A new French inspired bakery meets wine bar is now open on Little Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD; where Michelin-trained pastry chef Alex Charasse has opened the doors to a second small business.
Enter inside, and the olfactory nerve is wooed by the buttery layers of freshly baked croissants – some piped with fresh chocolate, while the macarons stand in colourful unison in the pastry display cabinet -freshly baked each day.
The Axil coffee hits the spot too, with a barista who knows the importance of making a good cup, while imported French goods and wines are also available for purchase too. This is old-school cosmopolitan French cafe meets Melbourne cool; decked in modern timber finishes, with the option to sit on couches or at communal tables.
From salmon bagels and toasted ham and cheese croissants for daytime lunch options – affordably well-priced and delicious, to French sodas imported for a fizzy point of difference, Charasse’s French heritage is nuanced throughout Almost French Epicure; an ode to his motherland, but optimistically set to the pulse of Melbourne’s diverse food scene.
There’s something certainly nostalgic about this French addition to the top end of Little Collins; a few steps away from the leafy Paris end of Melbourne on Collins Street; where couturiers and luxury watchmakers work away and where luxury fashion houses and famous Australian photographers like Wolfang Sievers once lived – a cosmopolitan end of town that brought Europe to the streets of Melbourne. It’s also where the world famous fashion photographer Helmut Newton once worked from his studio at the top end of Flinders Lane.
Charasse’s training has taken him from Le Clos d’Or to the three Michelin-starred Le TroisGros, while roles at luxury hotels and cruise lines saw him bake for former U.S. Presidents and Saudi Arabian royalty.
When he arrived in Melbourne in 2009, he was drawn to the city’s foodie scene, with a desire to open his own business one day. He worked on pastry programs at Vue de Monde, The Windsor and Grossi Florentino and helped drive the sweet narrative at the Australian Open too.
But of course, his dream was to open his own place. There’s Cremorne [where the bulk of the baking happens and is transported to the city location], while training other aspiring pastry chefs to follow in his French steps is what he’s also happy to do, all while offering a hands-on practical guide through the very complex and patient mindset required when crafting pastries every day.
This delightful lunch-time meets wine and dine with a charcuterie board option in the CBD is a welcomed arrival – located alongside the Sheraton Little Collins [but not part of it] and next to the iconic Bar Lourinha next door. It’s a bustling top end of town; and one that now brings a French chef’s kiss to the Spring Street end.
“The space offered the perfect opportunity to bring together all things French in a new concept: a bakery combined with a wine bar,” says Alex Charasse of opening Almost French Epicure.
“We want to create a welcoming space where people can meet over coffee and pastries or a glass of wine with cheese and charcuterie. It is a place for meaningful conversations, where guests feel invited to linger. Ultimately, we aim to build a community that enjoys the pleasures of life as much as we do,” he says.
Almost French Epicure serves French viennoiserie, cakes and savoury items including baguette sandwiches, quiches and pies.
“Our wine, cheese and charcuterie selection blends traditional French, Australian and international offerings, rotating seasonally. This month, in celebration of Easter, look out for our Hot Cross Buns and a special Easter Bunny Danish,” says Charasse.
Alex Charasse spoke to The Write Drop for our AT The Bar series.
MY CITY
Melbourne feels like a European home away from home. It has everything: the culture, the food, the vibes. Each suburb is like a village with its own quirks and tightly knit communities. The diversity of its population makes every day a new adventure.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
A quince millefeuille from Philippe Mouchel when he had his restaurant at 401 St Kilda Road.
FAVOURITE BAR
Siglo: whiskey and cigar. The big wooden door at street level, the climb up the stairs and the rooftop terrace next to the Princess Theatre overlooking Parliament House – it transports you straight to the heart of Montmartre.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
Old Fashioned: traditional values, precise movements and classic attire in a modern setting.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Drink whatever you drank last before going to bed… if you remember!
OVERSEAS BAR
The Raffles Bar in Singapore.
FAVOURITE WINE
Chateau Cos D’Estournel from the region of Saint-Estephe.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Tarrawarra in the Yarra Valley: fantastic wines, amazing food and incredible views.
A FAVOURITE PASTRY
Millefeuille. It is simple, yet when done perfectly, it is extraordinary – like the chef’s version of making a perfect
omelette.
https://almostfrenchepicure.com.au/
