Lime Kitchen & Bar

Garden delights Owner and chef Stephen Pulman may have earned his chops in upmarket London nosheries but at his Mooloolaba haunt Le Bistro Jardin the emphasis is on creating a relaxing atmosphere while serving up the freshest local produce. As the name suggests, there is indeed a garden area, and you might just be lucky enough to snaffle a seat under the umbrella or a leafy palm tree. The menu strongly features the French side of Pulman’s heritage, with oven-baked eggs, bouillabaisse, and beef bourguignon on offer alongside pumpkin gnocchi and a ginger beef risotto. Where possible, Pulman uses organic produce, and the beef is guaranteed free-range and hormone-, antibiotic- and stress-free. On Saturday nights, Le Bistro Jardin has a value for money set menu with three courses for just $60. As it’s BYO, with $2.50 corkage, it’s a pretty good night out, and regulars love having a reasonably-priced European-style restaurant nearby serving delicious fare by a chef who used to cater to royalty and celebrities. However, we suspect that one of the biggest drawcards is the eye-popping selection of cakes and pastries. Best dish: Baked salmon in flaky pastry