Watson shops has had somewhat of a reinvention over the past year or so, with its newly refurbished exterior and small but eclectic restaurants.

We have My Friend, a Vietnamese restaurant that I must admit I haven’t eaten at in quite some time, Satis, a vegetarian/vegan restaurant come coffee house/bar (which only just reopened after an expansion and new fit out), and at the higher end, Cherryripe Brasserie (formerly Carlo’s and then Joey’s Kitchen).

I really wasn’t sure what to expect at Cherryripe Brasserie. The name threw me but we decided to give it a try. The fitout has a French feel to it with greens, reds and gold on the walls with hanging French inspired artwork and industrial style lighting. High bench tables at the front with French doors opening during warmer weather add to the ambience. On inspection of the menu, it turns out that there’s a real mix up of traditional Italian, modern Australian and Asian. Important note: the chef that started at Cherryripe has left and a new chef now reigns – he has only been there a matter of weeks, so if you’ve been before and want to try something new, give it a go as it’s well worth it!

Head Chef, Tri Lao, whose Uncle & Auntie incidentally own Griffith Vietnamese, is Vietnamese (maternal) and Chinese (paternal). He grew up in Vietnam and was influenced mostly by his mother at a young age. He trained in Vietnam and came to Australia in 2005. It’s not hard to see where the Asian influences are reflected in the menu.

My partner and I have now eaten at Cherryripe a few times and sampled a variety of the dishes. On our first visit, I was getting over an illness. I chose the Chargrilled Marinated Beef Salad with chilli jam, green papaya and bamboo heart, cherry tomatoes, pickled mango and thai herbs ($17.90). All I can say is that it was amazing! The flavours danced around my mouth, it was clean and I had a feeling of wellness afterwards.  Since then, we’ve sampled the other Asian inspired salad: Vietnamese prawn & chicken salad with shredded red cabbage, julienne carrot, onion, cucumber and Vietnamese herbs ($17.90). It’s just as good as the beef. We have also tasted the traditional Malaysian laksa ($19) and the Crispy Thai green prawn curry ($21). Both were so full of flavour.

In trying to widen our spectrum of the menu, we have tried the 350gm char-grilled sirloin ($27.50). Ours was a little over what we like but the quality of the meat spoke for itself. It cut like butter and was beautifully accompanied with baked potato, steamed vegies and a red wine reduction (which was to die for and made from scratch). The grilled chicken breast mignon ($24.50) was wrapped in prosciutto, served with fried potato, roast vegetables and béarnaise (again, made from scratch). Now, I’m somewhat of a lover of anything hollandaise or béarnaise, and this has to be one of the best I’ve tasted.

The pizza, what can I say but YUM! We chose the four cheese with baby spinach and sundried tomato ($16). Hot, crisp and uber cheesy – there was no skimping on the ingredients with this one.

Each week there are specials which Chef Tri derives by what’s fresh and seasonal at the markets. One such special was the poached salmon with cherry tomatoes and asparagus in a citrus butter sauce. It was divine! The salmon melted away and the sauce was something you just couldn’t leave on your plate.

Lulled by the sultry waves of music by Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra (no Edith Piaf), we happily relaxed after stuffing ourselves silly and sipping on ice cold wine. The wine menu is small but covers all bases. There is a pretty yum looking dessert menu and, although we couldn’t fit it in, we saw a couple go past, including a trio of sorbet and mars bar cheesecake…

At the front counter there is a cabinet of homemade pies, rolls, cakes, slices and macarons, perfect to take away or go with a cuppa for morning or afternoon tea. There is also an amazing looking breakfast menu with anything from their French vanilla toast with strawberries, maple syrup and chocolate sauce ($10.50) to the ‘Cherryripe baked beans’ in homemade tomato sauce served with toasted sour-dough or gluten-free bread ($10.50). But for me, it’s Eggs Benedict ($13.50)… I just have to try that hollandaise ! Options are there for Florentine (baby spinach), bacon or smoked salmon, as well as the Big Breakfast or the Vege Board.

The staff are extremely friendly, efficient and personable and they happily go out of their way to answer questions and accommodate patrons.

New to the restaurant is an upstairs function room which can seat up to 12. Decorating hasn’t quite finished but it’s a beautiful, quiet space which would be equally good for boardroom meals or a private or small function.

If you’re a local – or even if you’re not – Cherryripe is well worth a visit.

the essentials

What: Cherryripe Brasserie
Where: Shop 2, Watson Place, Watson (off Windeyer Street)
When: Tuesday 8am to 4.30pm, Wednesday – Saturday from 8am to 9.30pm, Sunday – 8am to 2.30pm
Phone: 02 6255 6965