In Geelong mid week on a sunny day it was agreed that a light lunch at Le Parisien would be a good idea. We were seated on the balcony overlooking Corio Bay - a good start. As there were not many people in the restaurant the service was prompt and attentive and wine and food orders taken quickly. It was explained that the calamari and the octopus entree serves were not large ($19 each) so two of us ordered main course sizes ($39 each). The third order was a main course of mussels ($49).
My pan fried calamari consisted of approx 8 very small pieces of calamari with a few segments of grapefruit, some rocket and a small pot of lime mayonnaise. A very ordinary dish and the size of an entree in most other restaurants. The octopus cooked in red wine was also on the small side and the presentation was very ordinary. The mussel dish was an adequate main course size but we were amazed at the price of the dish ($49) and the cream sauce was bland and uninteresting. The complimentary bowl of fries could not compensate for the small sizes and the high cost.
Not a satisfying lunch, very expensive for what was served and we left feeling that the we were definitely paying for the rent and the view.

One of those restaurants that ticks all the boxes, it has great food and authentic. The service is good and staff are pleasant. Hardly any spare tables.

This restaurant serves authentic French Cuisine and is located overlooking Geelong's fabulous Waterfront. Ideal setting for a special occasion. Staff are always well presented and knowledgeable about the menu, the service is what you would expect in a fine dining restaurant. The casualness of the dress code is noticeable but it doesn't distract from the ambience created. The food is very good but the menu needs to be changed more often.

I feel compelled to write this review in complete contradiction of the most recent reviews by others. Saturday 12th January 2013 was a significant day in my life. My wife and I were spending an overnight stay in Geelong so we booked for dinner at Le Parisien. I had read the reviews by others and almost had second thoughts. Thankfully, I chose to ignore these and went. To say that the setting is simply stunning is an understatement. We were promptly taken to probably the best table location in the whole place. Friendly and 100% attentive service from the staff combined with completely balanced timing for delivery of the entree and mains together with timely topping of the wine left me wondering how could you not be impressed? The food was superb. Expensive? Yes, but not for what was delivered together with total sevice from their wait staff. Overall, I left highly impressed with the entirely satisfying evening.