French bistro dining in Sydney?

[Amarantha]

We're going to be in Sydney for Christmas, so we thought we'd stay a few days and spend our anniversary dinner there on the 28th. We feel like traditional French (steak tartare, cassoulet, tarte tatin style-of-fing) - we're thinking of something along the lines of Melbourne's Aux Batifolles.

I've searched the web, and it seems most restaurants described as French do fairly modern, fusion-style cuisine rather than old-fashioned farmhouse food. After making a short-list of promising places, we settled a few weeks ago on Tabou. But looking it up today, to make a booking, there have been several bad reviews posted in the past month, and we'd rather not risk it.

The current short-list contains Bayswater Brasserie, Bistro Moncur, Bistrode and La Goulue. Does anyone have any experience with these places, or know of somewhere else that's worth a try?

Thanks in advance

[The Chefs Office]

Bayswater is a favourite, a bit British but good French bases.

Very friendly team, lively bar

[Amarantha]

Thanks, we'll look it up

[rarerollingobject]

I quite like Mere Catherine, in Potts Point. It's tiny, kitschy and very old-school French.

La Guillotine in the CBD is good too. Their website is here.

[rarerollingobject]

Oh, and there's also Chez Pascal, though that's in a slightly awkward location if you're staying centrally - a $30 or so taxi ride from the CBD.

But good, old-fashioned French favourites.

[Amarantha]

Thanks for the suggestions

We're staying in Dee Why, and can borrow a car - I'll check a map.