Le Grand Cafe, Sydney
It certainly has been a very long time since I went to Le Grand Café. The folks behind Le Grand Cafe also runs Becasse and Plan B which is just across the road and not to mention, Etch and Charlie and Co. Burgers.
The café is on the ground floor of the Alliance Francaise and promises ‘the very best French favourite and classics’. I do vaguely remember coming here when it first opened with my sis-in-law and we both enjoyed it.
I was catching up with an old friend, a soccer player also, V. We have known each other since university days (really showing my age here!) and I don’t think she has been here before so thought we would give it ago.
The place was busy by 12.30pm, with students and office workers from nearby. Thankfully, there were a couple of empty tables and as soon as we ordered and paid for our food on the counter, we sat down.
We didn’t have to wait for long, V ordered the quiche lorraine with salad ($8) which was served on a wooden plank. It was a relatively small serving, but it was moist, egg-y and absolutely delightful! Think V enjoyed it but she did say it was rather exy for something that ‘big’.
I opted for the salad nicoise ($12), seared and sliced real tuna on a bed of potatoes, tomatoes, beans, egg and drizzled with tasty dressing. The tuna was wonderfully cooked, tender and succulent, and I love the mixed vegetables. The potatoes were tender, but a little too much for my liking – never ending!
It’s a cute little café, the portions are quite small, but you can always have dessert, the chocolate brownie looked divine, so did the fragipane tart. I was trying to be good and was full from all the potatoes so passed on dessert.
However, we did go next door to Vella Nero – they don’t require any introduction! Owned by three girls – Gina, Vicky, and Aileen, they were voted as the ‘best coffee in Sydney’ in 2008 and I can truly see why! Not only do they serve the best coffee, but they have a pretty good lunch menu and tempting sinful desserts.
The coffee was fantastic! Smooth, aromatic and went down too easily.
Vella Nero not only sells coffee machines, and coffee beans but also specialty teas, chocolate, tableware and many more. If you haven’t been, and love coffee, then you have to try it!
GA’s rating Le Grand Café: 7 / 10
Le Grand Café
257 Clarence Street
Sydney 2000
Ph: +61 2 9267 1755
GA’s rating Vella Nero (for the coffee): 8 / 10
Vella Nero
259 Clarence Street
Sydney 2000
Ph: +61 2 9268 0755
wah lek porsi kekecilen gak kenyang! heheheh
emang rugi lek kecil… hahahaha masih lapar lagi
I love Le Grand Cafe! I agree the portions are smallish but I like to think that’s probably the way that they might have it in France with the small but tasty portions although sometimes it’s so good you just want it to keep going!
Have never been here, but have been told it’s good. I wonder if it will stick around once Becasse moves?
its not too bad, you should definitely check it out before (and if it does) move!