There are some restaurants that are held in great affection. Perhaps it’s the food, or perhaps it’s the service, perhaps it’s the fact that they’re a unique proposition in a city where there is already a variety of restaurants abound or perhaps people make great memories while there. This evening, at Mere Catherine, it was a reunion dinner. Our little group had travelled to regional France together and we had, shock horror, enjoyed each other’s company so much that we wanted to catch up again and Mere Catherine , a classic French institution in Potts Point would help us relive the French memories.
Booking at Mere Catherine requires you to call on a particular day at a particular time. They’re not being inhospitable or difficult (and in this climate of no booking, we’re just so glad that they take reservations) but it’s a way of managing bookings. You see, it is a cosy 18 seater restaurant and chef Gerard Humair answers the phone for reservations. He has asked us as a table for six to come at 6:30pm so that they can give us the appropriate amount of attention – as we’ll later learn, the floor is handled by his wife Nanette alone. I’m asked to call again a few days before the booking to confirm.
When Judith and I walked in at 6:20pm, we were the first diners and it was love or cosy affection at first sight. From Nanette’s sincere, warm greeting, to the kitchen slightly visible behind a screen to the simple but homely furnishings, you feel as though you’re in someone’s home.
Nanette is tiny,with curly, light blonde hair with a gentle manner. Gerard the chef who toils alone in the kitchen is tall, wears a black baseball cap and glasses and sports a silver moustache. We ask Nanette about the name. Mere Catherine or mother of Catherine, is not the name of someone’s mother. Simply chosen because it is a classic French restaurant name and they serve classic French cuisine. She tells us that they aren’t allowed to change the menu but then brings us the white board menu “which they can change.”
Mere Catherine is BYO as well as being licensed. Which brings us to the wine list which a friend of mine Teena had mentioned was unique. “Would you prefer white or red wine?” Nanette asks. We answer red and she brings the wine list to the table. By wine list we mean she brings three bottles of red wine which we can choose from. By now, everyone is swiftly falling under the charms of Mere Catherine and Richard chooses a red and we’re ready to order.
Gratin coupole French onion soup $17.90
The reason why we were asked to dine so early is that things like the French onion soup are served at the table. Nanette brings two little silver cups and a bowl to the table and proceeds to whisk egg yolk and brandy into the French onion soup. I take a spoonful of the deep, rich broth and is it exquisite. Deep, velvety and smooth, you just don’t want it to end.
Le Pate du Chef $25.90
The pate is a coarse ground duck liver pate, strong and served with white sandwich bread toasts with fanned cornichons on top. It’s good but I really only have eyes for the French onion soup.
Escargot $17.90 for 6
“Slippery little suckers” and I almost avoid zinging one of these buttery shells into the lap of another diner – just. I can never get those escargot holders to work for me so it’s with a hand on a hot shell that I fish out the hot, garlic buttery morsel of escargot.
Roast Quail flamed Armagnac $46.90
For mains, I was tossing up between the duck which was roasted until crisp or the quail with the golden raisin sauce and I was swayed by my intrigue with the raisin sauce and the fact that the duck doesn’t come with a sauce. The quails come to the table in a copper pot and Nanette serves them with a flourish, spooning scoop after scoop of the rich raisin and Armagnac laden sauce with the two quails. It is a dish meant to be eaten with the hands and she places a finger bowl next to my dish. I dig in starting with a leg. What I first thought was perhaps too much sauce ends up being just the right amount, I tear the hot meat from the quail and stir it around the sauce and it is a wonderful combination. Comforting, slightly sweet but never overly so, I lick my fingers in appreciation.
Chateaubriand, sauce Bearnaise $66.90 for two
Filet mignon
Roast chicken in tarragon sauce $28.90
Creamed spinach
The creamed spinach is soft and velvety with the light flavour of nutmeg and the prized parts are the crispy baked in sides. It’s one of those sides that you can’t stop picking at.
Potatoes
Alas, I’m afraid that I didn’t quite get to try these! A shame as they looked very good.
Roquefort salad $21.90
The roquefort salad is said to be enough of feed six as a side and it is deceptively generously portioned. The roquefort dressing is tangy and creamy and served in layers on the crisp iceberg lettuce. In fact we can’t finish it, particularly as we had our eyes on the final prize: dessert.
