Sid at The French Cafe

When husband-and-wife team Sid and Chand Sahrawat bought The French Cafe in 2018, they took on a fine dining restaurant with 20 years of renown to its name. They were the perfect duo to make sure it remained at the same impeccable standard, as the (now former) owners of fine dining restaurant Sidart. They also currently own contemporary Indian restaurant Cassia.

Sid at The French Cafe is still an elegant oasis among the urban surroundings of Eden Terrace. The reception area and main dining room are light and airy, with large works by local artists on the walls and round pendant lights by local studio Monmouth Glass suspended in the space. The vibe is calm, the service is polished yet approachable.

Sid Sahrawat’s food is artful throughout both the a la carte and tasting menus. Flavour combinations like Hawke’s Bay lamb with curry leaf, coconut and fenugreek are fragrant evolutions of fine dining. Vegetables are just as masterfully prepared, with a full vegetarian menu available.

Sommelier Aleksandr (Alex) Shchepetkin creates an extensive and varied wine list, with a mix of local and international varieties, champagnes and a selection of Spanish sherries.

There are two private dining spaces – The French Kitchen, a high-ceilinged standalone room accessed through the restaurant's private outdoor courtyard, seats up to 32. For daytime and early evening events, it's a stunning, light-flooded space with an open kitchen counter where your meal is prepared in front of you. The cocooning, warm-toned Cellar space seats eight to 12 surrounded by the restaurant's wine collection.