Chez Lulu Crepe Bar / Creperie Bondi Junction NSW
Cafe of the Month June 2009
Bondi Junction, French Cafe Creperie Coffee Shop, Organic & Gluten Free Crepes
Address: 24 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction
NSW 2022
Phone: (02) 9386 5771
Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 7am—5pm, Thursday-Sunday: 7am —late. Dinner on Monday-Wednesdays may be available if booked in advance.
In the heart of Bondi Junction, opposite the Leagues Club and nestled between a convenience store and an Indian diner you’ll find Sydney’s vibrant new crepery, Chez Lulu.
Outside the 378 bus collects passengers headed for Bronte, but once inside
the streamlined chocolate and cream décor welcomes with a warmth
that’s hard to resist.
Chez Lulu is Sydney’s first traditional crepery which sells galettes
(savory crepes). Unlike a sweet crepe, a galette is made from gluten free
buckwheat. Chez Lulu uses organic buckwheat and makes them to traditional
French pancake recipes.
My dining partner and I decided to share our choices. With much indecision
I finally chose the Savoyarde and he chose the Mont St Michel.
The Savoyarde arrived quickly. The first thing I noticed was the symmetry
of the carefully served crepe – an ‘X’ of asparagus spears
sitting over strips of proscuitto and melted cheese. Then out came the
Mont St Michel. Salmon and capers wrapped in a galette and dotted with
black and red caviar. We tucked in.
The only sounds from my dining partner for the first five minutes were
something like, “mm. MMmm. MMMM. Mm” in rapturous approval,
and I wasn’t far behind. Each crepe came with a salad and was enough
to satisfy, yet left plenty of room for dessert for the hungrier of us.
Thank goodness!
We studied the crepe list eagerly. If I’d thought the indecision
of earlier was drawn out, this was monumental! To have something with chocolate
or not? With fruit or jam? Chestnut or honey? In the end I chose the Belle
Helene (poached pear in chocolate sauce) while my dining partner went for
the Grand Marnier, but I’d recommend coming back a few times to try
them all.
I watched as my crepe was made in the front of the café for passers-by
to see. Chocolate sauce was expertly drizzled over the top with a wooden
spoon and a few practiced flicks of a wrist.
As for the Grand Marnier crepe, the aroma of the citrus almost preceded
the arrival of the crepe itself, and disappeared just as quickly as the
Belle Helene.
Our friendly hostess Cellia told us they are as happy for people to come
in for dessert and coffee later at night as they are to serve a breakfast
gallette (Chez Lulu opens at 7am).
Chez Lulu opened in March 2009 with the idea of creating something uniquely
and authentically French yet with affordable everyday fare. They have found
a steady clientele in the many French expats and travelers who have told
them their chestnut crepes and their galettes are very difficult to find elsewhere.
Chez Lulu is French without leaning on the stereotype, but just by being
themselves. And that was the pièce de résistance.
- text by Jane Louise / pics by Stewart Dawes
Subscribe
Receive alerts to new reviews and special offers in your inbox.
Cafe or Restaurant owner?
Subscribe to our Hospitality Alerts Newsletter for special promotional opportunities.
