Chef and restaurateur Justin North, is adding to his hospitality empire with another city venue, across the road from his hatted restaurant Bécasse.

North and his wife Georgia will open Le Grand Café by Bécasse in the new Alliance Francaise building in late July.

“Alliance approached us to look at the site, as they thought an alliance between them and us was a good fit, and we agreed.”

The building is the last work of esteemed architect Harry Seidler- and is home to the French language and cultural centre, Alliance Francaise. The previous café at the site was closed in 2007, with several big industry players interested in the operation.

Despite being right across the road from North’s other café, Plan B, the owners don’t see any “cannibalism” occurring.

“They have very different messages. Plan B is about great burgers, which we won’t be doing at Le Grand Café. The menu there will be classic French café—with great baguettes, French cheese plates, quiches and more.”

The new café will seat approximately 50 people, but has a smaller preparation area, which North says will mean some of the prep will be done at Bécasse, but it also gives it a point of difference he claims.

The news of the new venue comes only six months after North opened his second city restaurant Etch by Bécasse at the Intercontinental Hotel on Bridge Street.

No exact details are available yet regarding opening times or senior staff.