Che Bon Restaurant — Restaurant in Ballina

I came with my family to have dinner at 7:40pm today 13th November 2018. As we were going thru the menu at the front, waiting to be seated, a waiter approached us ready to welcome us but another waiter (probably senior waiter) stood few inches from us and motioned to her that they are not taking any more customers, without even the courtsey of addressing us directly. I find that rude and insulting and not up to standard in any way, shape or form. The junior waiter had to shamefully tell us that they are not taking any more customers AT 7:40PM!!! If it's not because I'm of African origin, I cannot fathom another reason why such treatment should be meted out to me and my family.

ENTRY MADE AFTER THE REPLY BY CHE BON OWNER So I make a submission on the appalling treatment meted out to my family and I on the 13th of November 2018 by the waiters at Che Bon Restaurant, only to receive a reply from the owner explaining that their actions as due to the fact that they were extremely busy and that I didn’t book ahead. The owner went ahead to write that the service wouldn’t have been the quality they would have wish(ed) for me, excusing their staff as being very busy and as such couldn’t come to me.

I find this reply even more insulting. If we were told straight up that there were no free tables, we would have made the decision ourselves on whether to leave or wait for a table to be free. We would have even considered the option of getting take-away. The fact that a waiter approached us to start a conversation voided the excuse made by the written reply. She was not too busy to approach us. The same waiter was cut short by another staff who motioned to her in the negative without the decency of addressing us directly. Neither the waiter who approached us nor the one who signaled to her gave the reason that they were extremely busy, or there were no free tables. The communication they passed was that we were not welcome there. They didn’t even have the decency to suggest other dinner places we could go to.

This was the first day of our first holiday in Ballina and yes, we didn’t make any prior booking. Once we checked into our hotel room, we googled dining option and Che Bon popped up. We decided to give it a try because of the information on google maps describing it as “cosy, casual and good for groups”. There was no mention that prior booking is needed for service.

We won’t bother making a 2nd visit, even on a quieter or quietest night. Our first visit and the reply we got thereafter have said it all. Whatever great service they would have provided has been voided by poor and insensitive communication as well as a terrible customer appreciation. That is why I still wonder (going by the great positive reviews I read about the place), if there’s any other reason why my experience should be different other than my...

We recently had the privilege of dining at Che Bon, a French restaurant tucked away in the charming town of Ballina, and it was an experience that transcended the ordinary. From the moment we walked in, we were enveloped in an atmosphere reminiscent of a quaint Parisian bistro, complete with the warm, inviting ambiance that is so quintessentially French.

The food at Che Bon is a celebration of French gastronomy. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared with the freshest ingredients, and the menu is a delightful fusion of traditional French staples and innovative culinary explorations. The Steak au Poivre was a revelation, the beef tender and succulent, bathed in a rich, peppery sauce that was a symphony of flavors. The Stuffed Peppers, a vibrant medley of bell peppers filled with a savory stuffing, were cooked to perfection, each ingredient retaining its unique flavor while contributing to the overall harmony of the dish.

However, the standout was the Seafood Platter. This dish, featuring fresh Prawns and Mussels, was an extraordinary experience. The seafood was fresh and succulent, the accompanying sauces aromatic and flavorful, and the presentation was simply stunning. It was, in essence, a taste of the French seaside served on a platter.

The service at Che Bon was equally impressive. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, striking the perfect balance. They were knowledgeable about the menu, offering insightful recommendations that enhanced our dining experience. Their passion for their work was evident in their attention to detail, from the beautifully set tables to the perfectly timed course transitions.

To conclude the meal, we indulged in the Crème Brûlée. This classic French dessert was a delight, with a perfectly caramelized top giving way to a creamy, vanilla-infused custard. It was a sweet ending to a truly memorable meal.

In conclusion, Che Bon is a must-try in the heart of Ballina. It offers an authentic French dining experience, complete with excellent food and extraordinary service. Whether you're a lover of French cuisine or simply a food enthusiast looking for a memorable dining experience, Che Bon is a must-visit....

This little French restaurant in Ballina is so so good, the moment we walked through the doors of the che bon it had this amazing vibe, it was super homely. You could tell it was a family run business, first of all it was 11:30am we came here for lunch however that was not going to stop me from having a lychee martini! I had the pulled beef bun, it was full of flavour it had Swiss cheese on it also with a side of salad , my partner had the ham and pickle baguette with a side of salad, the waiter said we must try the home Made fries, they where hands down the best chips iv ever had and the vegan aioli is next level. We shared the grand mothers crème brûlée, it was not overly sweet like I have had in the past it was well balanced! My partner looks at me with his puppy dog eyes and said let come here for dinner, so we booked for 7:30, we walked into the restaurant it was busy and still had an amazing vibe, we had 6 fresh oysters to share, now dinner menus are 2 course or 3 course, We got the two course at first we had the duck pâté it was so amazing, second entree was the escargot it was so yummy full of butter garlic and parsley!

For the mains I chose the steak it was cooked to perfection and it was good quality beef! The mushroom sauce was so yummy! My partner choose the duck confit it was quiet nice, the gravy was quite a unique taste with orange through it. It also was delicious. The waiter came over and said any more space.we couldn’t say no. The food was so amazing that we had to have another dessert we had the the mocha Grenache it was rich was good to share! What this chef is doing should not be missed. There is also a little shop inside to that sells French stuff most of its home made like pate, James, wines and lots more. Support this family run business it’s amazing! There home made salad dressing is fantastic we ended up buying a bottle to take back to Melbourne with us :-) can not wait to come...