Garçon Bleu

Located on level 9 of the impressive Sofitel Adelaide building in the CBD is the stylish brassiere-esq restaurant and bar, Garçon Bleu, furnished with sensual textures, luxe trimmings and panoramic views of the city.

You’ll be greeted with a “bonjour” or a “bonsoir” as you might expect from staff working for a luxury French hotel, so you won’t then be surprised to be handed a menu or wine list with a distinctly French slant.

Head Sommelier Daniel Ho says that only wines with varietals that can be found in France are represented on the list, which is organised by region, as is the French way. This isn’t to the exclusion of other world wines; quite smartly, “related New World” wines are also listed under each French region. These New World wines are selected from across Australia (not just South Australia) and New Zealand to inspire customers to “explore and expand their horizons of enjoyment.”

Wine selections are chosen primarily for their quality at each price point, alongside food pairing potential, but also for their individuality and je ne sais quoi.

The restaurant offers some special wine discovery experiences including a 90-minute cheese and wine masterclass on Saturdays. There is also a monthly wine flight in Déjà Vu (the hotel’s lobby bar) showcasing boutique wineries, including rare experiences with indigenous-owned brands displaying excellent quality.

Though located within a well-known hospitality group, a wine dinner at Garçon Bleu is anything but standard – it’s a bespoke experience.