“When COVID-19 first hit, that was a very difficult time for us emotionally. I think everybody was hit in the face with that,” Alena says. "Thank goodness 2020 is gone. We have closed the door on that year."
Their new venture L’HERITAGE is a French bistro that was originally scheduled to open in March 2020. However, soon after taking the keys in January last year, the coronavirus pandemic hit. The lockdown and social distancing restrictions that followed stalled renovations for many months.
Alena is standing in the private dining room of the newly refurbished French bistro at Chowder Bay, on Sydney’s Middle Head. The room, part of a former 1890’s army drill hall, is now decorated tastefully with French artworks and antiques.
Finally completed late last year, the makeover including a new kitchen compliant with local regulations has set them back financially.
Alena Reyrolles at L'HERITAGE. Source: SBS Sandra Fulloon
“Just shy of half a million dollars, for the entire thing,” Alena says. “That is well over double what we had initially thought of when we walked in the door and fell into the charm of this building.”
The windows look over the crystal waters of Clifton Gardens beach, and the views stretch across the harbour to Vaucluse.
“Everything has been poured into this now. All of our savings, all of our love, everything's had to go into this. Absolutely all our energy!”
Alena and Pierre married in Sydney. Source: Supplied
Since meeting in Paris, the couple has worked together in hospitality. Together they ran two busy French brasseries in Saint Germain en Laye, west of Paris.
“It was a beautiful historic town. It's where the king actually lived in the castle before they built Versailles. And our first brasserie was in his old quarters and they had tunnels underground, leading directly into the king's chambers. We ran that together for two years,” Alena says.
Then in 2012, Alena and Pierre decided to bring their love of French food to Sydney later opening a café called Frenchy’s, in bushland on Middle Head.
The restaurant's signature seafood soup bouillabaisse. Source: SBS Sandra Fulloon
Their new restaurant is a partnership with long time friend and Paris trained chef Julien Audibert-Lebon.
But even their grand opening last December did not go to plan.
“The day we opened, at 7 am, we had no electricity or water in the kitchen. And at noon we had our first customer. It was John Howard, the former Prime Minister.
“So that was a little bit of pressure, but in hospitality everyone works well under pressure.”
Former Prime Minister John Howard was one of Alena's first customers. Source: Supplied
Their menu is packed with the usual French favourites, steak frites, duck a’lorange, home made pate, and escargots.
But the seafood soup or bouillabaisse is the signature dish.
“I try to bring French traditional dishes, but changed a little with my touch,” chef Audibert-Lebon says.
Alena’s mum Tori could not be more proud of their new venture.
Chef Julien Audibert-Lebon trained in France. Source: SBS Sandra Fulloon
“I am absolutely thrilled to see Ali and Pierre here doing what they do, and bringing it to Australia. Good on them!”
Alena is relieved to be busy and prospering, at last.
“As bad as 2020 was, 2021 has turned out to be much better than we could ever have expected.
“We’ve had so much local support with repeat customers and people coming in and absolutely loving it.
“Starting a new business is always a little bit scary, but it's actually been a really great experience.
“And I think that there are many things that we'd like to talk about going forward. Exciting new adventures.”
