Woohoo, it's a warm day! I took advantage of the sunny weather to lunch at Chez Dré with a couple of mates, and we spent the afternoon chatting over a delicious meal. Voted as one of Melbourne's best cafés, Chez Dré certainly hits the spot with its comprehensive menu, which ranges from the sweet to the savoury, and also includes vegetarian-friendly options. The café was predictably bustling with activity even on a weekday, and we had to wait for twenty minutes for a table - not too bad for Melbourne's standards :-)
We requested for a table in the outdoor courtyard to enjoy the summer breeze and settled on our picks. My friend Patrick said that the coffees here weren't particularly outstanding, so you'll notice that most of us gave it a miss.
Yan went with the Duck Sandwich, which had a generous serving of confit pulled duck with onion jam, red cabbage, grated apple and truffle mayonnaise (AUD$23.50). This was HUGE - it was probably larger than Yan's face. And so tasty! The crisp bread contrasted the tender meat beautifully, while the grated apple added a fresh and sweet flavour to the sandwich. Yan was thoroughly satisfied with her choice.
Here's my favourite girl, Evelyn, ready to tuck into her lunch! Eve ordered the Glazed pork belly (AUD$21.50). Served with a jalepeno & corn polenta cake, avocado puree and poached eggs, this was perfectly done - the pork belly was juicy, tender and so flavourful. Check out the yolk, oozing out of the poached egg.
I picked the Moroccan baked eggs (AUD$18.50), which had spicy lamb sausage, mint, coriander, tahini yogurt, served with baguette slices on the side. This was wonderfully tasty and the spices were explosively good in the mouth.
Baked eggs are a no-fail option for me! I do wish that they provided more slices of bread to dip with the dish, though.
Baked eggs are a no-fail option for me! I do wish that they provided more slices of bread to dip with the dish, though.
Patrick had his heart set on the Toasted Reuben Sandwich that consists of corned beef, sauerkraut, emmental cheese and mustard, served in a little jar on the side. Note that this is weekly special, so do check if it's available when you visit.
And what meal is complete without dessert? We wrapped things up with two cakes - the Green tea, Kalamanzi, and Muscovado sugar cake, and the Hazelnut-Praline crunch (AUD$9.50). Both of them were smooth and rich, and almost melts in your mouth.
My favourite would definitely have to be the Hazelnut-Praline cake, hands down. I have a weakness for cakes with a biscuit base, and not only does the hazelnut cake have that, it also has a crunchy texture, thanks to the hazelnut crunch atop it. Yum!
My favourite would definitely have to be the Hazelnut-Praline cake, hands down. I have a weakness for cakes with a biscuit base, and not only does the hazelnut cake have that, it also has a crunchy texture, thanks to the hazelnut crunch atop it. Yum!
All in all, it was a hearty meal and we unanimously agreed that we would be back. Big thumbs up for great quality and well-portioned food!
Chez Dré
285 - 287 Coventry St,
South Melbourne VIC 3205
Tel: 03 9690 2655
Mon - Sun: 7.30AM - 4.30PM
285 - 287 Coventry St,
South Melbourne VIC 3205
Tel: 03 9690 2655
Mon - Sun: 7.30AM - 4.30PM
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