As Gerard’s Bistro opens its doors in time for lunch on Friday, the creative minds behind Lychee Lounge and Laruche have taken a step up in the food realm, creating a very much restaurant-focused locale. Featuring a menu that ranges from small and large plates to bar food and lavish desserts, the brothers settled on Southern European cuisine with a North African spice for their latest gastronome adventure.

As always, the interior design lives up to the family’s reputation. A concrete angular bar rises from polished concrete flooring, while a puzzle of mismatched wooden planks frames an open kitchen. The low ceiling of thin, perfectly aligned timber beams, contrasts with the orange, mustard and olive tones in the cushion and seat covers. Touches of metal detail and exposed brick add to the raw, natural materials forming a theme across the meticulous design, with Moroccan tiling adding pattern to the sharp lines and angles.

While Elie, Johnny and Mel Moubarak have always delivered an otherworldly level of foodstuffs at  Lychee Lounge and Laruche, Gerard’s Bistro maintains the informal and approachable style of dining, while taking the flavour up a notch. From a menu built on seasonal local produce, try the Free Range Quail with Honey, Lavender, Pomegranate and Sage followed by Roasted Heirloom Vegetables with Spiced Crumble, Anchovy and Shanklish.

Check out Gerard’s Bistro on The Street Photographer.

Gerard’s Bistro
Shop 14/15 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Ph: 3852 3822
Open: Lunch and Dinner seven days, Breakfast coming soon