Other People’s Children, which was at the AFFFF 2023 but is also getting its own release in late May, and who was in Oh Mercy! at AFFFF 2020) a prisoner. This being his Mum’s third partner in 10 years, he’s anxious about her choices and her welfare at the hands of a criminal who has just served a five year jail sentence.

 

Along with best friend, Clémence (Noémie Merlant, who you may recall from Paris, 13th District, AF FFF22 and One year, one night), Abel decides to follow Michel to see what’s he up to. This has hilarious consequences as they try unsuccessfully to stay undetected, and leads to a surprising business proposition for them both: assisting in the robbery of an unlikely item – a truckload of highly coveted caviar.

The Innocent/ L'innocent
Louis Garrel, Noémie Merlant – © Palace Films

The Innocent is art imitating life. Louis Garrel’s mother’s marriage to a prison inmate when he was 18 served as the inspiration for the film. As in the film, she had met him through theatre workshops she ran at the prison. Similarly, Jean-Claude Pautot fit right in to the part of Michel’s accomplice even though he is not actually a professional actor but “a former rogue” that Louis Garrel asked for advice when he was writing the film and then decided to cast in the role.

 

The Innocent is multidimensional. It isn’t just about the former prisoner and his business proposition. Abel has the unenviable position of trying to keep all the balls in the air, torn by his desire to protect his mother on the one hand, and seeing her happiness in her relationship with the very person he wants to protect her from on the other. Not getting on the bad side of his mum’s new husband, and trying to keep the peace with his friend, Clémence.

Anouk Grinberg, Louis Garrel, Roschdy Zem – ©EmmanuelleFirman

It was nominated for an impressive 11 nominations at the 2023 César awards, making The Innocent the most nominated film this year. It won in two categories: Best Original Screenplay was awarded to Louis Garrel, Tanguy Viel and Naïla Guiguet, and Noémie Merlant was awarded Best Supporting Actress for her part in The Innocent and we can see why. It was great seeing her in a comedic role after seeing her in serious roles in Paris, 13th district and One year, one night about being a survivor of the November 2015 Bataclan attack.

 

Roschdy Zem was nominated Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Innocent at the César 2023 but didn’t win on the night. Zem impressed us as the suave criminal pretending that he’s living a normal life and again it was nice to see him in a comedic role having seen him as the police officer in Oh mercy! Louis Garrel was nominated for both Best Actor and Best Director for The Innocent at the 2023 César awards

 

Gritty, grainy footage of Lyon takes us back to French films from the nouvelle vague period. From the cobblestoned laneways of Lyon to a large open field on the banks of the river, The Innocent allows us to see different parts of the city.  Some of the later scenes were filmed at the roadhouse diner Le Relais de la Sanne, about an hour’s drive outside of Lyon.

 

The Innocent is a very original crime comedy with a side of romance and plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep you on your toes. This is a must-see French comedy.

5 CROISSANTS

Matilda Marseillaise was a guest of Palace Films at an advanced screening for media.

 

For more reviews of films that showed at Alliance Française French Film Festival 2023, check out the below:

A good Doctor delivers a dose of hilarity in the unexpected

Country Cabaret: a fun farm film to see at AFFFF 2023

Everybody Loves Jeanne: a funny and touching exploration of our inner thoughts and overcoming grief

Final Cut: a comedic zombie film that’s even for people who don’t like horror or gore

Happy 50/Plancha is about a group vacation gone wrong

Jack Mimoun and the Secrets of Val Verde is a fun adventure

Lie with me is a beautiful, heart-breaking film which is a must-see this AFFFF 2023

In On the wandering paths, Jean Dujardin takes the path less travelled

Paris Memories traces the difficulties of being a survivor of the Paris terrorist attacks

Ride Above is an inspiring, but predictable, film about finding the courage to ride again

Silver Rockers: a film inspired by the story of rocker retirees from Normandy

Sugar and Stars: an inspiring tale about the road to sweet success

The Colours of Fire: an heiress seeks revenge

The Origin of Evil is a must-see film this AFFFF

The Tasting is a film with depth and elegance

Umami is a feature film that should have been a short

 

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