French Fusion - Carlton

We should have had some idea that the experience was not going to be great when we tried to call three or four times and the calls all went to the message service and it too 24 hrs for a confirmation call. The decor of the restaurant and the service was good but the food was such a disappointment.It is French Fusion which seems like an excuse to be able to create and serve food which has a hint of French in the concept but not in the delivery.We started with the Garlic prawns, as a previous review rated it well, and also the salt and pepper lamb cutlets and both did not impress. The garlic prawns consisted of 1/2 doz small supermarket prawns floating in a cheesy sauce with some raw garlic added so the flavour was unsubtle and the prawns tasteless. The cutlets were slightly better but were tough and overcooked.We chose the Lapin a la Cocotte and Lamb Targine as our main courses and, like the entres, were very disappointed with the offerings. The combination of rabbit, carrot, canned mushrooms and creme fraiche looked appealling on the dish but the dish was bland and suspect it had been precooked and thawed on the day. The lamb was an odd mix and the meat cubes, while tender, did not combine well with the other curry and vegetable ingredients and the overall result was a stodgey gruel.Desserts lifted the meal experience slightly and we had the sticky date pudding and the Panna Cotta with lavender, poached pear disks and strawberry sorbet. Both were passable but not exceptional.So, overall a very average dining experience and not one that I would recommend. While the service was good, the food was below par for the price, the menu was too weighted towards pasta dishes and items like "sticky date pudding" were a strange addition to a French Fusion menu.

We were very disappointed in the food - French onion soup was red onion in a thin consommé with no bread or cheese. Duck l'orange gnocchi tasted like it had been cooked in prawn stock and the beef bourguignon was in a thin broth, the flavour of which was overpowered with juniper berries. The wine menu was very limited with only four or five whites and reds to select from. Me didn't stay for dessert and we won't be back.

Disappointing. Entree of calamari was good apart from the wet rocket in the bottom of the bowl. Garlic prawn entree was ok.Main of rabbit was very disappointing, only found one morsel of rabbit along with micro chopped vegetables. Small serve in a big bowl. Definitely not worth the $30 menu price. Sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce was another disappointment, small pudding floating in a tasteless sauce. Think it had been microwaved. Creme Brule, had a lot better

Our party of four dined at French Fusion on Monday January 19th using a Travelzoo voucher. If first impressions count, we were off to an excellent start when Michael took my reservation. The same Michael greeted us on arrival, directed us to a charming table, took drink orders, explained the menu & served us water. Our Waitress Nannija then attended to us & what a delight she was. She was attentive, efficient & unobtrusive. As for the food? It was 5 stars without a doubt.I did remark that the Chef should be "well looked after!" I'm not sure who the Owner is but he/she should "look after" all three staff members that we encountered. We will be back regardless of a promotional offer. The place was packed on a Monday evening. I think that says it all.

We had lunch there today using a 2 course meal voucher .In addition we purchased oysters mornay and coffees . Based on todays visit we are very surprised at some of the negative reviews on this forum .The service was excellent : very welcoming and friendly by a male and female staff member . Water was regularly topped up. Table was promptly cleared after each course and fresh serviettes and cutlery supplied.The meals were delicious and even though they appeared to be small helpings in large plates they turned out to be very adequate servings. The wine was OK and of a better standard to what you sometimes get with a voucher meal .We will dine there again Noticed that Lygon St was very quiet : some cafes had none or very limited customers .French Fusion had a dozen guests for lunchRobert and Lyn Young