Chocolate mousse $14.90
The chocolate mousse was a special and we ordered two of these to share amongst us along with one of each other dessert. The chocolate mousse was delectably rich, I think half of it would be enough for most but sharing the two among the six of us turns out to be a fortuitous decision.
Les Profiteroles aux Chocolat $14.90
We enjoyed the two fat puffed profiteroles stuffed full with custard and topped with lashings of whipped cream and chocolate.
Creme caramel $14.90
The creme caramel was a home made wobbly caramel topped with a squirt of whipped cream. The creme caramel was eggy but not overly sweet.
Les Meringues Chantilly $14.90
The crunchy meringue was a good textural contrast to the whipped cream and ice cream. To the side was a split strawberry filled with whipped cream and mint leaves.
Around about now, the rest of the tables get a bit happy on food and wine. We’ve watched couples exit, people leave to go to the bathroom (at the backpacker’s next door) and the whole restaurant sings Happy Birthday to a woman dining with her partner. He plants several long kisses on her mouth and then she gets up and sits on his lap and gives him a long lingering kiss A gentleman at another table yells “let’s clap for love!!!” and the applause grows louder as calls for the chef Gerard to come out. He comes out from the kitchen and waves and smiles to a loud round of applause.
So tell me Dear Reader, what is the most important thing to you at a restaurant? The food, service, atmosphere or price and why?
Mere Catherine
166 Victoria Street, Potts Point, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9358 2000
Tuesday to Saturday 6pm-11pm
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58 Comments | Add your own
Knock out photos as usual Lorraine. For me, my priorities for choosing a restaurant are #1 Food, #2 atmosphere. I’ve had terrific food in a bad atmosphere – no fun. I’ve had terrible food in a great atmosphere – also not good. I think those two elements are essential for a good dining experience!
Lovely post. I usually go to a restaurant based on a recommendation that the food will be good and price is right. I wish I was eating out more but until then I choose carefully.
Wow, I never knew this place existed! What a find, Lorraine! Every dish looks amazing, and I love that it’s all so personal.
Service. If the food is bad, it’s bad, but good service can make you feel better about it. Great food and bad service is still a bad experience and I wouldn’t go back. Love the look of the quail and that side of spinach is definitely something I would choose. GG
What a delightful place! For me, it’s a combination of all of those things.
I like the atmosphere of a place like this, but I am not into French food so much as vegetarian choices tend to be too limited, but I’ll go if they make me some lentils and a chocolate mousse
.
The thing is: would they want me there for so little?
Choosing a restaurant also means not offending the chef
Ciao
A.
Yes, vegetarian is limited with French food, and so is gluten free! French do some great lentil dishes, so this would make a great addition, if it’s not already on the menu. Otherwise just eating the sides can be an option. The creamed spinach looked yum!S
This restaurant sounds like a dream. The opposite of pretentiousness which seems to be rife in a lot of Sydney restaurants these days.
It’s not often that I eat classic French cuisine, but it’s a classic for a reason, your meal looked amazing.
I think all those components – food, atmosphere, service and price – they’re equally important.
This is just the kind of restaurant that I love best. Unpretentious, honest. And those quail!
Food is the most important thing and ambience is probably second. I can forego some ambience for good food, but not vice versa. Good service should be expected, as really slow, uneven, or rude service can put a damper on any meal. As for price–sometimes I am being economical, sometimes I splurge–price isn’t the deal-breaker as long as it isn’t ridiculous
The atmosphere sounds very friendly, and the mains look rich. But it’s your description of the French onion soup that has me really interested!
My colleague has recommended Mere Catherine as the best French food in Sydney – and I think the warm hospitality is another huge bonus. Gorgeous post
This restaurant reminds me one that was my favorite when I was in Orleans, France. I had to spent in that city 6 weeks the first time, and after that several weeks along the year, all for business. On that city I found a small restaurant with food that made me felt I’m in heaven, and I never leave it if I did not order the chocolate mousse.
Faddish cuisines come and go, but there is always a place for classic French food. Everything here looks just wonderful – and I’m glad you saved space for dessert. It would be a sin not to!
It looks like you had a wonderful night. I love a ‘real’French Onion Soup with it’s rich stickyness, yummo !
