Although I’m in some part responsible for the choice, I’m delighted with the news that France-Soir, a long-time favourite French restaurant in South Yarra, Melbourne, has been named National Winner at the 1997 Tucker Seabrook Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. This win keeps the award in Victoria for a second consecutive year, following the success of Walter’s Wine Bar in 1996. Victoria maintained its position as Australia’s leading wine list state with 72 awards, 22 with the Highly Recommended rating. NSW received 66 awards, Queensland 23, while WA and SA both won 8. This year’s entrants showed a marked improvement in the pairing of wine with food themes, in design and presentation and in maintaining older lists. The total number of Highly Recommended lists increased from 47 in 1996 to 52 in 1997, well up from only 18 in 1995. National Winner France-Soir – VIC Hall of Fame Cicada – NSW (1994 winner) Dear Friends Garden Restaurant – WA (1995 winner) Walter’s Wine Bar – VIC (1996 winner) State Winners NSW Forty One Restaurant VIC France-Soir QLD The Grape Food & Wine Bar SA Universal Wine Bar WA Stephenies ACT Caffe Della Piazza TAS Fee & Me NT Raymonds Category Winners Best Restaurant France-Soir – VIC Best Small Restaurant The Grape Food & Wine Bar – QLD Best Club Restaurant University House – VIC Best Pub Restaurant Melbourne Wine Room – VIC Best Cafe/Brasserie/ Trattoria Universal Wine Bar – SA
