Winners For

Best French

In 2012, it's hard to imagine the effect that dishes like boeuf bourguignon and ratatouille first had on Americans. How foreign it all seemed! How sophisticated the flavors! Now French cuisine has assimilated so thoroughly into American bistro fare that we barely remember the vinaigrette on our salads used to be called French dressing. But Cafe ...

If you want great cuisine, look for great chefs. If you want great French cuisine, look for great French chefs. Le Provençal's chef Christian Antoniotti began his career at Hotel Restaurant Le Provençal in Cassis and then moved to four-star hotels in France and Switzerland as well as celebrated dining establishments in England. He moved to Miami...

For decades, relatively authentic French bistros dominated the mid-priced dining scene in many New York neighborhoods, from Greenwich Village to Cobble Hill. With the invasion of Naples-style pizzerias, tapas bars, and Thai restaurants, that has changed as old-guard bistros have become a rarity, and the word "bistro" has been more loosely applie...

Valley tastemaker, James Beard Award winner, and foie gras fanatic chef Christopher Gross continues to bring top-notch French fare to his comfortable yet chic bistro inside Biltmore Fashion Park. From stellar staples like wild mushroom soup with foie gras, hanger steak with sautéed shallots, or the decadent Chocolate Tower, featured in Julia Chi...

Chef Olivier Ciesielski made Tony's into one of Houston's top destinations for years, and finally branched out into a place all his own with the effortlessly chic L'Olivier. Inside what was once a convenience store (among other things), Ciesielski has transformed the space with cool, herringbone marble floors in the bright bar area and a mid-cen...

Chez Joel Restaurant Review: Though it seems unlikely escargots found a way to Chicago's Little Italy, they most certainly did --- and to good success at Joël Kazouini’s charming bistro. Yes, the noise level may soar on busy nights, but given the appeal of the food, it’s easy to cut the place slack. We recommend the pâté, the wild mushroom tart ...

Henri Restaurant Review: Nestled into an historic building, this classy joint --- its name pays tribute to architect Louis Henri Sullivan, the designer of its façade --- hopes to achieve its own landmark status. With Dirk Flanigan (The Gage) in the kitchen --- not to mention an ambitious, biodynamic French and American wine program, crown moldin...

Le Vichyssois Restaurant Review: Owner-chef Bernard Cretier continues to make culinary music at his charming country French restaurant and gallery. Certainly one should consider starting with its luxurious namesake, served hot or cold. Then move smartly on to a luxury seafood dish, Dover sole with vermouth sauce or salmon en croûte with dill sau...

Mon Ami Gabi Restaurant Review: Mon Ami Gabi remains a top contender when it comes to bistro dining in Chicago, which is saying something because it's in good company. There’s a romantic air about the place, what with the large windows overlooking Lincoln Park and vintage, Parisian-style bar. On the plate, expect an expanded repertoire of steak ...

Oceanique Restaurant Review: The setting is artsy, the patrons are eclectic and the seafood is impressive at this North Shore restaurant, which changes its menu daily (a seven-course tasting is offered, too). Grilled calamari may get a ginger accent, while scallop sashimi --- as appealing to the eye as the palate --- may mingle with watercress, ...

Everest Restaurant Review: Everest has maintained its perch above Chicago's skyline for over 20 years; the spectacular view from the 40th floor never gets old. Sleek silver fixtures have replaced cumbersome chandeliers and the old artwork is no more --- contemporary pieces now take up wall space. The changes make sense, the easier feel analogous...

Kiki's Bistro Restaurant Review: This is easily one of the best bistros in Chicago, an oasis in a desert of mediocre restaurants attempting to do the same thing. Quiet and civilized, Kiki's is a French country inn in spirit. Nothing seems to escape the eye of proprietor Georges Kiki Cuisance, whose steadiness extends to his sharply dressed waits...

Paris Club Restaurant Review: Name aside, Paris Club has the fixings of a French bistro --- mirror-lined walls, leather-padded furniture, steak frites and a French chef to boot --- all under the Lettuce Entertain You name. Brothers R.J. and Jerrod Melman (Hub 51) have revamped long-lived Brasserie Jo into something decidedly timelier, complete w...

