delicious.100: Main Ridge’s Petit Tracteur is one of Victoria’s best restaurants.

IN a year when we fell in love with French food, Petit Tracteur reminds us about all that’s good about French classics served in bucolic surrounds.

The salmon gravlax at Petit Tracteur. Pictures: Jason Sammon.

IN a year when we fell in love — again — with all that’s good about French food, Petit Tracteur (from the 10 Minutes by Tractor team down the road) arrived to remind us about all that’s good about French bistro classics served in bucolic surrounds.

It could be something as simple as the steak — blushingly pink entrecote served with good bearnaise and great pommes frites — or as rustic as the farmhouse terrine that’s dense and satisfyingly meaty, and winning the crowds over.

Herb-crusted lamb rump.

Tarte tatin.

It could be other well-executed classics: the crisp skinned duck a l’orange, perhaps, or the deep sticky richness of red wine-braised beef, but it’s probably the tarte tatin that has the Peninsula most aflutter.

Bread hot from the oven highlights thoughtfulness in the kitchen, service (with an authentic accent or two) is efficiently friendly while the glorious chardonnay and pinot-focused list — including the great estate wines — has Oz and international interest at all levels.

Must eat dish: tarte tatin

PETIT TRACTEUR

1208 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Main Ridge

Ph: 5989 2510

petittracteur.com.au

Cuisine: French

Chefs: Stuart Bell, Caleb Stevens

Price: $$ (between $41 and $80 a person for two courses, food only)

Bookings: yes

Open: Thu-Mon noon-2.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-late

This review was originally published in the 2016 edition of the delicious.100 where it was ranked the 88th best restaurant in Victoria.