Cru Bar & Cellar - Fortitude Valley

Very cool place to have a drink, Champagne a plenty and a great, well exceptional variety of wines. French theme kitchen with one of the most exceptional duck parfait we have ever tasted. The duck gnocchi was very ordinary ....strong in duck jus flavour quite sticky, the duck was very dry and the potato gnocchi quite sloppy, the duck pie was incredible although very small it punched out enormous flavor. The duck salad was very elegant and must have been from another piece of duck breast to the gnocchi, the salad was very crisp and oozed flavour and aromatics. The service is why the place doesn't get a 4.5 which it fully deserves, Non existent, very short and to the point but not rude. Perhaps the owners should consider some EQ training. Check it out and very reasonable price wise.

A function room, bar and restaurant in front of James Street Market complex, facing James St. has an excellent choice of salads, share plates, sides and bistro favourites to suit most palates. Ordered a confit Duck salad, Haloumi salad and Calamari from the menu, although temped by the Gnocchi on the blackboard specials. All dishes were well presented and flavoursome. The calamari was perfectly tender and dry, salads delicious and wine by the glass is extensive and complementary to the meals. Attentive service and nice surrounds. Although busy James Street is on view, noise was minimal and it's worth the view. The quality of the meals, drinks and service was apparent and the total bill approaching $100 was apt for an enjoyable experience.

Some good cocktails and yes a big big big range of wines and other stuff in their bottle-shop. But some very expensive prices too... there are better cocktails getting made for less in james street

Share plates are great and matched with an impressive drinks and wine list but the mains were a disappointment. The duck was little dry and the black angus, which was ordered medium rare, was more on the medium to well done side of the temperature scale. The location, staff and atmosphere saved it from being a lower score with mains stopping it being higher.

Three of us grabbed a table overlooking James St on a glorious Sunday afternoon. We started with bubbles and beers to accompany out calamari- which arrived with aioli and lemon wedges, It was crisp and light coated in japanese bread crumbs. Then came the plump prawn tortellini in a beautiful buttery sauce. Our mains were a smoked salmon salad, chilli prawn linguine and salmon with fennel and mash. All meals were devoured with no leftovers- delicious. We stayed for more drinks and to enjoy the view and weather. Service was friendly and quick.