A little Swiss Cafe…

I have one of the more relaxing weekends for awhile this week… no morning plans, nothing to rush to, or anything urgent to do… it was pure bliss!  I think the formula is not to have any morning plans … somehow it eases you very nicely into the weekend!

However, when else are you going to do everything that you could not do during the weekends?  Sometimes, the days and weeks feel like we are running from errand to errand, doesn’t it?  I had a fun errand yesterday though – to pick up my wedding dress and research more into bridesmaid dresses!  On the way, I brought Mum and E to this little Swiss Cafe in Leederville called Francois (www.francois.com.au).

Pistachio and Chocolate Mousse ($5.30)

 They have one of the most impressive display of little cakes.  Each piece is full of vibrant colour, looking at it just makes you want to stare at it, yet you want to taste it, and yet you can’t bear to eat this piece of art. 

Desserts are supposed to be visually appealing as well as mouth watering.   One without the other defeats the purpose of what a dessert is meant to be.  On a side note, I have discovered that one must be in the best of moods to set foot into the kitchen.  A dessert needs to be lovingly prepared, with joy and ease and patience.  Your dessert doesn’t tell a lie.   

This Pistachio and Chocolate Mousse cake had a nice gentle hint of Pistachio in the green layer and a firm but soft chocolate mousse layer, ending with a chocolate sponge base set in a thin layer of milk chocolate.  The fresh piece of pistachio nut completes the dessert.  Not too sweet, and easy on the palette.  A lovely dessert for a Saturday afternoon!

Francois Cafe

The owners of Francois have set up their cafe very cosily, with big mirrors and brown furniture, and little touches like their nicely stacked home made jams and chocolates.  It was so cute to see two little girls taking pictures of the yummy goodies in the cafe. 

Almond Croissant ($3.60)

 My Mum loves almond croissants, so whenever we see one, we try it!  This almond croissant is quite different to your traditional types – it was flaky, very buttery and melts in your mouth.  Unlike the ones we usually see at the shops, it is not doughy, but is more like a very very rich puff pastry.  There is a layer of almond paste filling inside that compliments the pastry, it’s lovely in taste, but I dare not think of what my hips think about it!  Haha! :)

Chunky Beef Pie with Vegetables

This pastry was lovely!  It is a softer short crust, rich and tasty!  However, the meat was tough and there wasn’t that much of it, there were more peas and carrots inside   (A would be pleased to know I ate it! – I have never liked peas and carrots from young!)

I love having tea at cafes where they serve it in teapots and cups (I suspect this is why they often cost as much, if not more, than coffee!), this cafe added a special touch.  See the little strainer holder, held by a little figurine?  Although not very stable, it was definitely a nice touch to the tea set.

I think it needed a bit more of an atmosphere though – I’m not sure whether it is because of its location, or whether there was too many glass windows, or perhaps a lack of background music, it seemed to lack the buzz that one enjoys in a cafe.

All in all, it was quite a cute cafe!  The service was good – they were cheery and were quick to serve and take away the used plates.  There’s always the added touch when the owner is present and running the cafe.  The added sincerity, the extra care is what sets one place apart from the other.  It was refreshing to receive a hint of the old fashioned service, where you are greeted with smiles and ”goodbyes” when a customer leaves.  Something that is missing in the commercialised cafes these days.