Chez Dre, South Melbourne

I recently had the pleasure of lunching at Chez Dre, a French influenced café in South Melbourne. Chez Dre has built a good reputation for its gorgeous patisserie treats and its French-inspired breakfast and lunch dishes.

Chez Dre is a bustling place; you have to wait at the gate to be seated by the concierge:

There are both indoor and outdoor tables available.  Inside, as well as tables for individual groups, there are a couple of large wooden communal dining tables, which is where I was seated:
 

Service was prompt once I had settled in.  I started with my usual skinny flat white:

and this one did not let me down.

For lunch, I ordered the spiced lamb jaffle ($16.50):
 

 

 

It comprised brioche, pine nuts, labneh, a fried egg, pickled red onion, parsley, rocket and sumac salad:

The jaffle was delicious, with beautiful runny egg yolk providing a tasty sauce for the rest of the dish. It was very hearty and hit the spot nicely.

However, for me, the star at Chez Dre and the drawcard that brought me here is the gorgeous French-inspired patisserie:

I chose the sacher torte:

Instead of ganache-coated sponge cake, this torte was chocolate mousse and apricot gelee on a chocolate sponge base, and topped with a small slice of fresh apricot, gold leaf and a white chocolate curl: 

It was, needless to say, delicious!

I would definitely go back to Chez Dre, at least for their gorgeous cakes.

Chez Dre

285-287 Coventry Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205

Ph: (03) 9690 2688