Auburn’s Room 21 relaunches as French-inspired restaurant with frog legs, rabbit and French desserts

Images supplied

Chef Lenny Giri cooks without a recipe book, instead he focuses on the love, touch and taste of food to inspire and create dishes in his kitchen.

His cooking is shaped by decades of experience and his career has seen him move from French and Modern Australian to Mediterranean and other international cuisines.

Now he’s set to bring another Strange Concept restaurant to Auburn, in a spot locals may be very familiar with, Room 21.

The historic venue, now known as Strange Concept Auburn, is located in what Lenny calls the “Paris end of the valley.” Set inside Auburn Garden Suites, the restored 1872 former general store had built a following as a cosy café, providore and wine bar serving coffee, scones, simple lunches and local wines.

Now, the Auburn favourite is entering a new chapter, with Lenny bringing an international-inspired cuisine and local produce-led approach to the Clare Valley venue.

The relaunch officially took place on July 10, bringing a new dining scene, with the menu featuring everything from signature crêpes, escargot and onion soup to beef bourguignon, rabbit, frog legs, grilled quail and classic French desserts.

Lenny said all produce is sourced locally, like the use of Teresa Taylor’s saltbush from Clare Valley, a key ingredient in the kitchen.

The new offering shifts throughout the week. Wednesdays bring curry and skewers night, while Thursdays and Fridays lean into Lenny’s French direction with a dedicated French menu.

French dishes include escargots, chicken liver pâté, baked brie, boeuf bourguignon, duck à l’orange, bouillabaisse, crème brûlée and crêpe suzette. Sundays take on a more traditional country feel with roast lunches, giving the venue a different vibe for each day of the week.

Of course breakfast and main menu options will also be available each day on top of the specials. Chef Lenny knows how to include the unexpected across the menu, from Peking duck spring rolls and pork and chive dumplings to Clare Valley butcher chorizo and mushroom risotto, there’s a surprise for everyone.

Whether your there for the snails or Sunday roast, Lenny invites everyone in to come and say hi as strangers but depart as friends.

Strange Concept Auburn
Where: 21 Main N Rd, Auburn SA 5451
When: now open
For more info, click here.