TRU Restaurant Review: A lot has changed on the Chicago dining scene over the last few years --- so much so it’d be easy to wonder if the progressive French fare from this soaring, art adorned dining room is out of date. It’s not. The reason? The force behind TRU: Anthony Martin, the young executive chef-partner who fully stepped into the role d...

Cafe des Architectes Restaurant Review: The oh-so-architectural all-day café in the downtown Sofitel Chicago Water Tower hotel reflects a more-is-more mentality with a cherry-red banquette curving along slanted full-length windows, chairs that look like they come from a Milanese showroom and massive toque lampshades hanging from the soaring ceil...

Parc Restaurant Review: Stephen Starr’s Parc channels the chic brasseries of Paris, complete with aproned waiters delivering steak frites and duck confit and the see-and-be-seen set that vies for outside tables when the weather is fine. Classics such as warm croissants, escargots, bouillabaisse and towering plateaus de fruits de mer are compleme...

Lacroix at The Rittenhouse Restaurant Review: Originally conceived by chef Jean-Marie Lacroix, the godfather of so many talented Philadelphia chefs, this restaurant’s sophisticated approach to ingredient pairings and presentation remains a tribute to his inspiration. The seasonal menu offers either a tasting or à la carte experience, with chef J...

Bibou Restaurant Review: Bibou is the brainchild of chef Pierre Calmels and his wife Charlotte. It’s a tiny, cash-only BYOB that manages to strike a fine balance between rustic and sophisticated French fare. The French-born Calmels, whose résumé includes stints at Daniel in New York City and Le Bec-Fin in Philly, offers a $45 four-course (great ...

Majolica Restaurant Review: Chef Andrew Deery learned French technique at Savona, and he takes a meticulous approach to everything he does, from stocks to desserts to presentation. Deery has retooled the menu at this restaurant an hour west of Center City: prices are lower, with entrées in the $16 to $24 range. The bill of fare changes frequentl...

Zinc Restaurant Review: Olivier De Saint Martin’s Zinc conjures up the flavors and aromas of authentic, homey French cuisine. Tucked away in Midtown Village, the eatery serves up a vibe that is pure Marais---artsy, offbeat and very, very sexy. Charcuterie and cheeses, escargots au gratin, diver sea scallops with braised endive and beurre blanc a...

Fountain Restaurant Restaurant Review: While adept at classic and contemporary French cuisine, executive chef Rafael Gonzalez, a Miami native with Cuban-American roots, also infuses his menus with ingredients from the global table. The seasonal menu might include grilled cervena venison medallions, spiced pumpkin flan and creamed swiss chard, or...

Bistro St. Tropez Restaurant Review: Its out of the way location on the fourth floor of the Marketplace Design Center has not hurt this cheery restaurant one bit. There’s something vaguely clandestine about peeking into the closed showrooms on the way to the elevator. Once upstairs, the Bistro is spacious, with good lighting over the banquettes,...

Beau Monde Restaurant Review: Everything old seems new again with crêpes back on the scene. There is no more pleasant place to have them than in this restored house in Queen Village. Crêpes are a Breton tradition and these are “le vrai” articles, made with buckwheat or plain flour. Onlookers can watch them being made on imported cast iron griddl...

Caribou Cafe Restaurant Review: Under the stewardship of Olivier de Saint Martin, this casual café has become a true Gallic experience. Cheese soufflé for lunch, skate or cassoulet for dinner, and standout frites are only a few of the things that de Saint Martin brings to the menu. The happy hour is popular, as are the chef's prix-fixe menus: $1...

Bistrot du Coin Restaurant Review: Come at night, says the voice on the phone. It’s really buzzy then, jammed and boisterous. We liked the daytime---mid-afternoon was crowded and buzzy enough. At other times, you’d best make reservations so you can rub elbows with the In Crowd; otherwise, you may have to wait. Start with the flavorful onion soup...

Cafe du Parc Restaurant Review: With its very French name and picturesque views of Pershing Park outside the Willard InterContinental Washington, Café du Parc adds an element of sophistication to the downtown DC dining scene. Besides, the menu --- if not the actual kitchen itself --- is overseen by one of Europe’s most famous chefs: Antoine West...

