Bistro Molines

Someone from this business manages this listing.

1,029 reviews

#1 of 2 Restaurants in Mount View$$$$, French, International, European

+61 2 4990 9553+ Add website

Hours

Sun

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Mon

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Thu

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Fri

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Sat

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

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Ratings and reviews

4.5

1,029 reviews

#1 of 2 Restaurants in Mount View

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, French, International, European, Australian, Vegetarian friendly

“Amuse Bouche uninspired.”

“... or their perfectly seared rack of lamb with eggplant and pine nut caponat...”

“... which was a perfect way to end a nice lunch with a few takeaway bottles t...”

“The duck that followed was nothing short of exquisite, leaving my taste buds...”

Location and contact

749 Mount View Rd Hunter Valley, Mount View, Cessnock, New South Wales 2325 Australia

+61 2 4990 9553

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Is this restaurant good for scenic view?

Yes

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Details

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PRICE RANGE

$1.00 – $1.00

CUISINES

French, International, European, Australian

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

1,029 reviews

Excellent

775

Very good

159

Average

Poor

Terrible

westy54

Sydney13406 contributions

French inspired food was excellent - service not so.

Nov 2020 • none

Restaurant is in a great location with some sweeping views over the rolling hillside if you are lucky enough to secure one of the tables outside. The road to the restaurant though is unsealed for the last few kilometres, As we were travelling up from Sydney on a Thursday we booked for lunch at the last advertised time being 1.45pm and arrived a little bit early. On arrival we were met by Sally who apologised that the only table that she had available at that time was a table poked behind the front doors but that several people currently seated out on the terrace were close to finishing up and that she would move us out onto the terrace shortly - certainly if not before our entrees then before the main course. We had not asked to be seated outside but were very happy to move from our pokey corner when the time came. Obviously we were out of sight and out of mind as people arriving well after us without reservations, as we were sitting right at the front door we heard the conversations, were shown to the recently vacated tables on the terrace. Entrees came and went as did the main courses and more people without reservations including a couple at 2.4 5pm who were shown to an outside table. Eventually we were moved for our dessert and coffee but the moment had passed. Maybe if Sally had not said anything at all about moving us our experience may have been better as our expectations would not have been built up. Service other than that was not great as the location behind the front door was out of the way. On a brighter note the menu (two courses for $78 and three courses for $95) listed some French inspired mouthwatering dishes which certainly delivered. We started with an amuse bouche which we followed up with entrees of a salad of oxheart tomatoes, burrata and rocket as well as the Charcuterie of Robert's pate, Parma ham, terrine, salami, rillettes, mortadella, pickled vegetables, radish and cumquat jam. The Charcuterie dish was superb and really was so large that it would have been more than enough for two people. Luckily the service was slow so we were able to take our time but did not finish it. As mains we had the roast rack of lamb with broccolini, zucchini and roast macadamia puree and the twice cooked duck with red cabbage, speck and peas. We also had a salad of mixed leaves ($9) extra. Both of these dishes were delicious. Sometime later, seated out on the terrace, we shared a vanilla bean creme brulee with strawberry sorbet and fresh berries while watching the rain fall on the hillside. Quite delightful. There is quite a deal of free parking available on site.

Written 24 January 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

judy m

Toronto170 contributions

birthday lunch first timers

June 2020 • none

another birthday to celebrate..ME...Im soo lucky my neighbours took me here for a birthday lunch, they have been enjoying this fine restaurant for over 10 years now. On arrival, signed the Covid visitors register and sanitised , lady on door checking everyone was compliant .......moved to a lovely table in the closed glassed in verandah. Canapés and drink orders were taken, great wine list here, pretty well $$$$, but none the less delightful. Men ordered 3 course and us ladies two courses. All serves are generous. My meat dish was a little overcooked on the outside but still enjoyable. Desserts here are dreamy. A very friendly atmosphere and I love that it has the open cooking kitchen design, such a pleasure to see true craftsmen creating stunning meals for the guests. Somewhat out of the way place along a dirt road, I doubt you would just drive past and discover Molines. all tables were full for a Friday lunch, and the way staff were soo attention to customers showed that most of the diners were regulars. Fine dining in a delightful setting.

Written 25 July 2020

Catherine W

65 contributions

The Mediterranean in Australia - Wonderful setting and great lunch

Mar 2020 • none

I was a guest for a group lunch with Pokolbin ADFAS and as a group we had a set menu. We had salted peppers and tapas for starters and a memorable chicken stew for the main course. I loved the setting although it was 38 degrees outside the restaurant was cool enough to eat inside. The service was very friendly and welcoming.The views across the wine growing valley and the decor of the Bistro made it feel like it was a Mediterranean Bistro but in Australia.

