LEGO® Icons has become an interesting theme filled with a mixture of different sets covering an array of subjects. The Icons theme is also home to several sub-themes, these collections include modular buildings, festive creations, vehicles and retro reimagining. This set introduces another new collection dubbed Restaurants of the World. The first set being released under this banner is the French Café and here’s a closer look at it.
Product Details
Set Name: French Café | Set Number: 10362 | Pieces: 1101 | Theme: Icons
Number of Bags: Bags x 9 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Characters: N/A | RRP: £69.99/$79.99/79.99€/129.99AUD/99.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores & LEGO Online from March 1st
Restaurants come in all shapes and sizes and can be found in many different places around the world. But some reflect their locations. For example, Italy would conjure up images of a fine-dining pasta restaurant, America a Barbecue Smokehouse, and Japan a Sushi restaurant. That connection of restaurant and location pairs France with a small café.
The set’s concept appears to be something that can be displayed. It has an unusual footprint of an 8 x 32 base. Despite the cramped foundations, the set is packed with interesting building techniques. For the base, columns of arch bricks of varying types are used to create the cobblestone street around the café. The rest of the external detailing is added towards the end of the build.
The focus of the set is most definitely the facade of the café. There is an extremely limited flash of interior tightly packed into the gap inside the set. This includes a till point and table. Perhaps it would have made a little more sense to feature a display of patisseries. But most of the inside area is located behind the door. So the choice of a till and table was the best option due to the space.
One of the most impressive aspects of the set has to be the ornate details it employs. There are numerous techniques used to create unique angles, shapes and tiny details which combine to create a quaint-looking building. I quite like the mix of colours used for the building’s brickwork and other exterior details. All the elements with additional detail such as the windows, shutters and signage are printed pieces. If stickers were used for the transparent pieces, it would have ruined the set’s appearance. However, I would say that it lacks a roof, and the edging of the top section of the building feels a little more Mexican than French.
As you can see from the back of the set, it has been designed to sit on a shelf, as a unique brick-built display. It’s difficult to ponder who the set is aimed at. The use of slightly more advanced build techniques does mean the set could be a nice bridge for those looking to build something a little more advanced without being overwhelmed with a 4000+ build. I’d be interested to see the collection expand, as further sets would enhance this one and create a unique displayable collection. The LEGO Icons French Café will be available from March 1st.
Coming Soon: UKIrelandUSCanadaMexicoGermanyFranceDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz.com for review purposes. The thoughts expressed in this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of it.
