32 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
Phone 0466 406 404
The motto of Creperie Le Triskel is “Arrogantly French” – it is cheekily written on their window and business cards. From what I’ve experienced at Le Triskel so far, I think it should be “Delightfully French” instead. Located in the perenially busy Hardware Lane district, Le Triskel (along with Sette Bello) is culinary breath of fresh air in sea of less than inspiring cafes and restaurants. Why? Well there seems to be an aura of authenticity, and of pride in producing something unique and good.
It is also overtly French; from the owner and staff (who all chatter away, sing and even whistle in French), to the food (galettes and crepes), reading material (French magazines – Vogue etc.), soundtrack (yes, I did hear Serge Gainsbourg crooning there at some stage), drinks (French cordials such as Grenadine and softdrinks such as Orangina) and coffee (oh yes…proper cafe au lait…in a bowl!). What is most impressive, and what we are here for though, is the food.
Galettes. Yes, the proper buckwheat type. Served as a savoury dish along with a crisp green salad. And crepes. Yes, the wheat kind. These are kept for the sweet stuff.
I chose the La Broceliandre, a buckwheat galette enveloping (literally) Swiss Gruyere cheese, bechamel sauce, mushrooms and prosciutto. The galette itself was still supple and tender, yet easy to cut with the knife. A mixed gourmet leaf salad was served in a bowl to the side, garnished with sesame seeds and a light vinegarette. Two small rounds of crispy baguette sat to the side.
The filling? Well as you can see, it was good. The cheesy nutty creaminess of the Gruyere and bechamel was a good vehicle for coating the mushrooms and salty Italian cured ham.
Dan went with the L’estivale galette – smoked salmon, ricotta and chives, topped with semi-dried tomatoes, bocconcini cheese and a wedge of lemon. He just about licked his plate clean.
I couldn’t leave without sampling their sweet crepes, and in this instance, we shared the French Chestnut puree. Oh my. The crepe was so delicate and light, it was almost as thin as a wafer. It was spread with just the right amount of sweet chestnut paste too. To be honest, this left Concorde for dead.
We went back for breakfast on another day and had the cafe au lait (in a bowl) with toasted baguette and strawberry jam. They served the toasts on a communal plate; four long batons of baguette spread generously with butter and jam. I just love dipping the bread into my milky coffee.
I like this place, even though I think they’re still finding their feet a wee bit (sometimes service can be a little scatty). But I say that in the nicest possibly way – just smile and say c’est la vie!
I’ve tried the chestnut puree crepe too and its delicious! I went to AIX Creperie at Centre Place ytd and had their orange blossom honey crepe. But the crepes there were much thicker then the one’s at Creperie Le Triskel I have realised, so are french crepes supposed to be thin or thick? haha
singapore day was great but the queue for the food was very long, my friends and I had to quere for almost 1 hr to try chicken rice and the portions was miniscule. Haha so we left with cravings for more Singapore food after that and we trooped down to Singapore Chom Chom to satisfy the cravings but the food was at Chom Chom failed to deliver, it just didn’t taste right?
Hi Felicia! Yes, both Aix and Concorde seem to do the same thicker style crepe. I’m not sure which one is the real deal, but all I can say is that I really enjoyed the lightness/thinness of Le Triskels version (especially after you have just eaten a savoury galette!). But I do love Aix and Concordes as well – probably good as a stand alone crepe.
That is a shame about both Singapore Day and Chom Chom
But after the birthday celebrations we had on Saturday, we actually took EG’s parents out to Straits Cafe in Doncaster for some Malay/Singapore goodness. Have you been there?
I haven’t been there but I just checked out their menu online and it looks good but its so far from the city. Its my 1st yr in Mel so I am still very bad with the transport here. Haha. My mum and sister are coming in late nov for a short holiday n I wanna bring them to a nice restaurant, its gonna be my treat, becoz I missed my mum’s birthday. I am thinking either The Brasserie or Nobu, if price wasn’t issue then Vue De Monde will be my first choice but since i’m on a 18 yr old kid’s budget, its impossible. I like the Brasserie becoz its French cusine but Nobu seems kinda cool too because its a famous chain of restaurant. I haven’t been to either but I hav read blog entries on both online. So I can’t decide, which would you recommend?
Hi again Felicia – Well it’s not that easy to get to Doncaster with public transport (not unless you’ve got a spare half a day up your sleeve!).
Well I haven’t been to Nobu yet, so can’t really recommend it (but I’ve heard good things). If you can’t quite afford Vue de Monde, why don’t you try Bistro Vue? It is a little cheaper, but has fantastic food and ambience. The Brasserie is also good, as is Bistro Guillaume. But I’d seriously recommend Vue – it’s wonderful.
Please please please please please please please please can we go there for lunch (or breakfast?) one day?!
At any rate, *I* will
Mellie,
Those crepes look amazing!! I had no idea there was anywhere unItalian in Hardware Lane.. will have to head there very soon. Thanks for alerting me to this place! another enjoyable read on your blog
Hey anna – oh yes, we most definitely will go for lunch (or breakfast or both
)
Hi cathy – yeah, Hardware Lane can be a little uninspiring, but I’m glad there seems to be some new life being injected into the place. Hope you enjoy it!
Ha haaargh!! terribly punny, that Shamiana review, but I did laugh. What a shocker!!
Mellie,
Do you know if they are open during the weekends??
Hey cathy – yes, I both loathe and love it
Hi d – they’re open on a Saturday for sure. I don’t think they do Sundays though.
Yes, but was it true Italian prosciutto?
