Category Archives: French

Le Café De Paris

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***** (5 stars)

Café De Paris provides one of the more authentic French experiences in town. Sandwiches just like you’d get in Paris, and they have excellent croissants and coffee. The savory crepes are about the best I’ve had.

Now newly expanded, there is plenty of seating indoors and out. When the weather is nice, it’s pleasant to eat on the sidewalk, an authentic Paris sidewalk cafe experience, and it’s even away from the street, so it’s better than that!

The owners are very hands-on, which is reflected in the food and service.

Le Café De Paris
5170 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 293-2326
http://www.yelp.com/biz/le-caf%C3%A9-de-paris-orlando-2

Meet in Paris

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**** (4 stars)

A very authentic French bistro in a charming neighborhood. Great for outdoor dining, a bit bustling inside. Many varieties of mussel preparation, a house specialty, with great flavors. The tomato tart is unique and delicious. Authentic dijon dressing on the salad, crusty French bread. Superb assortment of authentic cheeses, no so superb assortment of wines. Fabulous creme brulee with a wonderfully caramelized crust. Reasonably priced.

Meet in Paris
9727 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 815-8222
http://www.yelp.com/biz/meet-in-paris-culver-city

My French Cafe

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***** (5 stars)

This is it, Orlandoans! At last we have a truly authentic patisserie just like you’d find in Paris. In fact, on my first visit, I was accompanied by a friend who just flew in from Paris, and we both pronounced the croissants here to be “the real deal.” Light, almost empty, with a multi-layered flaky crust that threatens to explode in your fingertips.

The plain croissant is indistinguishable from the Parisian version, and the chocolate croissant might even be a bit better than the best “pain au chocolate” I’ve had in France.

The baguette is authentic, but might have a bit sturdier crust than would make a good sandwich; I’m certainly going to check that out on my next visit.

Service was friendly but seemed inexperienced, and it’s definitely an “order at the counter, bus your own table” kind of place.

I can’t speak to the sandwiches, soups and salads yet, but it’s about time Orlando had a spectacular place for breakfast pastry, and THIS IS IT!

My French Cafe
7782 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 347-8945
http://www.yelp.com/biz/my-french-cafe-windermere

Creperie Saint Germain

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**** (4 stars)

This is a very authentic creperie. That is to say, it is French. So don’t expect to find American-style overstuffed crepes that resemble burritos. The crepes here are thin, light, and filled with mostly excellent savory or sweet items. The salad is also extremely authentic, with a Dijon vinaigrette you don’t see many places in the US. I was not particularly impressed with the onion soup, but I like mine with a touch of sweetness, so that’s just me. Cozy, cafe ambiance, and some outdoor sidewalk dining available as well. Owned by the same people as Bistro Bordeaux, a few blocks away.

Creperie Saint Germain
1512 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 859-2647
http://www.yelp.com/biz/creperie-saint-germain-evanston

Chef’s Station

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**** (4 stars)

I love the outdoor ambiance of this place on a nice evening, although inside is cozy and pleasant, too. Service is great: professional yet friendly. It’s a good sign when I see the same personnel year after year. The food is really top notch, and I feel under-appreciated, as this is a much better meal than at Oceanique, and it’s actually even more French than that place. One of the best upscale dining experiences in Evanston for sure.

Chef’s Station
915 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 570-9821
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chefs-station-evanston

Les Nomades

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*** (3 stars)

Not one of my favorites in Chicago. Service is stuffy and controlling, the pacing of dinner is too fast, and there isn’t a knockout dish on the menu. The decor is nice, and I suppose it’s a good place to impress a date or business associate, but there is better French food to be had in the Chicago area. Restaurant Michael in Winnetka, for example, offers a better meal at half the price.

Les Nomades
222 E Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 649-9010
http://www.yelp.com/biz/les-nomades-chicago

Guy Savoy

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** (2 stars)

This three star Michelin chef’s restaurant cemented my opinion of Michelin ratings: that they’re a good indicator of price, but not quality. This meal cost more than double the comparable meal at the best restaurant in the US, 11 Madison Park. Quality: variable. The first three courses (of 13) were solid 9s, but after that they all, categorically, devolved into less than 5 on a scale of 10. It’s not really worth reporting them here, because they change frequently. But why would you ruin a piece of nice salmon by freezing it on dry ice? The wine paring was top notch, though. This would be a distant last of all the fine dining experiences during our week in Vegas. It pales in comparison to l’Atelier.

Guy Savoy
3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 731-7286
http://www.yelp.com/biz/guy-savoy-las-vegas-2

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon

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***** (5 stars)

We’ve been to l’Atelier in New York, London and Las Vegas, and it’s one of our favorite restaurants. Designed a bit like a sushi bar, the best tables place you at a counter facing into the kitchen, where a half dozen chef’s efficiently and quietly prepare your meal as you watch. Across the counter from you, your dedicate server acts as a friendly and knowledgeable host. We had the tasting menu, ten or so small plates with a half dozen matching wines. Everything was superb, but the knockouts for me were: all the breads, the little pizza-like thing with a quail egg and bacon on it, and the partially smoked salmon. We loved the foie gras parfait amuse bouche. We’ve also been to the more formal Joel Robuchon next door, but it is stuffy and the food seems less interesting than at l’Atelier.

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
3799 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 891-7358
http://www.yelp.com/biz/l-atelier-de-joel-robuchon-las-vegas-4

Picasso

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***** (5 stars)

I’d been to this restaurant before and wasn’t that impressed with the food, but this time it was a home run. Two of us had the Menu Degustation, while one had the Prix Fixe. That was problably the best best, as the snapper, in particular, was deliciously seasoned and perfectly cooked. The highlight of the five-course degustation was probably the foie gras, although it was all excellent.

Picasso
3600 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 693-8105
http://www.yelp.com/biz/picasso-las-vegas