Well we had wonderful food at Aria in Sydney but the atmosphere was tainted by the couple beside us who decided to air their dirty laundry and discuss who was sleeping around with the nanny. So I think I’d rather eat great food at a little hole-in-the-wall place where you make your own atmosphere and don’t pay extra for it
What an adorable little place. Wow, only 18 seats? I bet it feels like dining in someone’s home — full of warmth and personal attention.
Dear Lorraine,
LOL at the near miss with the escargot. That style is truly the only way to eat it in my humble opinion. The herb garlic butter sauce is so awesome with some fresh bread too!
I adore little cosy French restaurants; there should be more of them.
Wow, I’d forgotten just how rich and inviting French cuisine is, did you all waddle out, lol! My pick would be the Escargots, Filet Mignon, Roquefort Salad and the Les Profiteroles aux Chocolat.
For me going to a restaurant has to be about the food first and foremost, why else go? If the service is bad you don’t go back! If the food, service and ambience are great then you make it a regular place. I don’t mind paying high prices for Fine Dining venues if the food and service justifies it but my brother-in-law who lives in New York finds that although the food is on par ,these venues tend to be over-priced compared to their NY counterparts. I cook every night so going out for a meal is something I look forward to. I love to try innovative but clean ,fresh dishes and am a great believer in locally sourced produce for flavour and freshness.
Sounds amazing, honestly all these places you keep adding to my mud eat list are going to make me fat and broke lol
This post confuses my soul, because I don’t want any of the desserts. Pate, please!
Aw, sweet… and what a rustic feast!
This place looks amazing! Brings back my memories of France x
Oh this whole post looks amazingly drool worthy! Great service can make ho-hum food acceptable, bad food is just bad. Bad service is also a deal breaker. Price depends, if it’s high but not horrendous then it’s ok for a special meal. With 5 kids the budget is rather tight!
What a lovely way to begin the week! I have been lucky enough to get to know quite a few restaurants of this kind and I love the experience: it’s like being visitore in some special person’s home! I also do not eat as much classic French food as I used to in my younger days, when health concerns did not worry nor Asian foods beckon. But these dishes are obviously beautiful and I do wish I could have been there. What is important in a restaurant: methinks it is a melange of all the things you have mentioned, as, in toto, they bring about the wonderful balance you obviously so enjoyed
!
The French Onion Soups sounds amazing! Cute little restaurant…I love that it only seats 18 people.
JUST made French onion soup over the weekend, TRUE!
Your photos always make me hungry and is only breakfast while I view!
I appreciate good service but am a “like the place to know my name” kind of gal too!
And vying for my attention is not made into a game…WHOO HOO!
Hi, great review. I haven’t been to Mere Catherine in 20 years but will book soon. You mentioned that there is a particular day and time to call for booking but I didn’t notice that you mentioned when that was.
You had me at onion soup, mm, I would love to have some. I guess I need to make one…
The most important thing about a restaurant is everything: service plus food multiplied by atmosphere divided by price equals a place I want to go over and over again.
I would rank it as follows: 1. Food, 2. Service, 3. Ambience, 4. Price. Food is a no. 1, I don’t mind eating at a place with little ambience and minimal levels of service (almost clinical with no personal touch) if the food is top-notch.
However, sometimes service makes all the difference in a place. I would choose to bring my friends to a place where I’m certain I’ll receive warm and personable service over a place that has good food with terrible service.
The food at Mere Catherine looks very classic French! I know I would totally go for the gratin onion soup, escargots and roasted quail!
Hmm good question. I think the food is quite up there but if a restaurant has a terrible atmosphere I’m unlikely to return. The same goes for bad service.
It’s funny you posted this today because I posted about a similarly friendly restaurant in Melbourne!
When you were out and about in Potts Point did you happen to see my Archie? We’re sure that’s where he’s living. This restaurant is so small it would be like dining in someone’s home and the food looks like it has that home-cooked look about it too. My children’s paediatrician operates in the same way in that on the day of your appt you have to phone at 12 to find out what time you can come in to see him. It’s the weirdest and most challenging system for those of us who like to be organised xx Oh – and I can’t believe no one saved you a potato!
Aw, that looks like a delightful corner of the world!
