La Buvette Brings Parisian Bar Style To Potts Point
La Buvette has opened on Challis Avenue in Potts Point – a Parisian-inspired wine bar pairing classic French dishes, a French-led wine list and a chic, intimate interior by Studio Gram.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos COURTESY OF LA BUVETTE
For dessert, the almost too pretty to eat, Le Cygne, translating to, The Swan.
La Buvette takes over the original Challis Avenue site and name of the much-loved Potts Point wine bar, which closed back in 2019.
The La Buvette menu brings together small plates and classic bistro dishes, alongside a considered wine list with a strong French focus.
“The best wine bars in Paris have a sense of ease about them - they’re places you drop into for a glass, end up ordering dinner, and somehow the whole evening disappears.”
The menu at La Buvette draws on a recent research trip co-owners Nathan Sasi and Morgan McGlone took to Paris.
The French Maid cocktail.
Garde la Pêche Spritz.
The drinks program was conceived by the group’s sommelier, Ishan Kaplish (formerly Mimi’s, Tetsuya’s), with a strong focus on French wine and French varietals from Australia and around the world.
La Buvette’s Poisson vin jaune.
On the menu, Esargots: snails with café de Paris butter and Paine et beurre: warm baguette and butter.
La Buvette has opened in Potts Point, taking over the Challis Avenue address once home to the much-loved wine bar of the same name.
The new version comes from The Goodies Hospitality, the group behind Bar Copains, Bessie’s, Alma’s and Vin-Cenzo’s, led by friends and co-owners Sali and Nathan Sasi and Morgan McGlone. Inspired by intimate neighbourhood wine bars of Paris, the focus is on French food, wine and a sense of informality.
‘The best wine bars in Paris have a sense of ease about them - they're places you drop into for a glass, end up ordering dinner, and somehow the whole evening disappears,’ says chef and co-owner Nathan Sasi. ‘That's the feeling we wanted to bring to La Buvette. It's a neighbourhood wine bar first and foremost, with classic French cooking, a great wine list, and warm hospitality. We feel incredibly lucky to be writing the next chapter for this much-loved corner of Potts Point.’
The menu follows a recent trip to Paris by Nathan and Morgan, drawing on familiar French dishes with less traditional details worked through them. Oysters are served with Champagne granita, while comté custard gougères sit alongside raw diced tuna and goat’s curd tart, escargots with café de Paris butter, and duck neck and pork sausage with seeded mustard.
Desserts include apple pie with French vanilla bean ice cream, a charred macaron with yuzu and finger lime, and a mini crème caramel.
The wine list, developed by group sommelier Ishan Kaplish, formerly of Mimi’s and Tetsuya’s, has a strong French focus. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir form its centre, alongside Champagne, French varietals from Australia and wines made locally by French winemakers. There are 23 wines available by the glass, with cocktails including the Buvette Martini with Tanqueray gin, dry vermouth, cornichon and brine.
Studio Gram has designed the intimate space within, using aged timber, brass, mosaic tiles and worn upholstery, with warm amber, caramel and mustard tones offset by deep red. The bar stools are inspired by those used at Leigh St Wine Room in Adelaide, previously owned and operated by Nathan and Sali.
With nine bookable seats inside and 30 walk-in seats outside, La Buvette keeps things intimate, marking a new chapter for the much-loved Potts Point wine bar.
La Buvette
35 Challis Avenue, Potts Point, New South Wales
Follow @labuvette_pottspoint
