LEGO Creator 10243: Parisian Restaurant Review.

Firstly, I’d like to give a big thanks to Tan Tile for allowing me to start posting reviews on Oz Brick Nation. Being my first review, I thought I’d choose something nice and easy, but, when 10243 Parisian Restaurant turned up for my birthday a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to build and review it first. 

Set Number: 10243

Theme: Creator Expert

Set Name: Parisian Restaurant

Part Count: 2469

Minifigures: 5

Australian RRP: $249.99

Featuring: Scooter, kitchen, dumpster, pull down bed, artist's studio, fireplace, plenty of food, and much more...



Build Time: Approx. 4-5 hours

Since 2007, LEGO have released a Modular Building every year, starting with 10182 Café Corner. I first started collecting modular buildings a couple of years ago, starting with 10211 Grand Emporium, and I’ve now got all of them, except for the first two (10182 Café Corner and 10185 Green Grocer), both of which are now extremely rare and require a bank loan to purchase! 

The quality and detail of the modular buildings has gotten better with each release, and the Parisian Restaurant is no exception. It is absolutely stunning.

The first thing you will notice looking at the completed set is the use of rare olive green parts as the main building colour, as well as the “earth blue” roof. 

Box Contents

Bags numbered 1-4, 3 instruction manuals. Bags 1 & 2 build the base and bottom story (Restaurant and Kitchen), Bag 3 builds the second level (apartment) and upstairs al fresco dining area, Bag 4 builds the top floor (artist studio) and roof. 

No sticker sheet! All tiles / bricks are printed, as per other modular buildings (with the exception of the movie posters on the Palace Cinema)

New Parts

Scooter, Round Shield (waiter’s tray)

Minifigures

Female, Male, Waiter, Artist, Chef. 

Each are new for this set, and follow the modular building format of standard smiley facial expression

The Build

Bags 1 & 2 are used for the first instruction booklet, and build the bottom floor of the Parisian Restaurant. The floor of the restaurant, kitchen and lower al fresco dining areas are all tiled, and included studs here and there for minifigures to be secured to, rather than standing loose on tiles. It is a very basic, but thoughtful idea by the designer. 

The bottom floor contains a small outdoor al fresco dining area at the front of the restaurant, and inside dining area with two tables, and a kitchen. 

The kitchen contains a wash up area, food preparation area, fridge, stove and oven.

At the rear of the restaurant we fins a garbage can, rat and rubbish dumpster (turns out Chef Albert's a bit wasteful - he's thrown a couple of sausages and cherries in the dumpster). 

Bag 3 is used for the second instruction booklet, and builds the second story. There is an outdoor al fresco dining area on part of the second floor, and an apartment. The apartment contains a fold out bed, arm chair, fire place and kitchenette.

Bag 4 is used for the final instruction booklet, and builds the top story and roof. The top story contains an artist’s studio, complete with an easel, and a fireplace. 

I've seen some interesting choices of pieces in the past for architectural details, but the white croissants and clams on the top facade are a whole new level of bizarre, but, they work really well.

Overall, this would have to be the best of the modular buildings yet, with some very clever building techniques, and beautiful colour scheme for the building. It fits in well with the rest of the modular building them, and is an absolute must have for any LEGO fan.

PS: Stay tuned to find out if she says yes!

PPS: LEGO minifigs can't kneel!

Thanks for taking the time to read my review of the Parisian Restaurant!

Until next time, Au Revoir, this is Chris signing out!