Situated in The Woods Shopping Centre (previously The Colony) opposite sister restaurant Pronto, Liberté is quickly becoming a Craighall neighbourhood favourite. Natasha Maciel, owner of both restaurants, felt inspired to open Liberté as a celebration of femininity and a dedication to the women in her life.
The concept of celebrating feminine form is apparent in the small details of the bistro’s elegant decor: gold-rimmed round mirrors, pear-shaped vases, and bespoke illustrated crockery. Even the wine bar’s shelving has rounded edges, all accentuating a sense of softness and welcome in the restaurant.
The bistro has ample seating outdoors for sunny days, luxuriously soft booths for cozy dinners inside, and an intimate bar towards the back of the restaurant – perfect for a solo glass of wine, date night, or catch-up with an old friend (and there’s canapé sharing plates for a nibble with your drink).
The menu, much like the design of the space, aims at inclusivity. Alongside the wonderful all-butter pastries, you’ll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, like vegan french toast overnight oats, tomato tartare crostini, and vegan white bean salad with roasted onion.
The food, described by Natasha as ‘honest, well-made, French peasant food’ is just that – delicious and comforting food with a French influence, made with real butter and cream, but not heavy. Rich meals like the roquefort poached pear salad are balanced with a zesty acidic dressing. Even small plates like a smoked salmon vol-au-vent is thoughtfully topped with a deep fried caper and cerise pink pickled onion for a hit of salt and acid in an otherwise very rich pastry.
Must-try dishes include moules frites (creamy mussels and fries), sauce-vierge with kingklip, and the carrot soup – it may sound boring, but Natasha has elevated the humble root vegetable into a silky smooth main meal.
To end the night, try a fruit and cheese plate in true French-style, or the customer favourite Belgian chocolate fondant with homemade vanilla ice cream. We tried a mixed berry sorbet, also made in-house, which was beautifully presented and tasted like summer. And on your way out, make sure to get a freshly baked brioche loaf to take home.
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