Toorak Road, a rather upmarket inner Melbourne suburb, has a new Gallic accent courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Philippe Aubron, and Laurent Boillon of patisserie fame.

The concept is simple. Modelled on a French butchery (Aubron’s family were butchers in France), the restaurant specialises in superb cuts of meat expertly prepared by chefs showcased working behind a huge viewing window.

The ambience is casual-chic, and the cool understated interior is the ideal setting for entrees which are clever combinations of tasty tapas, ideal for sharing. Meats come grilled, casseroled or roasted. Sausages are served hanging from a tall stand, by gamin wait-staff in quasi-boucherie outfits, and the bread rolls, brought to hang in petite hessian sacks below the table edge, are from Laurent Patisserie, of course.

Les Boucheries Parisiennes, 268 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Victoria, 03 8256 1636. www.lesboucheries.com.au