To answer your question, I’d say food, atmosphere, service and price are all key, but if I really had to pick, the overall price is probably the biggest dealmaker/breaker; yay for uni-student prices
Im loving the French vibe my friend, never been to a French restaurant
Fabulous evening!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I’d definitely have to say the food of course! Isn’t that what eating out is all about? You post looks super yummy
It’s not often that I have to stop and think about the answer to a question like this but honestly, I think it’s atmosphere. Second thought was, even if it was a great atmosphere and the food was crap, it should have been food first. It’s better when it’s all good.
The food looks great!
I think you were meant to type 6.20PM not AM hehe
What a lovely and cosy restaurant! Has a homely feel to it and that French onion soup sounds like a treat
Food will always be my priority in a restaurant, but if it’s completely lacking in atmosphere it definitely detracts from the experience. This looks amazing – gorgeous pics too.
Atmosphere is most important for me, with food a very close second. Nowadays I rarely come across below average food, but a friendly, warm, slightly quirky atmosphere is hard to find. Sometimes all I want is a good sausage and mash (local sausages, etc.), but the atmosphere still has to be warm and friendly for me.
There are three important things i”ll love in a resturant:
the atmosphere,the service rendered & the food.
Hi Marissa-thanks Marissa, I really struggled with the low light so you are very kind
Yes that’s true, terrible food and a good atmosphere isn’t worth a repeat visit! 
Hi Theresa-Thank you Theresa! Yes that’s fair enough I think, you really don’t want to waste a meal
Hi Celia-I think you would completely love it!
Hi Glamorous Glutton-I think people definitely know when they’ve had bad service don’t they?
Oh that spinach was so
delicious and both of those, along with the onion soup were my favourite!
Hi Cakelaw-It was so gorgeous there, we had a great night
Hi Alessandra-Ahh yes although I’m sure they’d be delicious lentils!
Hi Susan-Oh yes I guess it is! I have to say that I adored the sides so much
Hi Kristy-It is such a wonderful gem and I’m so glad that we have restaurants like this in Sydney
Hi Victoria-Yes me too! Oh that quail…I can still taste it!
Yes I completely agree with the way that you’ve put it 
Hi Arwen-Yes they were rich-perfect for the cold weather we’ve been having! It was so delicious!
Hi Chanel-Isn’t that great? Absolutely a gorgeous place
Hi Nydia-Isn’t it wonderful when a restaurant gives you that wonderful feeling and great memories!
Hi Amanda-You’re right, you can try new things but there’s always a place for classic French!
Hi Rebecca-Oh no, what a thing to have to contend with! Why do people do that in public? Eeek, that is so awkward
Hi Carolyn-Yes only 18! Isn’t that amazing?
That’s exactly how I felt 
Hi ChopinandMysaucepan-I should add that I was also trying to lean across a table to get it so that adds to the degree of difficulty.
Hi joey-I agree, although you’d be hard pressed to find one as special as this!
Hi Matilda-I did!
I was so full but of good food and company so that was good. Yes it’s all about value and fine dining can have value too 
Hi Jadey-hehe thanks Jadey! Hehe you are too funny
Hi Hannah-yes for me, it was the mains that delighted me!
Hi Tina-it was so delightful
Hi Erin-yes for me too! It was a great night x
Hi Cindy-you’re quite right Cindy!!
And yes I can imagine that with 5 kids, where you eat is a well thought out decision!
Hi Eha-I know, I just loved the cozy atmosphere
Yes we eat it occasionally and really enjoy it, especially when the weather is cold and bowl of rich food hits the spot 
Hi Miss Piggy-I know, it’s so cute!
Hi Joanne -Hehe how serendipitous!
It’s great when they know you and I think that if you went here more than once, they’d definitely remember your name 
Hi Steve-Oh fabulous! Was it like this 20 years ago? there is a particular day to call but it changes every week so just call and if no-one answers, the answering machine will tell you when is the best day to call to book
Hi Marina-I like the way that you put it Marina!
Y
Hi Jo-yes there are some of those hole in the wall places that don’t have ambience but the food is fabulous and I love those places too
Good choices Jo!
Hi Claire-Yes I guess it’s all a balance and we should get all three at the same time but sometimes we don’t. I’m trying to get onto your blog but I can’t?
Hi Charlie-Hehe I didn’t see Archie but I think I saw all of his friends around!
Haha how funny is that? Weird and
Hehe I wish I had tried a potato but I guess I wasn’t proactive enough 
wonderful!!
