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CHEZ WILLIES
It’s Wednesday evening. It’s quarter to eight. The room is full of happy chatter and
clinking stemware. There is much cheek
kissing, hand shaking, and exclaims of greetings. Suddenly, from one corner, a chorus of “Happy Birthday” breaks out,
and with a grand flourish, a birthday cake full of sparklers is presented to
the honored guest. This is Chez Willies
only a few weeks after its debut. Our
Host is Lesley, an apparently well-regarded figure of the Port Vila restaurant
scene for over 20 years. The crisp,
sweeping dining room is starkly modern in contrasting black and white. The bi-lingual menu, with its extensive
choice of European inspired charcutries, carpaccios, and classic offerings such
as Salad Nicoise, Steak Tartare, Carre of Lamb, Veal Entrecote, Calamari and
two kinds of Garlic Prawns, is aimed toward those who expect “fine
dining”. And expect to pay more.
(Entrees: 1250-1950vt, Mains: 1550-2450vt, Lobster-3000vt, Desserts 850-1050). Lesley recommended for us Antipasto plate of
diverse Charcutries, Carpaccio Meli-Melo (fish-prawn), followed by Herb-seared
Poulet Fish and Prawns and Tournedos of Beef w/ Black peppercorn sauce. The house-made terrine was quite
authentically French. The lemon-basil brought out the sweetness of the
prawns. The fish was perfectly seasoned
and just-done, the beef, cooked through as ordered was made special by the
peppery cream sauce.
Lesley proudly told us that since
opening, they’ve served about fifty meals every evening. Ben, a friend from the restaurant circuit
who was lured to Chez Willies as Head waiter/Trainer to oversee the service
staff, confided that requests were so insistent that they now open Wed-Fri for
Lunch from 11:00 to 1:00, as well as for dinner every evening except Sunday. Striving ever to please, Lesley and his all
ni-Vanuatu staff encourage helpful suggestions. Our only comment is to try to reduce the reverberation of noise,
as it got quite loud at times.
From what we could see, it seems that
Port Vila’s diners are excited about Chez Willies. Is it only the novelty, or will it endure? Only time will tell, but for the moment, we
recommend calling to reserve your table!
Tel: 24424. Located on the
hill before the turn-off to Le Lagon.
bravenet.com
