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2015-01-31
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When friends come to my flat in Happy Valley for the first time, they usually ask me what's good to eat here. I always reply, not much. There are ok places but nothing worth recommending to anyone to make that trip in. Until now.Recently, a French bistro opened down the street from where I live. It's painted in antique red with curtains up so you really can't see what's inside. But every time I walk by on my way home, I wonder what the deal was? And oddly, there were always people inside. Day an
Recently, a French bistro opened down the street from where I live. It's painted in antique red with curtains up so you really can't see what's inside. But every time I walk by on my way home, I wonder what the deal was? And oddly, there were always people inside. Day and night, they had customers. This, dear readers, is a rarity in Happy Valley because when the sun goes down, most of the restaurants here grow quiet.
From local media, it appeared the chef is Laurent Brouard, former catering chef to Chez Patrick. From their official website, they describe it as a goal to bring good honest food to all just like his grandfather in Paris.
I arrived for lunch and was greeted with a bonjour from the waiter. There are only three people working there. Two waiters and the chef. The restaurant is small but every little detail is so French. Just like the bistros in France. Especially the little hidden ones that aren't in the tourist areas. The ones that are owned by a small family who work hard to make you a real French meal. Every detail is there, right down to the French music they played. I felt like I was in the film, Amelie from Montmartre. Especially when the one of the waiters and the chef started to sing in French as they placed napkins and glassware.
One end is a deli area.There the chef cooks away, places his finished meals on the counter and says "Service!" They also do take away here.
Very serious knife for cutting meat. Love the checkered napkin.
They have a regular menu and an decent wine list. However, like most French bistros, they have the daily special (plats du jour) on a black chalkboard that they bring to you and place on a chair for you to decide. Menu is all in English or French. If you are not sure what it is, the staff are eager to explain. They do have one Cantonese speaking waiter.As it was my first time here, I wanted to try the plats du jour of duck breast in truffle sauce and French onion soup. First time here ... gotta start with the classics. They do ask if you want bottled water, but you can request regular tap water.
Bread basket. A bread basket was presented to me of sliced baguettes. The bagettes were wonderfully crusty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. I didn't use the butter but used it to mop up the sauce. It mopped up wonderfully.
bread basket
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onion soup
$78
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duck breast with truffle sauce
$238
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The latte itself was served with a pretty good caramel macaroon. It wasn't overly sweet and just the right pairing with a very strong French roasted coffee. It didn't need latte art. This wasn't here for pretty looking cups of coffee. This was just an honest, down to earth, cup of coffee. Nothing more. Nothing less.
latte
$35
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Note: there is no 10% service charge. And no lunch or dinner sets. Prices are fairly decent with generous portions. Most main dishes under $200 with appetizers and dessert under $100.
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