Peachy Picks Frere de Lys Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
Owner Thibaut Piettre and his wife, Caroline
Congratulations Alexis on your new baby!
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It's not every day that we discover a new French restaurant that can compete with all our old favorites, so get excited about a lovely neighborhood spot: Frere de Lys!
This is its inaugural feature in Peachy's Picks.
We visited once before in Terrific Takeout:
Owned by brothers Thibaut and Alexis Piettre, Frere de Lys is an authentic French escape from Manhattan into their cozy spot that will celebrate its first anniversary on May 30, 2015. Peachy Deegan was delighted with this robust Merlot from Domaine Montrose with its garnet red hue and notes of raspberry and blackcurrant that revealed themselves on her palate. By the way, we are still looking for something French and great in Washington DC if you own one-tell us!
Peachy ordered for her appetizer the Smoked Eggplant Gratin, which we also ordered during the takeout. It was even better this time and the ricotta and homemade tomato sauce had a superb French signature with its rosemary, thyme and herb de provence. This is not your Italian tomato sauce! The mix of spices and flavors was sublime and this is delicious yet delicate.
We were just as impressed with the Shrimp Cesar Salad as we were the first time. Jumbo prawns, crisp romaine, croutons and anchovies teamed up for a winning plate. The Executive Chef of Frere de Lys is Craig Green, who is Jamaican and attended French Culinary school in Toronto.
We were most impressed with the triumphant entree of Roasted Dijon Salmon, and can they do sauces well!!! The presentation of the fish is lovely as it's wrapped in zucchini, and the carrots and green beans add fantastic color and nutrition. The quality of the salmon itself met our expectations and it was perfectly medium. Just as wonderful as the food is the upbeat buzz and attitude of both brothers and last time we were delighted to also meet their dad who was visiting from France. Do not skip dessert, and y
ou must check out the casual charm of Frere de Lys!
Our esteemed panelist adds:
Ah, yes, a wonderful French restaurant to be tried. From two brothers who have a long history in the food business in NYC, Freres de Lys is a place not to be missed. Their wild mushroom soup is a delight. Although servers usually ask if you would like pepper, there in no need to add anything at all to any of the dishes on their menu.
The soup was calm, smooth, filling and delightful. Flavorful, and the edge of truffle oil makes it one of the best I've ever tried.
The woody touch of the mushrooms was complemented by shaved gruyere and hand made croutons, so go easy on the warm bread served at the table. For a salad course, we had the Burrata Salad. Presented with a generous portion of fresh cheese, purchased from a small local maker of Italian delights, the burrata is smooth and luscious, light and extra palatable on a bed of baby arugula and vine ripened grape tomatoes.
A balsamic vinagrette adds, doesn't overwhelm, and cleanses the palate for the main course. Pan- seared chicken was the choice this evening, and with a moist, plump chicken breast, all was perfect. Balanced with parsley laced mashed potato, julienned carrots, zucchini and crisp fines haricots verts, all dressed with a mushroom, tarragon and mustard sauce.
Mouth-watering, and oh, so satisfying. Perhaps the Alsacian roots of these two brothers add all the necessary flavor. Perhaps it's the ingenious way their Jamaican/Canadian chef creates his menu. Flavor is supreme, and portions are generous. If you're not too full, try the pear/rosemary tart for a sense of Spring. The rosemary adds nuance that you may not have sensed before in other pear tarts. The Chocolate Flourless Cake was a lofty 2" in height, made by the wife of one of the brothers. Tender-hearted attention will smooth your way to blissful contentment.
For wines, a Rose La Tourraine from the Loire, 2012, precisely chilled, was our accompaniment for all courses, and lent itself well to all of the important points of the meal. As Julia Child would say, it's the land of "Bon Appetit" here at Freres de Lys.
Peachy and Thibaut-Alexis's wife was having a baby at the same time as the review. Congratulations!
Peachy Picks Frere de Lys!
Frere de Lys is Recommended by Whom You Know.
Peachy is wearing a Geiger Jacket and an Ellen Christine fascinator.