Written 4 April 2020

Penny N

Greater Sydney147 contributions

This time, very disappointed!!

July 2020 • none

We make a point of having lunch here each time we come to the Hunter since the views, service and food are always exemplary. As soon as they advised they were re-opening after Covid restrictions, we made a reservation for 6 weeks time. On arrival, we were placed at a table inside in a corner, facing the wall. The restaurant was not full and I kindly asked the waitress who showed us our table if we can please sit elsewhere, and especially as we had made the reservation 6 weeks prior. Her reply, although polite was simply that everyone made their reservations in advance and unless I want to sit outside near the entrance then there's nothing else. Not a great start. However, we figured we would try to enjoy it anyway. Our starters were quite lovely. We had the figs with the gorgonzola, charcuterie plate and the fritto misto. Beautifully presented and tasty too. However, the mains were not so great. The fish was somewhat dry and the duck was overcooked to a point where you couldn't use your fork for some of it. Hubby's steak was nice. We told our waitress who was apologetic and gave us a complimentary dessert. The dessert was a heart shaped choc mousse filled mille feuille with berries, cream and hazelnut praline. It was quite nice. Our waitress was lovely too. Not sure if we will go back! Having visited some other much nicer restaurants during our stay we will be more inclined to go there next time.

Written 7 July 2020

l84tens

Scottsdale243 contributions

Amazing setting, superb food—a must visit

Mar 2020 • couples

One of the best lunches I’ve ever had. Plan on two hours as perfection in the kitchen takes time. I am so thankful that our wine guide brought us here. There were five of us and we shared dishes. Appetizers/entrees included baked prosciutto wrapped figs, leek tart, and organic burrata/tomato salad. Main dishes included duck, pork cutlet with fig and apple chutney, veal wrapped in pancetta and chicken cacciatore with creamy polenta. Everything was over the top fabulous and we stopped ourselves just short of licking the plates (that took every bit of restraint we had). The service was friendly and informative. She suggested the perfect wines to pair with our dishes, a Briar Ridge Semillion and a Carillion Shariz. I wished we had had room for a dessert but we were so full there wasn’t room!! The setting is just about the most idyllic/romantic I’ve ever seen. It’s perched on a hillside looking over vineyards. The ambiance is relaxed elegance. I only wish a return visit didn’t involve 20 hours of flying from the US.

Written 2 March 2020

Roved

Sydney122 contributions

Used to be fabulous …

May 2021 • friends

We have been to Bistro Molines many times since it opened. Oh, that view! And wonderful hospitality too. And the food great too… until our last couple of visits this year. Unfortunately it’s ‘sitting on it’s laurels’; has become hugely popular but the quality of food has dropped significantly. On our last visit a couple of weeks ago, the shellfish in the pasta entree were chewy, the lambs brain’s hard and over fried, and the entree special of sardines and calamari deep fried, over cooked and dry. The saving entree was the charcuterie platter, which was generous and inviting. The main courses fared a little better: the twice cooked duck was delicious, as was the pork belly … but the beef rib was dry, and the ‘special’ goat tagine a very ordinary ‘stew’. Such a shame. We have been loyal customers for so long, but we won’t be back until we know changes have been made. (But we know our review won’t make a difference, that we are in a minority … the popularity of Bistro Molines is enormous and they’re booked out weeks in advance!)

Written 10 July 2021

BistroMolines

We are still fabulous! Nothing has changes! except with covid we have been pushed to the max with more Australian travellers and trying to keep up with the popularity we are certainly not resting on our laurels. Thank you for being a loyal customer in the past. Sally and Robert do take it personally and your review has been noticed ......

Written 11 July 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lynnerawly

Longridge117 contributions

Fantastic food in lovely setting

Jan 2020 • friends

Six of us visited this lovely restaurant, in the most beautiful setting. The views were outstanding, the staff polite and the food wonderful. I had a burrata salad which was as delicious as beautiful (see pic). This was followed with grilled cod and salsa verde. I enjoyed every bite. My husband opted for the stuffed zucchini flowers and beef, both were superb and cooked to perfection (I know as I couldn’t resist trying them). Others in our group ordered the sharing platters for starters and these were generously filled with many delights. Would definitely recommend - somewhat pricey but worth it!

Written 13 January 2020

Tom P

Jakarta577 contributions

The place for a long lunch!