Marcel's Restaurant Review: Inventive chef Robert Wiedmaier cooks in the French style but with Flemish accents (think lots of shellfish). The problem is, the menu undergoes seasonal changes, and you may not find your favorites always listed. Roasted diver scallops and the coquilles St. Jacques make great beginnings. For entrées, one may find ten...

La Chaumiere Restaurant Review: The country-inn atmosphere and the reliable cooking at this Georgetown institution have made it a favorite neighborhood gathering spot for more than three decades. Lunchtime is especially busy. The menu consists of basic bistro fare---dishes like onion soup, mussels in garlic butter and sole meunière. Specialties ...

Lavandou Restaurant Restaurant Review: As sunny, bright and inviting as a beach cabana on the Riviera, this uptown restaurant is a real find, an underpublicized place that locals obviously treasure. To embrace warm weather, staff members throw open the front windows, making a window seat imperative; you sit inches from passersby, with the sun sp...

Matisse Cafe Restaurant Restaurant Review: Like a French stage setting, Matisse makes a surreal statement with its spacious dining rooms, curvilinear graphics and flowing designs. Even the flowers mimic the curlicues and sweeping lines of the interior. It's a three-level restaurant, but the basement is really the open kitchen, all functional and...

Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar Restaurant Review: This cheerful French restaurant has won the hearts of those lucky enough to live in the neighborhood. If you want to make sure that you can occupy one of the seats, either downstairs or upstairs, it's best to call in advance, for the place fills up fast with regulars. The chef has constructed a menu th...

Bistro Francais Restaurant Review: Around midnight, when most restaurants have closed, this very French Georgetown establishment is likely to be full of chefs eating a dinner of steak frites or rotisserie chicken, lamb steak or duck breast with apple honey. But lighter fare, such as sandwiches and egg dishes, are available too. Settle into one o...

Petits Plats Restaurant Review: Petits Plats offers a nicely served and streamlined assortment of mainly French fare. Dinner may start with the foie gras terrine and cherry jam, or country pâté with greens and cornichons. Move on to mussels with french fries, or perhaps pan-seared sea scallops Provençale, steak frites or leg of duck confit and s...

Le Chat Noir Restaurant Francais & Wine Lounge Restaurant Review: As snug and clubby a little place as you'll find in town, this French eatery works well as a neighborhood destination. The staff seems to know their patrons, and the location is convenient to and within walking distance from nearby houses. It's also a change of pace to find an aff...

L'Espalier Restaurant Review: Chef/proprietor Frank McClelland’s French-inspired New American cuisine is exquisitely built from impeccable local ingredients. Patrons choose from seasonal dégustation and chef’s tasting menus along with à la carte lunches and a prix-fixe dinner option at eye-popping prices, though few would challenge their value g...

Menton Restaurant Review: When Menton opened it instantly caused a stir, not only because of the chef-owner Barbara Lynch, one of the most respected culinary figures in the city, but also because of the eye-popping (for Boston, anyway) prices: the chef's tasting is $145, plus an additional $105 for wine. But in the hands of executive chef Colin ...

Aquitaine Restaurant Review: This South End restaurant offers traditional French bistro classics with a twist. For example, on Thursday you may encounter roasted lamb with apricot carrot purée while Tuesday presents pan-roasted trout with almond purée, figs and lemon vinaigrette. Steak frites is a must with its black truffle vinaigrette and wate...

Petit Robert Bistro Restaurant Review: Jacky Robert’s bistro offers Francophiles a more affordable and casual option than its counterparts. The dishes never seem to disappoint, whether garlicky escargots, sautéed foie gras or steak frites. Robert and his crew effortlessly turn out lunches like croque monsieurs, crêpes and quiche, as well as the ...

Hamersley's Bistro Restaurant Review: Local treasure Gordon Hamersley's famed South End bistro is a case study in the transformation from small wonder to major player. Back in 1987 he opened shop in a small Tremont Street storefront. Now said shop occupies a bright and cheery (and larger) space at the center of a vibrant dining scene born in par...

