Compared to Latin American food, French fare is usually a little heavier and richer, so I’m a little intimidated by it. Luckily, I’ve found a few exquisite options that put any fears at ease.
La Panetière in Rye is a place where I would definitely want to celebrate a special occasion or romantic evening. The menu offers an always-elegant twist on traditional French cooking, and the ambience is as fancy and fashionable as it gets. You can go à la carte or choose from a tasting menu to be paired with a wine from the restaurant’s equally extravagant wine cellar.
Another great find is La Crémaillère, which is tucked away in an oh-so-charming white, French farmhouse in picturesque Bedford. While the farm-to-table food is so good it is sinful and the award-winning wine cellar top rate, what really does it for me is the cozy and intimate setting. It is expensive, but in this case, you definitely get what you pay for.
For a more casual yet equally tasty time, there is the sweetest little French-American café in Harrison called Rue Des Crepes. The outdoor courtyard immediately whisks you away to gay Paris. Plus, I’m a sucker for the savory French fries, which are cleverly served in small terra cotta pots. “All of our crepe batter is gluten-free and vegan,” says owner Denise Diaz, “so it is safe for everyone to enjoy, no matter your dietary restrictions.”
For my own sumptuous soiree, the piece de resistance in this category is Le Jardin Roi in downtown Chappaqua. I just adore the authenticity of this French bistro with its snug atmosphere and banquets that create the mood for a night of romance. The food speaks for itself—I order the French onion soup and escargot to start-—the soup is everything I hoped it would be, and the escargot has the perfect amount of garlic and butter. For dinner, the steak grillé aux quatre poivres is a grilled New York shell steak with fries and salad in an exquisite peppercorn sauce. I pair that with a Julia James pinot noir—c’est magnifique! Next, I somehow talk my hubby into splitting the crème brulee, but truth be told, I’m not great at sharing.
