Chez Pascal French Restaurant — Restaurant in Sydney

A Strange Feeling of Déjà vu

In summary, spotty service, below average food, above average prices and a rude chef.

Last Saturday night I went to Chez Pascal with my extended family, we were a party of eight. It was to celebrate my wife’s birthday. Also, we are not unfamiliar with Chez Pascal as we used to religiously go to the old restaurant to celebrate our Dad’s birthday.

As the night unfolded, I had a strange feeling of déjà vu. It was not the décor being similar to the old restaurant from 20 years ago nor was it Philippe in the Kitchen. It was the last episode of Gordan Ramsay which I had seen several nights ago. Here it was unfolding in front of my eyes. Unfortunately, the camera crew did not burst in. Too funny except we were paying.

I will just list observations and say no more: The most recent Google reviews are positive but seem to have staged photos of food and an empty establishment. Food in the pictures differed from the night. The menu on the web site is out of date and understates the cost of meals. The table service was very spotty. It took ages to get anyone to take a soft drink order for those not drinking alcohol and we are still waiting for our third serving of bread requested multiple times. Meals for the group were not served at a similar time. My entree was at least 15 minutes later than the first entree. The seasonal white asparagus tasted like the bottled white asparagus available at Aldi. It definitely was not fresh. The garlic snails did not taste like garlic. It was more a pesto like flavour which no one at the table liked so half went back to the kitchen. We ordered 3 different meals between us that contained scallops. The scallops were frozen stock not fresh. I think they were taken straight from the freezer as not one scallop served to the table was cooked in the centre. They all had that gelatinous cold centre. My sister suffered from food poisoning later that night. My son and I both ordered rack of lamb. Both ordered it medium rare. Mine came out totally overdone; not an inkling of pink anywhere. My son’s was cold and rare in the centre. He had to send it back to have it cooked more. No apology. It was my wife’s birthday, she had not order any desert so they put a candle in my desert and gave it to her. AND HERE IS WHAT TIPPED ME OVER THE EDGE. After the birthday person routine, Philippe asked who sent the rack of lamb back to the kitchen. Instead of apologising he berated my son for ordering medium rare as that is not French. Funny his staff took the medium rare order. Also the issue was not that it was not medium rare, it was not even...

Nestled in the heart of culinary elegance, Chez Pascal emerges as a gem that offers a truly remarkable French dining experience. Under the expert guidance of Chef Philippe, the restaurant has earned its reputation not only for its exquisite cuisine but also for delivering outstanding value for money. Chez Pascal welcomes guests with its warm, intimate atmosphere, blending sophisticated decor with subtle nods to traditional French elegance. Whether you’re seeking a romantic evening or a family dinner, the ambiance sets the stage for an unforgettable meal. Chef Philippe's artistry in the kitchen is nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish is a testament to his dedication to authenticity and innovation. The flavours are layered, refined, and undeniably French. Chez Pascal stands out for its exceptional value for money. The portions are generous, and the culinary experience feels luxurious without being exorbitantly priced. Seasonal tasting menus and special offers further enhance the value, making fine dining accessible to a wider audience. The staff at Chez Pascal complement the culinary brilliance with impeccable service. Attentive without being intrusive, they ensure every guest feels pampered and catered to. Chef Philippe himself often takes time to greet diners, adding a personal touch that elevates the experience even further. Chez Pascal French Restaurant is not just a place to eat—it’s a destination for savouring the art of French gastronomy. Chef Philippe’s skilful creations, combined with the restaurant's welcoming ambiance and remarkable affordability, make it a must-visit for anyone who appreciates exceptional food and heartfelt hospitality. Whether you’re a connoisseur of French cuisine or a curious first-timer, Chez Pascal promises a dining experience that lingers long in memory and tantalizes you to return. Truly, this is a culinary treasure that deserves every accolade it receives. BTW I love BYO! Take advantage and pair your foods...

Took my mother here for her birthday a few days ago as she has been wanting to come here for years and years.

The bread that arrived with different spreads was lovely and warm and fresh. Our waitress didn’t know that much about the menu when I asked her specific questions and she was referring to a piece of paper from her pocket. Sadly she didn’t even go and ask to get the answers from other staff. A bit disappointing but maybe she was in training.

For entree we ordered Escargot and the Confit Tomato. Mum didn’t love the snails. She said they were so garlic on flavour that’s all she could taste sadly and it repeated on her at night.

I have the tomato salad with goats cheese. I love goats cheese but there was just too much of it if I’m honest. I didn’t eat half and scarped it off.

For main mum order the prawn and scallop gratin which she enjoyed and I ordered the beef cheek with mash which was perfection and melt in your mouth goodness.

However, I am disappointing there are no side dishes you can order with your meals. Like some green beans or broccolini or something. Just beef cheek with mash is quite rich. It needs something to break it up.

Dessert was a let down. The chocolate pudding and the lemon tart. Lemon tart is my fav items to get from any French menu and I couldn’t eat it. I felt it was quite gelatinous and the base was very dry and pale. The pudding was very floury and dense.

I am glad we came and had the experience. The palette cleansing lemon sorbet was a sweet touch. The yellow roses as we left were a delicate and unexpected addition. The chef was really sweet coming out on numerous occasions to say hello and see how we were doing.

Mum was happy she experienced it however we probably won’t come back. Nothing left us wanting more which is a shame as we like supporting...