Hi MissT-It was indeed!
We’re lucky enough to live near a uni so we have no shortage of cheaper restaurants! 
Hi Choc Chip Uru-Oh really!I wonder if you’ll go undercover at one one day!
Hi Kimberley-It was really good food and lovely service. I think they just got it right on all counts
Hi Maureen-Ahh interesting! Hehe I wish restaurants could do all three really
Hi Vivian -Haha oh yes I did-thanks!
I could have some right now 
Hi thelittleloaf-Thanks so much!
I think it also depends on the occasion too 
Hi Natalie-I love quirky too! It makes a place much more interesting
And warm and friendly is always a good thing 
HI Doyin-Yes, it’s a great recipe for success
Oh! what a great eatery..I am bookmarking this address too. When will I be back to Syd? That’s like a million dollar question (or not)..just gotta just buy me a plane ticket and hop on the next flight out eh? LOL.. ok I am talking gibberish.. but this post is such a great MONDAY fix!!! xoxo, Jo
Everything here looks sublime!
For me – the food. The other things matter but mostly I love good food.
I’ve ALWAYS wondered about that restaurant…glad it’s as homely, warm and welcoming as it seems
What a lovely name for a restaurant heheheh. French food does it for me, I always love it. You’ve got me craving French onion soup and profiteroles!
For me it’s more about the food. I like the technique, skill, tradition, methods and even the science that goes into the production of a dish be it a cheap eat or a plate worthy of the good food guide. Love the way Sushi chefs deftly and expertly go about cutting up a fish and also take into account timing and temperature of serving sushi. Also love the way the Spanish and French and Italians plate up and present, but at the same time the age old tried and true methods of creating an ordinary looking but also satisfying and comforting bowl of noodles!!
Lorriane, I just love when I get together with a group for travel, etc. and we click and want to see each other again. No place could do it better than this little French gem of a restaurant, although I would have to be into the wine bottle a bit for the sloppy kissing. A big yes on French onion soup which is finished off table side.
I am amazed how beautiful the pics came out, because the lighting looks a bit low.The food looks delicious!
There is something about french small restaurants…
They speak passion and love in their food and style of work…
This looks fabulous.
Hi love your photos, reminds me of the bistro back home or my mum’s cooking. But I was shocked by the prices,it is nly Bistro food after all
I would say food first and price second. I will pay a premium for really creative cuisine, but probably won’t become a regular at a place that is pricey. When I find good food at a reasonable price, I’m in heaven!
omg that creme caramel looks absolutely ah-mazing!
oh so perfect! I wish we had food like this here.
i agree with you Rocky Mountain. Food first, but it s not creative cooking it s everyday cooking, bistro food. And i know there is more to pricing than just the ingredients themselves. and I think $ 14.90 for chocolate mousse is a bit expensive. but if people are willing to pay, good on her.
What a lovely place and the food looks absolutely wonderful. I can’t get over how expensive it is; French onion soup generally goes for around $10 for a good one. Makes me wonder what the minimum wage in Australia is.
Wow this sure looks like a warm French bistro!!! I love all the dishes you tried and the elderly lady looks SO nice!
I want to try all the desserts too especially the two fat profiteroles!
OOH I have been looking for another quaint classic French restaurant without all the modern posh hype. This looks like our next adventure. Thanks
This is my favourite restaurant in Sydney. Intimate, friendly and the most amazing food. I was fortunate to be there on the night of this review. As I was reading about the food I was reliving the taste experience, but then when you mentioned the celebration I realised that was the same night. Than I recogninsed my partner & myself in the last photo hehe. The atmosphere of the room with the Happy Birthday song, and joyous applause for Gerard was something special & unique that I doubt you’d find anywhere else. Almost felt like a family gathering. Definitely something special!!
It was a happy day indeed when I found that Mere Catherine was back, after Gerard and Nanette packing up and going back to France in (I think) the late 90s. I’m pretty sure that up until that point, their kids were waiting the tables. The space is now even smaller than before, but the soup and chateaubriand exactly as I remember. The only issue for me is that by the time I’ve had entree and main, there’s no room left for dessert! The only thing that’s a negative is going to the loo…next door in the backpacker’s hostel, amongst their toothbrushes and towels…
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