Peachy Picks Bistro Vendome
Peachy Deegan thought she had fabulous french food before, but now she KNOWS she's had it because she's eaten at Bistro Vendome. In the running to be one of her most favorite places ever, Bistro Vendome is a hidden secret at 405 East 58th Street. The cuisine is outstanding. The atmosphere is lovely. And owners Virginie and Chef Pascal Petiteau are total class. Good thing they went out to O'Flanagan's that night and met each other ages ago...
Bistro Vendome was first featured in Terrific Takeout:
Did you know that takeout could be that fabulous? You know now.
Since she absolutely loved those Mussels Provencale, Peachy ordered the Escargots, above, served with that same garlic and parsley butter. Now if you are not sure if you like snails, the answer is you absolutely do if you are eating THESE at Bistro Vendome. And the sauce is outstanding. Peachy consumed every last drop with the toasty bread, and she rarely engages in this kind of behavior, but if you sampled this sauce you would too.
The Dover Sole Meuniere in a symphony of butter and lemon sauce was a total delight. Flaky and tender, the sole had soul! One of the best fish in recent memory, this fish boasted extraordinary flavor akin to mainly seafood specialty joints, not French bistros, except if you are at the FABULOUS Bistro Vendome, that is. The side of spinach sauteed is highly recommended as well.
Not an empty table could be found at Bistro Vendome, so the secret must be getting out. And in the good weather, about 18 to 20 people can eat outside on their deck which looks amazing. Anthony Ortiz and Emmanuel Cabane were terribly gracious all night and it would be hard to beat the overall Bistro Vendome experience. The apple tart was perfect for All-American Peachy, however she absolutely was in love with the chocolate cake as well. One of the coolest things about Bistro Vendome, and there is a long list of cool things, is the delightful Muscadet from the Loire Valley-Nantes- they serve because it is by the family of Chef Pascal Petiteau. Domaine de la Pinardiere 2009 is produced by Pascal's cousin, as Pascal's dad retired...the family name is Olivier, Pascal's mom's maiden name.
Don't only listen to Peachy though! She brought her esteemed panel:
Dining out at Bistro Vendome was one of the best nights out I have had in a long time. I could tell the experience would be a pleasurable one as soon as I walked in the door. The staff was so warm and friendly from the moment they welcomed us and brought us to our table. The exceptional service truly enhanced what turned out to be a phenomenal meal. Dinner started off with a basket of warm, soft bread and smooth creamy butter. The bread was crisp and crunchy on the outside - the perfect texture. It was so good in fact, we had to ask for more! After the bread, I tried the Endive & Green Beans Salad.
The greens were so fresh and crisp and were accompanied by tender mushrooms and crunchy walnuts. The salad was topped with a delicious, tangy walnut dressing. Mouthwatering would be an understatement! After the salad, I was treated to to the fantastic Free Range Breast of Chicken.
The chicken breast was so juicy and tender, and the whole thing was smothered in a garlic jus that is to die for! Along with the chicken came the smoothest, creamiest mashed potatoes I've ever tasted. Mashed potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes, and these brought my definition of mashed potatoes to a whole new level! I should know because I am Irish...Finally, we finished our meal off by sharing a trio of unforgettable desserts! We ordered the Apple Tart, the Nutella Napoleon, and the Chocolate Fondant.
It is hard to say which one was my favorite since they were all so amazing! If I was forced to make a choice though, I might have to pick the Nutella Napoleon. It was unlike any dessert I have ever tried before. The dessert consisted of layers of light, flakey pastry and a sweet, smooth Nutella cream filling. It was a dream dessert come true! Bistro Vendome is the perfect place to come for great service and outstanding food for any occasion. I highly recommend adding it to the top of your list of must-try NYC restaurants.
Bistro Vendome is a hidden gem located on 58th Street between 1st Avenue And Sutton Place. Upon entering the restaurant I was impressed by the sophisticated, yet cozy atmosphere and warm, friendly smiles from the waitstaff. The sky lighting and private garden patio made the restaurant feel so spacious and inviting! It also provided romantic lighting making it the perfect place for a romantic evening.
For my starter I ordered "Armoricaine" (Mussels with lobster sauce and chives). I had high expectations for this dish because it was so highly recommended by Peachy Deegan herself. My expectations were succeeded and I can honestly say that these were by far the best mussels I have ever eaten! They were steamed to absolute perfection and the sauce was so decadent and rich with flavor. They had to refill our bread basket because I could not stop using the bread to soak up the extra sauce-absolutely delicious! For my main dish I ordered the Sirloin Steak with Bearnaise sauce, French fries and mixed field greens. The steak was succulent and juicy which is exactly what I look for in a good steak.
It was grilled to perfection and even though it was exceptional on its own, the Bearnaise sauce brought it to the next level adding a rich, creamy flavor to the steak. A glass of Pinot Noir complimented the flavors within both of these dishes so well-I highly recommend it! For dessert we had a sampler plate of Apple Tart, Nutella Napoleon and Chocolate Fondant. With each bite I couldn't decide which dessert was best! I especially loved the Chocolate Fondant, chocolate cake with warm, gooey chocolate sauce in the center.
If all of my entrees thus far hadn't been a good enough indication of excellence in French cuisine, this chocolate dessert certainly proved just that. Bistro Vendome proved itself to be above the mark with their exceptional cuisine, friendly attentive staff and gorgeous atmosphere. This restaurant may be off the beaten path but is a true star and must not be missed!
Peachy Picks Bistro Vendome
http://bistrovendomenyc.com/
Bistro Vendome is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know!
