The premise

It’s been over a year since my last Zomato Meet Up and this week, I attended my first Zomato Blogger’s Meet Up at Le Chef on Vulcan Lane. We dined as guests of Zomato and Le Chef though all opinions are my own. The setting was romantic, the company was delightful, and other bloggers present were: Carli from The Enthusiastic Cook, Laura from Laura Laura, Maddy from Madicattt, and Georgie from Georgieats – all of who I’ve eaten with several times.

I interviewed Le Chef owner Edouard Le Goff for my Auckland Restaurant Month series last year when they had their other branch (you can read it here) and it was great to put a name to a face (and a food to a belly). Edouard was exactly as I imagined, very French, very enthusiastic and answered all our questions with ease.

The restaurant

Le Chef is located in quiet spot on a charming, cobbled pedestrian-only lane in the city. Tucked away from the bustle of Queen Street, Le Chef channels rustic and romantic French charm. I’ve never been to France but it’s on my bucket list (of places to devour) and Le Chef feels like the next best thing.

We began with glasses of bubbles and head chef Grant Kitchen brought out a selection of entrees and mains including 2 dishes that will appear at tomorrow’s special 120 seat, long table dinner along Vulcan Lane. With a 3 course French meal, champagne, and live music all under festoon lights, tickets are $90pp. This event, called La Longue Table du Chef sold out last week so if you missed out, be prepared to snap up tickets quickly for their next event. The weather is set to be wonderful tomorrow and the menu looks enticing. Edouard assures us (as we all missed out) there will be more events, though al fresco dining requires careful planning around weather so expect any future events to appear after winter has passed.

The food

The menu is concise and well formed with 5 nibbles, 3 entrees, and 4 each of mains, sides and desserts. I rather like a smaller menu because it reads like a ‘to do list’. Stand out dishes for me were the beef short rib, the lightly cured salmon and the tartare.

The beef short rib (Faux-Fillet du Chef pour deux) is dish for two. A whooping 650 grams of beef short rib  with rustic French style vegetables to complete the meal. I would bring The Koala back just for this dish.

The tartare, made with eye fillet was beautiful with a charred egg yolk and truffle oil to add rich flavour.

The cured salmon dish was delicately flavoured, served with edamame, squid ink, topped with a piece of crispy salmon skin. It was beautifully presented and surprising.

The creme brûlée is torched table side providing some light after dinner entertainment. The portion is generous so if you’re really into creme brûlée, get your own, if not it’s great for sharing.

Le Chef is great for intimate dinners with close friends or date night. Open 7 days from 7am til midnight, Le Chef are ready for you breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I will be back for a short rib and creme brûlée combo. Dreamy. Just imagine me with love hearts for eyes.  😍😍😍

A big thank you to Zomato and Le Chef for making this possible.

For more reviews and dining out photos, check out my reviews on Zomato.