The quaint bistro surrounded by lavender sits just outside of town, offering tranquil lake views and beautiful sunsets. An ideal way to spend your evening.

“Indulge in the classics from our À La Carte menu such as French Onion Soup, Beef Tartare or Crème Brûlée.“

Why not spend the day sampling local award-winning wine here at the Maude Tasting Room and book in for dinner.

Bienvenue au Bistro Gentil

APPETISERS

• Chicken liver parfait cigar, quince paste, ash /7
• Sourdough and Bistro’s compound butter /9
• Manuka smoked olives /8
• Rock oyster, shallot mignonette /8
• Wild mushroom croquette, parsnip puree /11
• Lamb croquette, cauliflower puree, miso mayonnaise /11

POTAGES

(GIVE ME A TASTE, OR JUST HAVE ONE!)

• French onion soup, gruyere crouton 13/21

ENTREES

INDIVIDUAL OR SHARING

• Aged beef fillet tartare, radish, egg yolk, soy gel, miso mayo, crispy shallots, croutons /23
• Heirloom tomatoes, homemade ricotta, compressed cos, dry olives, crispy buckwheat /25
• Seared swordfish, smoked buttermilk, fig leaf oil, squid ink tapioca, fennel, grapes, puffed rice /25

• Earth board, selection of 3 cheeses, house chutney, walnut, croutons, sourdough /35

PRINCIPALS

• Market Fish, prawns, celeriac, asparagus, tarragon, chili & preserved lemon oil, curry leaves /46
• 200g 55 day aged beef fillet, red onion relish, onion caramel, potato dauphines, Café de Paris butter or blue cheese butter /55
• Lumina lamb rump, kumara, hazelnuts, brown butter, peach chutney, crispy kale /45
• Roasted leek vinaigrette, honey mustard vinaigrette, goat cheese, brown butter croutons, fried capers /38
• 200g Red Tussocks venison, creamy spinach, walnuts, plum chutney, harissa and garlic dressing /47

ACCOMPAGNEMENTS

• Signature French fries with truffle salt /14
• Carrots and parsnip braised in beef fat, cashew, parsley /14
• Green garden salad, apple vinaigrette /12
• Kumara fries, aioli, chives /14
• Roasted Brussel sprouts, apple dressing, hot sauce mayonnaise /14

DESSERTS

• Vanilla crème brûlée, peanut crumb, boysenberry sorbet /20
• Poached rhubarb, spiced chocolate crumb, macarons, sour cream mousse, vanilla ice cream /20
• Colonel 2.0, lime sorbet, vodka and prosecco /18
• Selection of house made ice cream and sorbets /18
• Canelé de Bordeaux, French pastry with rum, salted caramel ice cream, chantilly /18
• Mini bistro desert /8
• Affogato, vanilla ice cream, espresso, liqueur of choice /23

Feel like a sweet wine?

• Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauv Blanc /18
• Campbells Rutherglen Muscat /16
  Bon appétit !

To make a reservation, simply complete the form below, a credit card registration will be required to confirm your booking. No charge will be made to the card at this stage. In the case of ‘no show’ a $50 fee will be charged to the card. Please refer to our booking policy below. 

For private hire, large groups and special requests email bistrogentilwanaka@gmail.com.

For parties larger than 9 people, we offer a 3 course set menu so we can deliver the best service. Please email us for more details.

If you are unable to make a reservation online call us on 03 443 2299 as we may still have availability.

BOOKING POLICY
Please note that the cancellation must be requested 24 hours prior to the reservation time otherwise cancellation charges may apply. When booking we request credit card details via the secure Stripe payment platform in order to confirm the booking.

Bistro Gentil reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of $50 per head when one of the following conditions has been met:
1. Booking is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
2. Guests do not show up for the reservation (bookings will be considered no-show after 30 minutes)
3. Party size is less than the original booking by 2 or more guests without notice.
The cancellation fee will be deducted from the registered card on file and the person responsible for the booking will be notified by email.

A request from us:

If you are unable to honour your reservation or would like to make any changes, please let us know as soon as possible. It is important that we reallocate seats to our waiting list during busy times.

We are a small restaurant, so the amount of staff on in an evening is based on our bookings. We will love you for it!

Merci!