Vamp’s B.Y.O. Bistro

This is the sort of review I don’t like to make, but — sigh — sometimes one must. The staff are very friendly. I had pâté from chicken livers to start with. The toast was OK, but the pâté was poor in taste: it was done according to the book — although without a hint of port or pepper — and without any inspiration. This is French cuisine one too often finds outside Europe: of a sort no European would accept anymore.
The veal kidneys the Liege way are a simple Belgian dish, but there are some essential rules: your kidneys need to be perfectly washed, else they smell of piss. In my case, they did and that largely destroys the pleasure. The sauce was actually quite good but not enough to disguise the smell.
On top of that, I was sitting at a small table with my back to an open door. Every few minutes, an icy gust of wind hit my head, and although I asked to close the door, after 2 minutes the same happened.
Absolutely not worth the money. It is high time the owner goes back to discover what French cooking is about.

Vamps is an institution. Great French bistro with wonderful service and a family feel about it.

This converted terrace house serves up authentic French food that warms the heart. Dining areas are intimate downstairs, opening up to a larger room upstairs (which is good for groups).
We had the steak with pomme frites, salade bettarave (beetroot/​walnut salad), the canard aux cerises (roast duck) and spatchcock (special of the day). All were amazing, but I must say that the duck dish was to die for. Perfectly cooked and balanced with a beautiful port and cherry sauce. YUM!
Service is great — and the wait staff are quite knowledgeable regarding each dish. Dessert — I highly recommend the Crème Brulee.

Vamps is the real deal for authentic French fare that doesn’t cost a small fortune. While the meals are worth a return trip in themselves, it’s the warm service and intimate atmosphere at this family-​run place that keeps me coming back whenever I feel like a little flavour of Paris.
Housed in a typical Paddington terrace at the bustling Five Ways, there are just a couple of bistro tables with traditional Thonet chairs at the entrance, while inside the small, carpeted, multi-​level restaurant feels like you’re attending a dinner party in someone’s home. The handwritten a la carte menu offers up some well-​known bistro dishes with a twist, like the garlic prawns with fennel salad and savoury crêpe-​wrapped fish with a prawn bisque sauce.
My most memorable main there has been the canard aux cerises — a roasted duck dish with a thick, port-​infused cherry sauce. Add in a side salad and some BYO wine and you’re looking at about $ 50 a head for a very enjoyable meal. Don’t pass up their crème brulee — a delicious, well-​executed classic.