Clio Restaurant Review: Since its debut, Clio and its chef Ken Oringer --- who cut his teeth in San Francisco's trendsetting fusion kitchen, Silks --- have perched at the top of Boston's high-end dining scene. Combining the tastes of East and West is not exactly novel these days, but Oringer prances between French and Asian cuisines with a Zen-l...

Pierrot Bistrot Francais Restaurant Review: Pierrot is a French bistro in the truest sense of the term. The space is small and warm, dotted with posters depicting its eponym, and many on staff greet you with expats' accents. Meanwhile, the menu's in keeping with the maison-spun mood, laden with robust traditional dishes at reasonable prices: pât...

The Hungry i Restaurant Review: Combining the flavors of France and the history of Beacon Hill, The Hungry i is a romantic spot, nestled in the lower level of a restored 1840's brownstone. Three fireplaces, an outdoor courtyard, plus three dining rooms outfitted with tapestries, polished antiques and flickering candlelight provide an intimate at...

Craigie on Main Restaurant Review: Chef/owner Tony Maws entices diners with his prix-fixe menu at this rustic neighborhood restaurant in Central Square. There is a bustling dining room that always seems packed along with a more intimate bar area for quieter conversation. The menu tempts well-heeled Cantabrigians with offerings like chicken sausa...

Pigalle Restaurant Review: Owners Marc Orfaly and Kerri Foley turn out seductive dishes at this Theater District bistro, named for the red light district in Paris. The restaurant’s intimate dining room reflects the French, Mediterranean and Asian influenced dishes that are to come. A prix-fixe dinner may include a layered terrine of foie gras an...

Bleu Boheme is designed to create a feeling of France's past generations. It mixes the Bohemian & artistic free spirited Left Bank of Paris with the roots and tradition of the rural areas.

Dreaming of French baguettes massaged with beurre? At Petit Louis you’ll be transported to a Parisian café where the smell of chocolate mousse and truffle oil fills the cobblestone streets. At the quaint and intimate Roland Park restaurant you’ll get better service than in France, we’re sure, and onion soup that will bring tears to your eyes. Th...

This cute French spot is less fussy, but no less delicious, than sister eatery Le Pigeon; both spots are perfect romantic dinner destinations, though only Little Bird is open for lunch dates too. Both lunch and dinner menus are full of decadent French food: crispy veal sweetbreads, cassoulet, steak frites, and crème brûlée. Consult the changing ...

Open the door to Bidwell Street Bistro, and you are at once embraced by an atmosphere of clamorous activity: busy apron ed waiters, the clink of steel to white china, and the steady hum of conversation. Owner Richard Righton has created a restaurant that is a bistro in the true sense of the word. we know have a great happy hour Mon-wed 5 till 6 ...

Zack Bruell scores again with this contemporary brasserie and bar tucked inside a University Circle carriage house. Must be L'Albatros' perfect combination of historic vibe, polished service, and a big, enticing menu of French classics. With an extensive wine list, the city's best cheese service, and a stunning, secluded patio, this is where Cle...

While an innocuous name like Paris Bistro may deter you from exploring this Park Ave. gem, we assure you that the French fare is far more creative than the name. Whether you’re in the mood for a beautiful Parisian brunch or hearty French dinner, don’t ignore the longtime Winter Park fixture.

The next best thing to dining in Paris, this tres elegant restaurant has won the Forbes Travel Five Star Award and has two Michelin stars. Service is top-notch and prices are hefty, but chef Savoy’s dishes are out of this world. He uses seasonal ingredients in time-tested award-winning dishes such as brioche feuillellée aux champignons et truffe...

Classic Francophilia gets a flirtatious modern update at this bewitching, ooh-la-la bistro tucked behind the bustle of Larimer Square. The location is the perfect setting for the inspiring cooking of Dana Rodriguez, a spirited, gifted chef who romances her guests with lovely, unfussy dishes: butter-misted escargot primped with fresh herbs; subli...

Like Catherine Deneuve, Meritage has a French elegance that only seems to grow more alluring with time. The supple curve of the Tarbais beans in the cassoulet, the tender oysters brimming with their salty juices, the quivering egg yolks atop the benedict, the aged-to-perfection New York strip: Every lovely, delicious bite secures its status as a...