Hawthorn, home to the hustle and bustle of shops and heaps of cafes in the area, Le Clec sits nestled away. It looks super small but there’s a huge courtyard at the back with more seating with french inspired brunch dishes on for show, I could not wait to check out their new menu.
The interior is just the cutest with a very warm environment. The staff are super duper friendly and welcomes you as you enter the cafe.
Now, if you love tea like I do, you definitely need to get the cold brewed perfume. It’s fragrant, it’s fresh and it was just oh so delish. Oh, did I mention it was also very pretty to look at?
Perfume (Cold brewed) – $4.50
Combining Rosebuds, China Jasmine, Lime and Honey
For watermelon lovers out there, the frappe is AMAZEBALL! It was very fruity and the mint gave it a nice hint.
Iced Watermelon Frappe – $7
Mint and Lemon Juice
The Dragon Breath was very oolong-y and I couldn’t really taste the apple juice. I much prefer the perfume over the Dragon Breath.
Dragon Breath (Cold Brew) – $4.50
Combining Milky Oolong and Apple Juice
The ice coffee was approved by Mr D. He thought it was FANTABULOUS! It was very strong in coffee but it wasn’t bitter and the ice cream gave it a nice sweetness but was not overly sweet.
Ice Coffee – $7
With Ice cream and ice cubes
One of the signature dishes at Le Clec is the sweet potato rosti and and boy oh boy, it is clear why this was a signature. The field mushrooms coupled with the porcini crumb, WOWSER! It was a touch salty due to the haloumi but that didn’t deter me at all.
Sweet Potato Rosti – $17
Confit field mushroom, mint pea puree, poached egg, porcini crumb, grilled haloumi
Mr D was in love with the beef ribs. It was so tender that it fell off the bone, it was a touch sweet and a lot beefy, just the way he likes it. That salad? It complemented the beef oh so well.
Coconut-Palm Sugar Beef Ribs – $19
Charred Corn Salad, Nahm Jim Dressing
The seafood linguine had prawn bisque, crispy salmon skin and truffle oil which sounds pretty impressive. However, we found that it needed more seasoning and more flavour.
Seafood Linguine – $22
Prawn Bisque, parmesan cheese, crispy salmon skin, truffle oil
My gosh, when the grapefruit cured salmon came it, it was beautiful. The colours, the plating, just everything. Yes, it even tasted as good as it looks. Very refreshing with hints of subtle flavours infused in the salmon.
Ruby Grapefruit Cured Salmon – $19
Wakame cucumber, basil mayo, goat curd, smoked pickled beetroot, puffed wild rice, brioche crisp, poached egg
Deep fried soft boiled egg with smoked ham hock? Yes please! It was definitely yolk porn and it was very meaty so look away vegetarians and vegans.
Son-in-law Benedict – $17.50
Deep fried soft boil egg, smoked ham hock, tamarind glaze, hollandaise, fried shallot, sourdough
Moving on to the salads, the grain salad is a must with it’s 63 degrees egg with vincotto dressing, you will definitely be full. It was bursting with colour and flavour and it did not disappoint.
Grain Salad – $15
63˚C egg, quinoa, freekeh, farro casava crisp, vincotto dressing
Those who loves a refreshing salad that’s light as well, the green salad is definitely for you.
Green Salad – $14
Raw broccoli, green kale, buckwheat, avocado, pistachios, mustard dressing
Fries were absolutely crunchy with the perfect amount of seasoning.
Fries
Finally, for the sweet tooths out there, the toasted brioche was TOTES AMAZEBALLS! It was sweet, it was crispy it was chocolately it was just heaven. Definitely a recommended dish if you drop by.
Toasted Brioche – $16
Yuzu curd, soft crisp meringue, orange maple, whipped chocolate ganache
The new menu at Le Clec is something you guys definitely need to check out. I’d definitely return for the service and more importantly, the toasted brioche and the sweet potato rosti.
Disclaimer: I was honoured to be invited to dine by Le Clec and all opinions expressed are my own.
727 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
Tel: (03) 8658 3520
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