Profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with warm dark chocolate sauce AUD14.50

--- We started with the cheese puffs, and it was like biting into little puffs of air. It was so light that spearing it with a fork was too hard, and we had to resort to fingers. We suspect that it is a basic souffle mix dollopped into hot oil and fried to a light and airy puff. Amazing.

Once I saw that the cheese puffs were a manageable size, I immediately added the duck neck sausage to our order. Not long after, 4 small discs of minced pork appeared. I love a good sausage and this didn't disappoint. It was served with segments of orange that provided a nice foil. There were also a few boiled baby beets hidden under the leaves and it seemed a bit too tender compared to the nice big flavoursome beets we were used to.

Julia was very impressed with the duck fillets, and she remarked several times how tasty the flesh was. I preferred the smoky grilled quail, but it was true, the quail meat was tender and juicy like the duck, but didn't have the richness of flavour of the duck. The pommes anna under the quail went amazingly well with the madeira sauce. The crispy bits of potato on the edges were also very good. The French beans were tender and so full of Spring sweetness.

We ended our meal with a good coffee and tea, and the profiteroles to share. We both loved the chocolate sauce, but we prefer the choux pastry at Laurent Pattiserie.

Annie Smither's Bistrot & Produce 03.5422.2039 72 Piper St Kyneton VIC 3444 anniesmithers.com.au

Reviews: - Annie Smithers Bistrot, By Necia Wilden, The Age Epicure, September 27, 2005 Score: 15.5/20 - Annie Smithers Bistrot The Age Good Food Guide 2009 - 1 Chefs Hat - Annie Smithers Bistrot, Kyneton - The Breakfast Blog, Saturday, May 13, 2006 chicken livers, bacon and spinach on toast. One of several tempting dishes on offer at Annie Smithers Bistrot. I love the smell of offal in the morning. 16/20 "mmm... liver" - Annie Smithers Bistrot - Mietta's good gutsy French based dishes - Annie Smithers? Bistrot - Gourmet Traveller Annie Smithers, another Stephanie Alexander alum, is consolidating her empire, a shop and bistro showcasing Central Victorian produce. Assured cooking means primary flavours shine: succulent, flaky trout almondine tastes river-fresh; sweet scallops cooked just-so are plated with discs of smoky chorizo; sweet-salty tomato Tatin is the pick of the entr�es. There?s usually offal on offer, perhaps creamy brains wrapped in prosciutto, and veal schnitzel, topped with a fried egg and anchovies, is pub-simple (and sized) but restaurant-finessed. Strawberry vacherin elevates berries and cream to a fitting conclusion to the meal: simple, comforting, classy.

Food Photos: - [/photos/avlxyz/2971617556/ Cheese Puffs] with tomato and chilli dipping sauce AUD7.50 - [/photos/avlxyz/2970775883/ insides] - [/photos/avlxyz/2970776539/ Duck Neck Sausage] stuffed with pork mince and pistachios with babybeets, green leaves and orange AUD18.50 - [/photos/avlxyz/2971620008/ Quails petit-duc] - par boned and grilled, served on pommes anna, with grilled mushrooms and madeira sauce AUD30 - [/photos/avlxyz/2970777195/ Duck fillet] with orange marmalade glaze, pan-fried potatoes AUD22.50 - [/photos/avlxyz/2970778555/ Profiteroles] filled with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with warm dark chocolate sauce AUD14.50 - [/photos/avlxyz/2970778911/ Long Black] AUD3 - Mariage Freres Tea AUD4.50

Decor Photos: - [/photos/avlxyz/2971615414/ Specials Board] - [/photos/avlxyz/2970773875/ Long Dining Table] - [/photos/avlxyz/2970774663/ Object d'Art] - [/photos/avlxyz/2971621512/ Business Card] - [/photos/avlxyz/2970779569/ back] - [/photos/avlxyz/2970780631/ Produce Store] - [/photos/avlxyz/2971623728/ A message from Stephanie]