Recently I asked at an upmarket deli – ‘Is that Italian prosciutto?’
The response – ‘Yes. it’s made by an Italian in Thomastown’!!
Hi Mellie, just thought I’ll let you know I went today for breakfast and loved it! I had the L’estivale galette and the chestnut crepe….couldnt leave without trying the sweet ones lol. The L’estivale was fantastic, there was a generous amount of salmon and ricotta, and I loved the crisp texture of the crepe. I must say I was a little disappointed with the chestnut crepe though….I was sort of expecting a thicker filling rather than the thinner jam-like spread. Maybe its the asian in me but the chestnut reminded me of lotus paste hehe. Nonetheless, it was a great experience, i will definitely go back again! Thanks for the recommendation!
PS I was at Melb central and saw a new Belgain waffle and creperie that would be opening soon! It’s right next to priceline where Spiga etc is. Another new place to try out soon!
Hi Bryan – but that is where the Italians are
Hey Derina – thanks for your post! Yes..the chestnut crepe is very thin, which made it oh so easy to eat after the big galette! I too was perplexed by the rather thins scrape initially, but then I was so glad it wasn’t supersized! Thanks too for the tip on the new Belgian waffle/creperie. I’ll keep my eye posted for the opening!
Traditional French crêpes are meant to be very thin and soft, whilst the galettes crispy. I hate crepe places like Aix and Choix who make thick crepes and use the same batter for both savoury and sweet. Le Triskel is pretty new and they do a pretty good job to perpetrate authentic French crêpes in Melbourne. You should try Le Petit Francais in South Yarra for more authentic crepe goodness.
Thanks for that Penelope! I’d wondered why the difference – now I know. They’re imposters!
Will try to make my way down to Le Petit Francais to try some more crepe goodness.
After I read your review on last Sunday,I went there twice (and think there must be many many times for me to return to this place, haha). Everything is so fat so good. But for me, I love their tartines, bol de cafe au lait, and sweet crepes.
I saw yesterday that they now have croissant and pain au chocolat too…wanna try so much. I think I will go there again next week!!!
Now this place is one of the most favorite places in Melbourne for me…
Glad you enjoy it Jutapha
I especially love their tartines and cafe au lait for brekky too.
I was in Melbourne last year for 7 months and have been a big fan, following your website to eat many beautiful food there…too bad at that time I haven’t start my blog yet…
Since I came to Sydney last Apr 2008, when I got a chance to go Melbourne for holiday in July, I quickly followed your posts again…
When I saw ur post about this crepe cafe, still told my friend, Jutapha, to try this cafe and she loves it…Making me wanna fly to mel now T_T
Thanks again for ur lovely blog ^ ^
Hey there Beansprout – glad you enjoy tummyrumbles and get some use out of it! Blogging is fun, huh? By the way, I’m VERY impressed with all you patisserie work! I sooo want to try some of your petits fours! Are you still in school or are you working somewhere?
Happy that u like my petits fours..hehe….Now I am still studying in the last 3 month-pratical semester..but next year I will continue to studying about management and find a job .. If you have any interesting place, please let me know
Well good luck Beansprout! I look forward to sampling some of your creations one day
Thanks for the info, I’ll be going this week. By the way, the French crepes are supposed to be thin. The first time I had them was in St. Malo in the eighties. Lovely stuff.
Try Roule Galette, at the entrance of Port Philip Arcade.
Salut,
Eric
Thanks for the tip Eric! I stood at the window at Roule Galette for about 10 minutes once, but they were so busy they didn’t serve us (or offer to take our order), and we were on a tight lunch break, so didn’t hang about. But I must try to make it there during a less busy time.
Will be interesting to see what you think of Le Triskel v Roule Galette. A friend of mine has been to both and gives snaps to Triskel. Let me know!
Update. Went to Le Triskel for lunch today, booked a table for 3 as I was assuming that it would be pretty busy.
Service was great, Micheal being an excellent host, also helps that after spending 6 years of my youth in France, I could converse with him and the staff in French.
Ordered Le Triskel, which was good. Friends ordered the Broceliandre, one without cheese and dairy (don’t ask!!) and both enjoyed their meals. Chased down with a dry cider.
Ambiance was good, they had Francis Cabrel playing.
Price wise, it was slightly more than Roule Galette, but I would assume that they would be paying much more in terms of rent.
All in all a very nice and pleasant experience, and will be going back again.
Eric
Hey Eric – ooh, sounds like you liked it!
Both Michael and Patrizia are wonderful hosts, and I must admit I do love to listen to Michaels accent (my French language skills amount to about two years of high school study).
I so want to ask about your friend without the cheese or dairy, but I’ll refrain
Yep, did like it. Had to go out for lunch again today and avoided crepes (twice in a couple of weeks is sufficient). I see that you mentioned Singapore food, and I do agree that straits cafe has pretty decent Penang food, but pricey, and the quality has dropped recently. Heard that there’s a place that serves fish head curry around Hawthorn too.
Cheers,
Eric
Hey Eric – actually I’d heard that the original owners of Straits had sold up (I haven’t been in a few months to confirm that though). Might be a reason for the decline.
For fish head curry, I’ve got a good recommendation for the one at Malaya Inn (Doncaster) from a Malay native. I’ve yet to try it, but it’s meant to be da business.
Hi EG and Mellie – The Straits are still the same owners. They’ve also got the one in Wantrina that is run by their son.
Any word on Malaya Inn?
Hi Katie – thanks for the heads up about Straits.
I haven’t tried Malaya Inn yet, though it is on the list. Certainly let me know how you find it if you make it there.