Jan 2020 • none

The place for a long lunch! One of our favourites to visit for lunch in Pokolbin with some of the best views. We were seated on the verandah and had entree and main. We started with the figs and zucchini flowers which were a great ‘light’ start to the meal. We had the fish and venison for mains. The fish was delicious but the venison cold at serving and lacking the punch I’d expected (nice overall but not wow). We had no room for dessert but were given a lovely petite sponge cupcake to finish off. Waitresses were very nice with personal touches and engaging on conversation our our trip. Thank you once again.

Written 9 February 2020

michlaz21

Sydney450 contributions

Girls long lunch

July 2020 • friends

We had lunch here, this restaurant was highly recommended. Overall the service was slow, though I believe it was because they were heavily booked and short staff due to covid. The staff did try there best to make sure everyone was ok. The food was nice the wine was even better. Everyone loved there food, I order the slow cooked beef though it was to tough and I did not enjoy it. Overall great view almost mad you feel you where in Tuscany.

Written 3 July 2020

Lesley P

Vancouver4 contributions

Lack Lustre

Dec 2021 • none

On arrival we waited to be seated which was to be expected as we were early, however, the staff did nothing to make us feel welcome or to acknowledge we were early and would be seated shortly which unfortunately was not a great first impression. The staff who served us were fabulous and very attentive. The entrées varied dramatically in size with the majority being more than ample and one rather small and unsatisfying. The main course left a lot to be desired with the meat undercooked and a tad tough. All accompaniments were at an additional cost, but when two courses were $95pp it seemed excessive when the quality wasn't up to par. Sadly it was a lack lustre lunch and one we won't be repeating.

Written 1 December 2021

Judy J

Sydney494 contributions

Superb in all respects

Feb 2021 • none

We found the staff to be very diligent ad professional. We were given good advice as to how we should order for the 5 of us with shared plates for entres. The charcuterie was very well presented with a selection to suit all. Our mains were delicious, the beef and veal extremely tender and flavoursome. Dessert was beautifully presented, elegant and pretty. Wine advice was well given and we enjoyed the choices. Just to top it off they added another plate with elegant meringues and "Happy Birthday" inscribed in chocolate and a sparkler in one of the meringues. What a great team. Well done! Truly a memorable occasion for all the best reasons.

Written 14 February 2021

espshp

Sydney33 contributions

Location Win, Food Not So Much

Sept 2020 • none

We were welcomed warmly and wow, the view certainly blows you away. The service was impeccable. We all had the 3 courses - the zucchini flowers were way too heavy. The batter was too thick and they were completely overwhelming. Lambs brains were overdone and batter too heavy, the charcuterie board was fantastic. The lamb rack was okay, only 2 chops which on their own were delicious, sauce/jus was too strong/thick and the bean mix was confusing. There was too much going on and again, too heavy. The fish didn't come with the shellfish it was supposed to have. You deal with the food as you go along the courses as it was okay but when you go to pay the bill, you feel ripped off. I am the least fussiest food eater, I even like plane food..... Won't be back, may visit the cellar door for the view.

Written 6 September 2020

WorldTravellerOz

Sydney1313 contributions

Not quite perfect

Sept 2020 • couples

I have been here a number of times over the years and each visit was worthy of 6 stars. Today it slipped to just 4. Service was again exceptional by very friendly staff but the food let things down a tad. We started with a charcuterie plate and stuffed figs, almost a perfect start. The mains of pork cutlet and beef rib was also exceptional but the vegetables were burnt almost beyond recognition and inedible. The wine list although local did not have anything by the glass which I thought to be quite absurd given there is a winery on premise. I’ll be back as I love the view and food.

Written 9 September 2020

DIcksi

Broadbeach145 contributions

So much food!

May 2021 • couples

We went here for our anniversary dinner on a recommendation by a friend. There was a set three course menu which had an outstanding choice of foods. It was hard to make a decision. They brought out bread and olive oil for starters and followed this with a small potato and leek soup with focaccia bread. Then we had our three courses! We left feeling extremely full - we couldn’t even finish our wine. Beautiful food and well worth the visit. It would be great if you could buy wine by the glass though - match the foods but also good for the driver!

Written 2 May 2021

David P

67 contributions

Anniversary Dinner

Apr 2021 • couples

Firstly the food was fantastic, wine list was stupid, the wines were 3 times the amount you can purchase theses wines outside, saying that if you want to spend it, it’s your choice. The staff were fantastic, really good however they don’t need to stand over you when paying the bill. Finally I have never felt as uncomfortable in a restaurant as I did here, it was so cold when you breathed out you could see the vapour.