Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON went to a pretty park at Kingston Foreshore and there, amid the ducks, swans and water birds, was a food van offering authentic French crêpes, galettes and waffles.

Hot, lazy days. Loads of sun and, in many parks, mature trees offering plenty of shade.

Instead of dining at a café or restaurant one weekend, gather family and friends, and head to a local park to enjoy some of the capital’s famous food vans. 

Many offer tables and chairs but we grabbed our portable ones – in case all others were taken – to enjoy a gorgeous weekend afternoon. 

Our passion for authentic French crêpes, galettes and waffles led us to the small but pretty Norgrove Park, in Kingston, with its walkways and waterways. It’s always so peaceful to sit, relax and enjoy the ducks, swans and water birds of the foreshore bopping about.

But back to the food vans.

Le Petit Breton, owned by chef Bruno Paressant, was on site early and it wasn’t long before we were lining up for savoury galettes. After a substantial break (and more wine in the sun) we lined up once more for sweet French crêpes. Très délicieux.

The galettes are a generous size and packed with quality ingredients so they’re excellent value ($15 to $20).

One of my all-time faves is the smoked salmon galette, with beautifully ripe cherry tomatoes, creamy avo, a smooth hollandaise sauce and cheeky cheese. I added fresh, vibrant baby spinach for an extra $3. What a great combo of flavours.

With mild peri-peri sauce, the shredded chicken galette didn’t disappoint. It’s created in that tiny van by Bruno with mushroom, baby spinach and cheese (add tomato for an extra $3). 

Equally rewarding was the roasted capsicum with goat’s cheese, rocket and pine nuts. This galette features a heavenly balsamic dressing drizzled on top and you can add smoked salmon or chicken for $4. A classic ham, cheese and tomato galette is also on the menu.

Le Petit Breton is also popular for its sweet crêpes, with nine variations available. Oh-la-la, the mango-passionfruit coulis crepe is decadent, all the more so with bits of broken, crunchy meringue ($14). 

A classic is the simple lemon and sugar ($9) and we also tucked into the homegrown apricot crêpe ($14), a true flavor bomb. The apricots are cooked with love in honey and rosemary and the crêpe sprinkled with slightly sweet and nutty pistachios.

The van by Zierholz, the fresh beer company, arrived during our visit, offering live music, beer, wine, meat and cheese boards, kranskys and the like. We’ve also spotted Brazbecue with its Brazilian barbecue, adding spice to life with slow-cooked meats that are memorably melt-in-the-mouth. Jarochos Mexican also travels around.

Social media lists where food vans appear. They rotate regularly and also set up in places such as Black Mountain Peninsula, Bowen Park and Hassett Park.