Le Chien Cafe

LOCATION
Close to the corner of Charles Street. A short walk from Middle Footscray or Seddon train station.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
A bustling cafe in the heart of Seddon, Le Chien is well known for its great coffee, tasty food and bohemian atmosphere. A bright mural across one wall tells you Iggy Pop wants to be your dog. Simple bench-style seating and large open windows also give this stylish cafe a light and breezy, easygoing vibe. Weekends see this place packed with diners spilling out the door and onto the footpath tables to enjoy all-day breakfast, toasted pides or lunchtime specials such as confit duck leg with Puy lentils and bacon, or cauliflower and haloumi fritters. For breakfast, the Welsh rarebit or the house special of Promite toast topped with poached eggs, tomato and avocado is the name of the game, and if a wee serve of Cumberland sausage or black pudding takes your fancy, Le Chien can help with that too.

This cafe’s daytime popularity has led the owners to also open for dinner five nights a week, with a European inspired small plate menu with some Scottish influences thrown in. Enjoy seared scallops and black pudding on garlicky mash, classic steak tartare, crispy-skinned pork belly or lamb cutlets with ras el hanout and a watermelon, Persian fetta and mint salad. Desserts include creme brulee and a soft-centred chocolate pudding served with double cream. The small list of Australian and French wines is well chosen and reasonably priced, with some also available by the glass. By day or by night, this small and welcoming little cafe is embraced by Seddon’s regulars as a local treasure.

Angela Costanzo