[T2DMan]

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Contact Details:
210 Symonds Street
Central Auckland CBD
ph. 0-9-377 1911

[Ms Vile File]

Despite the name, the cuisine is not especially French, but the service certainly was. How charming to know one doesn’t have to go all the way to France to get authentically rude French service. C'est magnifique!

Maitre´d and co-owner of The French Cafe, Creghan Molloy Wright, did not seem overly pleased when my Dining Companion and I turned up for lunch, sans reservation. She punished our audacity by giving us the table nearest the toilets. This rather set the tone for the afternoon.

Ms Molloy Wright enquired as to whether we had chosen our wine yet – my dining companion, The Doctor, said ‘champagne’, and started thumbing the wine list. “Oh, the Deutz” interjected Ms Molloy Wright, wryly. Oh, excusez-moi? Deutz happens to be the cheapest sparkling wine on The French Cafe menu. How simply marvellous! Making one's customers know you think they are cheap and ignorant is so ineffably French, n’est-ce pas? We thought we’d play along, and thus ordered the Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut Champagne, to prove how utterly vulgar and nouveau-riche we are.

The Bluff Oyster entree was very good, despite the brief verbal scuffle wherein we were rigorously interrogated on how many oysters we actually wanted. My main course of Roasted Crayfish Tail was overpowered by the carrot puree, which was as cloyingly sweet as an Anne Geddes Valentine’s Day card. However, by all accounts, The Doctor’s Pink Roasted Lamb with Spiced Eggplant, was a veritable gorgeous island in an ocean of gorgeousness.

The Dessert Tasting Plate for Two was first-rate, and very generous, with five different desserts to sample. The Creme Brulee and Iced Chocolate Souffle were divine. The Panna Cotta languished virtually untouched, due to its complete lack of any discernable flavour.

Ms Molloy Wright enquired as whether we wished to order anything else. I informed her that I couldn’t possibly squeeze in anything else without risk of exploding. At this, she looked like she rather wished I would, and had our plates and glasses swiftly cleared away.




Given that we had made clear we would order nothing else, and were left with only water glasses on the table, one might have expected the bill to arrive. Our Dear Maitre’d charged past our table many times, managing to avoid eye-contact. After ten minutes, I resorted to flagging her down like a taxi. In all, attempts to procure a bill and pay took almost 20 minutes.

On departure, I rather expected a courteous au revoir, but non. We were left to wander from the restaurant, free from such courtesies. C'est la vie.

Total: $285.50 for two (including wine)

Rating: B-
Overall, the food was excellent, and worthy of The French Cafe's much lauded reputation. The service was not.

http://www.vilefile.blogspot.com

[domestic goddess]

Fantastic experiance of flavours and fine cuts. The service was excellent and at the same time a bit of an overkill. The lady of the house was very polite, happy and engaging. We would dine there everynight if we could get in. From the decor to the dinning wares, everything far surpassed our expectations and tastebuds. Thank you so much for a wonderful evening. The bill in excess of $400.00 for 2, but who cares!!!