This is a lovely Bistro in the gorgeous Fairmont Seattle. The menu offers bistros classics, and is so much to my taste that it was almost impossible to decide what to have for lunch.
We loved the pea soup, the sourdough boule, and the lobster salad.
There’s a nice selection of wines by the glass.
Service was pleasant and fast.
Nice spot for traditional French crêpes, whether savory or sweet. There’s also a nice menu of French café dishes including Coq au Vin and Beef Bourguignon. Extensive dessert menu and a nice wine list. Friendly service. An intimate café environment.
***** (5 stars)
Camille is now in its new, permanent location in Baldwin Park, and what a knockout it is! We had a fabulous meal at the old pop-up in East End Market, and weren’t sure how it could be topped, but it was.
The space is intimate yet spacious, with seating for eight at the counter, plus just four tables, and an elegant glassed-in private dining room for six. It’s easily the most beautiful restaurant in Orlando, and one of the most striking restaurant designs anywhere.
Chef Tung Phan oversees a staff of highly practiced chefs who assemble the complex twelve-course (with actually closer to twenty dishes) menu in front of you. Most courses contain an element of Vietnamese cuisine, but I would not call any specific dish Vietnamese. It’s modern fine dining, with many elements unique to Chef Phan.
We happened to attend on the first night they were doing table service, and although we sat at the counter, it appeared that table service also progressed like they’d been doing it forever. (As of our visit on August 1, 2023 they are not yet doing private dining.)
It’s hard to pick a favorite course given so many astonishingly beautiful and tasty items, and since the menu changes regularly there is no point in my providing a complete run-down. Just feast your eyes on my photos! But I will call out two favorites my companion and I both agreed on in the hopes they will stay on the menu forever: Spiny Florida lobster served with passionfruit, hearts of palm, and various greens was an amazing salad. And the assortment of sorbets including watermelon sprinkled with birds eye chili was a remarkable palate cleanser and pre-dessert.
Two wine pairings are offered, and it is worth getting both if you are a couple, as every one of the selections was thoughtful, matched the food, and contrasted with each other in very interesting ways. Beverage Director Derrick Goodman is very personable, and had interesting comments about each of the wines.
Orlando suddenly has an embarrassment of fine-dining restaurants, and I would place Camille at or near the top of that list.
Camille
4962 New Broad St
Orlando, FL 32814
**** (4 stars)
Good food with a New Orleans slant to many items. It's divided into two long narrows spaces, and the bar can actually be more pleasant compared to the dining room, depending on whether you are seated next to an obnoxiously loud six-top like we were. Interesting cocktail list, and a nice selection of wines by the glass. Friendly service.
Savour
115 E Park Ave
Tallahassee, FL 32301
***** (5 stars)
What a lovely place to have a sandwich on an outdoor patio! There's a full traditional French bistro menu, and the Croque Monsieur was excellent. But the BLTA was the best I've ever had, with lots of crispy bacon and a spicy remoulade. Very friendly service and a nice selection of wines.
Aixois
301 E 55th St
Kansas City, MO 64114
***** (5 stars)
Lovely two-star Michelin on the rooftop. In a glass box surrounded by trees you feel you are in a forest rather than the middle of Berlin. The lighting and acoustics contribute to a perfect atmosphere.
The eight course tasting menu (actually many more dishes) is inventive and beautiful. Standouts for me we're the amuse bouche of coconut foam covered falafel, the osetra caviar, and the shabu shabu. The leek was visually stunning, individual sections, nori wrapped, hollowed out and filled with a variety of creations.
Service is professional yet friendly. And excellent wine list offers some great choices at reasonable prices for this level of dining.
Facil
Potsdamer Str. 3
10785 Berlin
Germany
***** (5 stars)
Such winning ambience at this traditional bistro near Trafalgar Square and the theatre district. Be sure to ask to sit downstairs in the cozy little rooms!
Standouts we're the escargot and the absolutely scrumptious confit of duck.
The cafe gourmand is a great way to try small samples of all their wonderful desserts.
Service is very welcoming.
Le Garrick
10-12 Garrick Street
London WC2E 9BH
United Kingdom
***** (5 stars)
Great traditional brasserie convenient to the theatre district. Frequented by locals, which is always a good sign. Nice wine by the glass selections. Very welcoming staff.
Côte
50-51 St Martin's Lane
London WC2N 4EA
United Kingdom
***** (5 stars)
Always a required stop in London. There's a reason this restaurant has been in business more than thirty years.
Our favorite aspect is that they will give you a blind wine paring, so if you're into wine it is really fun to guess with no preconceived notions. Great service and hospitality.
Pied à Terre
34 Charlotte Street
London W1T 2NH
United Kingdom
***** (5 stars)
This has long been our favorite restaurant in London. It’s certainly the most romantic. The food is sublime, the service is welcoming, and the wine list is a vast resource of reasonably priced treasures. This is always one of our stops on every visit to London.
Clos Maggiore
33 King Street
London WC2E 8JD
United Kingdom