AsiaLIFE

Hidden away in the courtyard of the French Cultural Centre (CCF), Café du Centre forms a lovely green haven just off Monivong Boulevard on Street 184. Set next to a lush, green garden, the languid and quiet ambience attracts a varied, if predominantly francophone, crowd. Groups of local students prepare for their French classes across the road while NGO workers from nearby offices sit across from the odd tourist.

Run by the local NGO Mith Samlanh, the café serves a variety of salads and crepes for around US$5, some Khmer dishes, as well as fresh fruit juices (US$2). The menu is in French, which can prove problematic, but staff also speak English and are happy to translate. Make sure you don’t miss the all-you-can-eat US$5 BBQ buffet and salad lunch from noon to 2pm on Fridays. Begun in January, this regular treat is great value for money and offers appealing, hygienic and fresh food despite the smorgasbord format.

The dishes served change weekly. Starters include baguette, mixed salad, potato salad and taro spring rolls. The salads were particularly tasty with a choice of two salad dressings, while the potato salad was filling without having too much mayonnaise. Mains included kebabs, chicken curry and rice. With a choice of beef, chicken, pork and vegetable kebabs, there was something for all. The choice was slightly more limited for vegetarians, albeit it with unlimited helpings of veggie kebabs - featuring grilled vegetables and not fake meat. The dessert was a mix of ripe local fruit, ready peeled, though after several helpings from the buffet most of our party were unable to indulge in the afters.

Café du Centre also serves continental style breakfasts, such as omelette with bacon (US$2) and toast with jam and butter (US$1.50). There is room for improvement on the coffee side though, as the café au lait (US$1.75) was small, and initially came with cold milk on the side. The café is a lovely, secluded spot in which to relax and get away from the bustle of the city. It also offers a chance for you to make use of your all-but-lost French language skills as you decipher the menu, and support a good cause.

Café du Centre, 218 Street 184, Open 8am-9pm.