LE CAFÉ DU VILLAGE

            “The Golden Rule of Culinary Art [which is] always present in a Chef’s mind is to cook what he likes and to get others to share his likings.  Cuisine is a matter for the heart!”  This quite Gaullist philosophy, quoted from the menu, sums up the formula, which has kept Le Café du Village alive for over 8 years.  What lies behind the parking lot on the street side is a surprisingly pleasant porch/patio area shaded by over-hanging flowering vines, and a nostalgic feel of a wharf-side café with fishing and sail-cruise boats moored alongside.  I was reminded of the quaint cafes on St. Barthelemy, in the Caribbean in the ‘80s.

            The dinner menu choices are basic French café, such as Salade Nicoise, Soupe de Poisson (fish soup, not poison!), Oysters on the half shell, Steaks with classic cream sauce choices, Garlic Prawns, Crepes, Chocolate Mousse, Crème Brulee, etc.  There are also Black board specials.  Dishes are somewhat pricier than in other restaurants of this genre.  Soups: 990vt, Salad/Entrees: 850-1350vt, Crepes/Pastas: 1750-2000vt, Fish, Chicken and most Meats: 2100-2150vt, Exotics like Lobster: 2995vt, 12 Oysters: 1950vt, Garlic Prawns: 2800, and Duck 2850.  Desserts: mostly 950-1000vt.  They do not have cocktails (!), but do have, of course, a wine list.

Before Christophe Rodot joined his parents here, he ran 21 restaurants, which were part of a French café chain in Australia. Later the parents moved to Santos leaving the management to their son. We noted the influence of his Australian experience.  The Duck a l’Orange and the Fisherman’s Plate arrived so quickly, we were caught by surprise!  A table of 4 next to us was also served quite quickly on a moderately busy evening.  Surprising also were the attentive servers whisking away empty plates, asking after our needs, appearing with Chocolate Mousse and Crème Brulee, and asking again after our needs; from the veteran, Christian (30 yrs in restaurant service) to the new trainee from the Hotelry School, all were smiling and personable. Chef Kiki (8 yrs w/ LCdV) personally came to inquire whether the meal had been satisfactory, which it had.  We were told that the Chefs often come out to meet the diners and ask after their opinions.  We were also told that tourists often return to dine again during their holiday, and indeed, there were repeat customers that evening.  

Christophe’s latest news is the launching of the “QE III”, a mobile floating private dining salon.  Complete with Captain, and a musician to serenade either an intimate romantic dinner for two or a gathering of 10, the thatched covered boat cruises the calm waters of the bay like a private “Ile Flottante”.

Open from 8:30am for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Le Café du Village is a pleasant little place to escape from town without even having to leave it. Phone:  27789.