There's a slow but growing interest in everything French, whether it's food, culture or couture. Matthieu Foss Gallery has been exposing the city to French art, and the city's first French bistro Chez Vous opens next month, followed by a new suburban branch of French salon Jean-Claude Biguine.u00a0Kasmin Fernandesu00a0finds out how this French invasion is making a headway

Mumbai is one of the most iconic cities of the world, but the only one that does not have a French restaurant," says 30 year-old Satyen Melwani, a Mumbai-based hospitality professional, who plans to change that. A few weeks down, South Mumbai will bid goodbye to Sundance Cafe, an old dying favourite and welcome in its place Chez Vous, thanks to Melwani and his French partners -- entrepreneur Frederic Fernandez and contemporary chef Cedric Combe.


Satyen Melwani, Frederic Fernandezu00a0and Cedric Combe are bringing
Mumbai its first French restaurant to a well-loved South Mumbai venue;
Sundance Caf ufffd. Lunch is expected to draw in young professionals from
offices around the area, while dinner is expected to be an elaborate affair.
Pic/Sanjiv Valsan

In a career spanning 20 years, 33 year-old Combe, who started off when he was 13,u00a0 has worked for Michelin starred restaurants in Geneva, set up bistros, restaurants in Australia and New Zealand, and been head chef for 10 years. "The bistro will stand true to its name, which means 'at your place'," promises Melwani. The trio hope to create a warm and friendly atmosphere and serve affordable French breakfast, lunch and dinner. "The lunch menu will cater to business crowds and change every day. Dinner will be a more complete and elaborate French experience," says the 30 year-old, who has previously worked with Le Royal Meridien, Radisson Hotels, Mars Restaurants and Encore hotels. The team is chalking up an exclusive wine list of French wines and a cocktail menu with quintessential French spirits like Chartreuese, Absinthe and Pastis.