We would go to the best restaurants, and enjoy wonderful meals, and feel as is if we were in France but at a fraction of the cost. Part of the fun, was also the dining experience. Years ago, my husband and I would go to Montreal with our youngest son, Brett, to partake in an Expos Baseball Game (where at the then exchange rate of 1.62 Canadian Dollars to the US dollar) we could purchase front row seats for around $23 each and see great players and great games . To me, being able to pop into a local establishment, and enjoy the cozy French atmosphere (and in Larchmont, there are always French patrons dining there), is comforting. So, while I certainly do not have the required restaurant background, I would still like to offer my own few comments. So much goes into making a restaurant successful. It always troubles me to see a wonderful restaurant open, only to close some 6 months later perhaps because of a series of snow storms, something beyond their scope, or perhaps poor reviews, and so when it comes to critiquing a restaurant, any restaurant, I would like to think that just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so are our taste buds, and we shouldn’t be so harsh to criticize. What constitutes a true food critic? Someone with an extensive background in food preparation, someone who has labored through those years of culinary school, and who can well appreciate the demanding hours of any restaurant? I would hope every food critic has such noble backgrounds. I was celebrating the Birthday of a friend ( Mary Welch of Coldwell Banker), and so it was no hardship going there, to while away a leisurely lunch hour plus. After all, if one has taste buds and a mouth, surely we can all put forth our own opinions? SO, while not a critic, I thought I would put forth my thoughts. I recently read a (sort of mixed ) review of the Encore Bistro in Rye, and it prompted me to pop into the Encore Bistro in Larchmont (where I frequent ) to write my own ‘review’. Located at 22 Chatsworth Avenue in Larchmont, 914 833-1661 914 833-1661, Encore Bistro Français offers daily luncheon specials, a varied evening menu selection, and something to tempt the most discerning palette. The rest rooms are spotless.Where to go for a nice luncheon, where you aren’t bothered by the wait staff, and where you can relax and enjoy the ambiance and food? Encore Bistro Français in Larchmont to name one such restaurant. I asked for an espresso "short and strong": that is exactly what I got! Service is quick and attentive. A textbook example of a French Crepe, with gently sauteed diced mango inside, folded, sauced with a bit of raspberry puree and dusted with a touch of powdered sugar. My Mango Crepe was simplicity itsely, in a wonderful way. Four cheeses, each one perfectly ripe and absolutely delicious! Raspberry Sorbet tasted on nothing but beautifully ripe raspberries. Since we still had some wine left, we shared a cheese board. We enjoyed a decent Burgundy, priced at $40 ($50 in most other nearby restaurants). the wine! The wine list is small and well-chosen with plenty of moderately (and very fairly!) priced bottles. The roasted Hanger Steak was served at a perfect medium rare, perfectly seasoned. Crust baguette put to good use sopping up every drop! Tournedo of Salmon was picture perfect, napped with just enough sauce. The Mussels were plump and tender, the sauce rich and delicious. A chilled Artichoke Soup was silky smooth, subtle on the palate, and delicious. either in the US or in Paris! Luchtime special menus are a bargain at $16.50, and we ordered from them. We started with a dozen Escargots, served in a still-bubbling butter-garlic-herb sauce, and they were simply excellent! Among the best we've ever eaten. What an all-around wonderful meal! Our first time here, and we are already talking about how soon we'll be back.
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