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It's just been named Auckland's top restaurant - now the French Cafe has found itself playing a small part in one of Australia's biggest sexual harassment cases.
Public relations manager Vivienne Dye is suing former employer Commonwealth Bank for A$1.25 million ($1.5m) after alleging senior executive Angus Patterson pestered her for sex and division head Michael Blomfield groped her. In her statement she mentioned a meal with Patterson at a French fine dining restaurant during a business trip to Auckland in June 2006. Her lawyer Peter Rochfort confirmed it was the French Cafe, on Symonds St.
Dye said Patterson started pestering her before they left Sydney, asking her if he could take his sex toys. She said she ignored the comment but later checked that the pair would have separate rooms in Auckland.
Dye said she told Patterson she was excited about the trip but added: "I wanted to be absolutely clear that there would be no obligation on my behalf to sleep with him." She said Patterson agreed, but then asked again if he could take his sex toys.
The statement made no mention of sexual harassment at the French Cafe, but Dye claimed Patterson made her pay on her credit card so his bosses didn't find out what the meal cost.
The French Cafe, voted Auckland's restaurant of the year by Metro, refused to comment. A staff member said there was "no way we would ever comment on anything to do with our guests".
Dye alleged Patterson's behaviour started two weeks earlier, when he walked her to her Sydney apartment. She said he carried her into her bedroom, threw her on the bed and "wriggled out of his pants" before her protests made him leave.
After the Auckland visit, Dye began a new role, reporting to Blomfield, whom she described as a "rock star executive". She claimed he tried to hug and kiss her while walking her home from after work drinks.
The case has gripped Sydney, with Dye going to New York amid rumours she had also left her previous employer Vodafone with a large payout after making similar claims.
Rochfort told the Herald on Sunday such suggestions were "rubbish".
Patterson and Blomfield have left the Commonwealth Bank, but their former employer has denied it was because of Dye's complaint.
