AN authentic French restaurant, featuring a Gallic chef who has cooked for top international dignitaries, has been opened in Congleton.

L'Endroit, or The Place, is owned and run by Amanda Kirk and her Belgian husband and former head chef of the Reform in Manchester Eli Leconte.

Amongst those Eli has cooked for in the past are Bill Clinton, the King of Belgium and Francois Miterand.

The Lawton Street restaurant promises to offer a Gallic atmosphere and top class traditional French cuisine at reasonable prices.

Eli said: "L'Endroit is about fresh food for people who really enjoy the experience of a great meal."

The venue will include classical dishes with a changing menu and broad-ranging wine list.

Born to a Flanders family, the chef also has a love of beekeeping including his own hives. He also produces his own mead.

Having trained in Belgium, he went on to work at restaurants and hotels in Brussels and Paris.

He moved to England four years ago, receiving rave reviews from food critics as head chef at Reform in Manchester.

He returned to Europe in 2001 to work at restaurants in Paris and Kiev before finding his way to Congleton.

For food buffs L'Endroit has the added bonus of being able to watch the cooks in action in the kitchen from inside the restaurant.

The husband and wife team are keen to generate a cosy atmosphere with French music and some tasteful dcor.

Elie added: "The focus of L'Endriot is on fresh ingredients, correctly cooked on the premises and properly presented.

"The seasonal menu change will include specialities of game and fish and we hope the relaxed contemporary atmosphere will be greeted with enthusiasm."