Bistro 3 Restaurant Review - Bistro 3 Restaurant Port Douglas, sits on pole position at the corner of Macrossan and Wharf Streets and it’s established itself as one of the Port’s favourite eats. This is partly due to the fact they operate a 3-in-1 venue, with seafood, tapas and bar under the one roof; but the main reason is that they have a genius in the kitchen.

It was another dizzyingly perfect Port Douglas evening when our party of four (including an eight year old) settled in for our first taste of new chef Matt Wild’s revamped menu.  If there was ever any doubt that Matt was going to produce it was extinguished right from the off.  A cursory glance at the menu was enough to let us know we were in for a treat.

Then again, the freshly shucked Tasmanian oysters, carpaccio of eye fillet and delectable pan seared thyme gnocchi entrees were the real proof. Blending classical French influence with a dash of Oz adventurism, each was a snapshot of the taste, texture and finely crafted tang of the place.

What’s more, the Bistro 3 restaurant's specially prepared barramundi and mash dish took the kid’s menu idea to new heights.  The whole table was reaching over to grab morsels from her plate.  (Good thing she already had her eye on the desert menu.)

After that, the mains kicked us into orbit.  Matthew’s peasant stew with fresh local seafood and saffron potatoes had the kind of earthy richness and ocean zing that that name suggests. A signature dish indeed.

On the other side of the table, the steak was sheer heaven, (luscious even), and the barra fillet wrapped in pancetta was both delicate and robust, the soft fish and the sharp, saltiness of the meat sitting supremely well together.  Gorgeous.

By this stage, the eight year old was melting at the prospect of the Bistro 3 restaurants famous house made ice cream and sorbet trio.  If you’ve never tried real ice-cream made fresh like this, I suggest you leave room.  It’s something else.

The adults, meanwhile, opted to share the chocolate terrine, which, truth be told, was almost unbearably sexy.  Put it in your mouth and you’ll know what I mean.

Bistro 3 Restaurant Port Douglas is a dead set ‘must do’.  Sophisticated enough to go the extra yard but chilled enough to make you feel like you’re on holiday, it kinda sums up the whole Port vibe.

Bistro 3 Restaurant - Port Douglas Australia