Chez Gaston by Rendez-vous — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

More bistro-like than a restaurant. Menu is straightforward traditional french. Nothing inventive, complex or complicated. A nice change from the places that attempt nouvelle cuisine and fail.

We had the Escargots to share. It was alright. A little under seasoned though.

I had the Foie Gras as my entrée. It was good. Typical of the kind. The accompanying Gardenia-type 'pan de mie' toast bread was a disappointing surprise.

For my main meal, I had the Confit de Canard (Duck cooked in its own fat) only because the Gigot d'agneau (Lamb Shank) and Boeuf Bourguignon were not available due to a sourcing issue. Most restaurants would have alternative sourcing especially when these items were marked as popular choices on the menu. I suppose it wasn't as popular as they made it out to be, or just poor restaurant management.

Anyway, the duck was ok. Tender and moist with a crispy skin as how it should be. However, the accompanying sauteed vegetables with bacon (potatoes, mushrooms and bacon) were a little less discerning. I would have preferred for the vegetables to be cooked individually to retain their distinct flavours instead of being cooked together. Better yet, mashed potatoes instead of sauteed potatoes to counter the fried duck, and steamed carrots instead of sauteed mushrooms. Mushrooms absorb liquids and fats easily and that did not go too well for this dish. The bacon didnt seem necessary as well. It just added more fat to a dish that already tasted quite fatty to begin with. Nonetheless, I ate everything to some degree of satisfaction.

Desert was Mousse au chocolat (Chocolate Mousse). Standard fare but some parts of the mousse had siezed. This usually happens when the eggs used were a little too cold and not fully at ambient temperature. The desert was rich and dense done the French way (no added cream, like the Americans). Comfort in a small glass, it did the job.

We had a bottle of red wine from Bordeaux. My first choice, the Saint Emillon, was not available so we had the Haute Médoc instead. It was good. Can't really go terribly wrong with a Bordeaux. Any Bordeaux.

Service was nice. Friendly and attentive. Being a Tuesday night, the restaurant was not busy. The French bosses of the restaurant would usually be at hand to help and ensure smooth service but they were absent last night. Not a busy night.

Overall, my experience last night at Chez Gaston was somewhat good. Not as good as how I remember it over the many times I have been a customer. This diamond in the rough seems to be losing its potential.

A major drawback for me was the non-availability of several items on their menu. Nearly half of the red meat options unavailable. There were plenty of other items on the menu of course (fish, white meat and poultry, vegetarian) but I wanted red meat. A steak wasn't going to cut it, so I had to settled for the duck.

I will still return to Chez Gaston but it will be with less enthusiasm. Prices have crept up a little but that's kinda expected given the post pandemic situation.

Parking, as always, is a small nightmare. Take a Grab or taxi instead otherwise you'll have to patiently make several passes around the restaurant to...

Who knew a taste of Paris could be found in Jalan Bangsar 9? Chez Gaston by rendez-vous surprised me with its delightful French fare at such friendly prices. The cozy bistro atmosphere, complete with soothing music and warm lighting, instantly transported me. I opted for the classic Salade de Fromage as the starter. This dish was a symphony of textures and flavors. The bed of fresh greens was refreshing and it pairs well with the honey mustard vignette & walnuts. The accompaniments are equally impressive- a slice of crispy baguette top with melted Taleggio cheese dazzled with honey. It was clear the cheese selection was carefully curated, offering a delightful taste. This salad was the perfect way to whet my appetite for the main course without feeling overly full. The main course that I selected was the classic Bouef Bourguignon, and it did not disappoint! The beef was fall-off-the-bone tender, simmered in a rich and flavorful wine sauce. The portion size was perfect, leaving room for their decadent dessert the Apple Tatin. The caramelised apple was cooked to perfection. It melts in your bite. The pastry crust is crispy and warm to eat. I am satisfied with my birthday dinner at the restaurant. Lastly, I ordered a glass of cocktail Negroni. It was a perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and boozy. The gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth played together beautifully, creating a complex and satisfying drink. For the price, the quality of food & drink was outstanding. The staff - Thed and Ton were attentive and friendly, adding to the overall charm. This place is a hidden gem perfect for a casual date night or catching up with friends over good food and conversation....

Chez Gaston is a French restaurant that I knew from social media. Even if it takes more than an hour to get there, I still want to come. The owner is committed to allowing Malaysians to enjoy the charm of French cuisine with top-notch cooking at an affordable price.

The restaurant's decoration is very leisurely and chill. You can even see them hanging up decorations for the Chinese New Year. At the entrance, you can see the Malaysian and French flags, which symbolize the owner's love for Malaysia and the collision and fusion of French cuisine with Malaysian culture.

If you like French snails and are tired of the decline in the cooking skills of snails in the old Western restaurants in Malaysia that you have encountered before, then Chez Gaston is definitely a restaurant worth visiting. This is an appetizer that I order every time, and it is this French snail that makes me passionate about coming here. Their cooking method is very authentic French snail cooking method, from the clever combination of garlic and snails to the combination of crispy French bread, it is the best French snail I have eaten in Malaysia.

My girlfriend and I love the duck legs the most. The crispy skin, the balance control between the salty and fresh meat are fantastic. The side dishes are a pleasant contrast to the greasiness of the meat. It is definitely a dish that will make you fall in love with French cuisine.

The conclusion is that apart from the lack of renovation and sanitation of the toilets, Chez Gaston is a French restaurant worth visiting once in...