#InauguralReview @ChezFrancis by #FrancisStaub Since October 2022 #411ParkAvenueSouth between 28th and 29th #Flatiron #French #Manhattan
Happiness is Francis' Steak Frites Medium Rare with Bearnaise and Bordeaux!
Founder and Owner of Chez Francis, Francis Staub, and Peachy Deegan have a champagne toast to celebrate our hottest new inaugural review!
Bien Sur, Francis the multi-talent even makes the Escargot dish...
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we are thrilled to now know Francis Staub, founder and owner of Chez Francis and also the creator of the famous cookware brand, Staub which he created in the 1970s. We were graciously greeted by Francis himself straight from France (he also owns two restaurants in Strasbourg, France where he is from - famous for the huge Christmas market and the cathedral) and both Lardon and Mushroom Tarte Flambee each emblazoned with onions, creme fraiche and comte said to our tastebuds: "Enchante, Peachy!"
Not only is Francis talented and accomplished, but he has a sparkling personality as you see from the video and he has beaucoup de stories! He knew the family of the producer of Edith Piaf and as a kid, he played backstage at L'Olympia. If you saw Fete Paradiso in 2013 in Governor's Island, those were Francis's carousel horses from 1913, 1920 and 1940.
Chez Francis began in October 2022, however, Francis Staub first had The Brasserie at this address starting in 2019 and of course then came covid. Avid readers will recognize Jose Meirelles started Les Halles in this space with his team in the early 1990s and Jose started being a Peachy's Pick with Le Marais in 2012. Chez Francis plans on changing its menu in the spring, fall and winter and as inspiration dictates.
The magic word here is SOUFFLE and both the Cauliflower Veloute and the Mushrooms of Chanterelle and Porcini Veloute announced with supreme excellence that they reign phenomenal and are best in all of the land in Manhattan and probably the whole state of New York too. On the menu right this second you will also see a Spinach Veloute and a Lobster Bisque Veloute which alone should have you sprinting to make a reservation. And, in typical Whom You Know fashion we found out some culinary intelligence just for you readers: Foie Gras Souffle is imminently going to be offered!
Pictures speak louder than words, readers:
Olivier and Peachy
As always, we publish the truth and the truth is Francis scored a home run, assisted with his teammatees Olivier the General Manager of Limoges who has 32 years of experience from Ducasse to Boulud and The Standard and Jean-Luc Legouix, Manager and Bordeaux native. We like the authentic French origins and opportunity to continue to elevate Peachy's french speaking ability!
Of course Peachy asked them what their favorite Alain Delon film was!
Plein Soleil is Francis's favorite.
La Piscine is Olivier's favorite.
Avid readers know that Mademoiselle Peachy is a Bordeaux enthusiast, and to that end, Chez Francis accurately suggested this splendid 2014 Baron de Brane Margaux which elevated each culinary feat respectively.
Some escargot glamour shots:
And the final firework:
Can you hear it now-Peachy is going to be asking everyone that serves her escargot from here on out if they also designed and made the dish it comes in and did they manufacture it in France too? We are super into quality countries of origin as you know!
The escargot triumphed out-of-shell, luxuriating in exquisite persillade butter and a dozen saluted Peachy's stomach and lived happily ever after!
Also under Hors D'Oeuvres you will meet Tuna Tartare, which is delivered from Japan three times a week. Yellowfin tuna, Avocado, Caramelized Shallots and Yuzu and Ginger dressing combine for a winning dish that has earned it a favorite of the house, and we found it to be super fresh!
Chandeliers are vintage from the 1960s, 1970s and Chez Francis also welcomes you with a high ceiling.
Salad Nicoise continued along the Tuna theme, and here it's rolled in Jamaican black pepper and arrives in style perfectly medium rare, Ahi Tuna pan-seared. It waltzes in nutritional divinity with eggs, potaoes, tomatoes and greens and they even put the dressing on the side for Ms. Uberpicky at her request. This is a top-seller.
Filet de Saumon is sure to appeal to all pescatarians out there, and Out of the Blue delivers it three times par semaine, that's a week for you non-french speakers. Peachy is inspired to improve her French even more so she can chat with Francis about his souffles on his next visit. This fish arrives medium rare if you do not indicate otherwise, and we think this is exactly how you should order it. The quality of the green asparagus is the best we have seen anywhere this season and both that and the salmon were of total quality.
If Peachy was stranded on a desert island with only one thing to eat from this exact review, she would choose the Francis' Steak Frites with Bearnaise. Like many amazing things in New York, this is sourced from a small farm in Connecticut. We are told it is of the ilk that respects animals and uses no chemical products and is delivered twice a week. Grilled bavette is succulent and a carnivore's dream! A worthy teammate are the frites themselves, which are made fresh every day. Watercress comes to the party on a plate as does the Cafe de Paris sauce, butter and herbs.
Bearnaise is a total dream and is a vision in egg yolk, chablis chardonnay and herbs.
Francis' Steak Frites arrived perfectly medium rare as we ordered, and it comes cut.
In the world according to Peachy Deegan, the best desserts are often apple or chocolate.
Tarte Aux Pommes was the embodiment of dessert excellence with a perfect mix of Granny Smith and Gala apples that rejoiced in vanilla ice cream.
Locals and corporate guests compose the majority of visitors right now but if you are a tourist, you would be equally welcome. If you have not dined at Chez Francis, you are not living your best life! It's open for dinner seven days a week and for lunch from Monday to Friday. Be there! Get the souffle, the Steak Frites and celebrate your life.
Chez Francis is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
We absolutely cannot wait to see what they do next.
our philosophy
Celebrating the French 'joie de vivre' and epicurean spirit
At Chez Francis, we aim to share the spirit of joie de vivre through our classic French dishes made with quality ingredients and an artistic touch. Our lively atmosphere is inspired by our founder's love of life, Francis Staub, offering a warm and joyful experience of French culture and dining.
Born in Alsace - France, he is friend to many great chefs like Paul Bocuse, and creator of the Staub Cocottes, present in many restaurants. His story with NY traces back to more than 10 years ago, when he exposed his private collection of vintage carousels on Governors Island. At the time, his favorite spot for lunch in New York was Brasserie des Halles, an historical restaurant renowned for its French cuisine. Today, Francis Staub's goal is to revive this iconic establishment as a symbol of French cuisine in New York.
