Last week the French honored Bastille Day, an annual day of reverence for the storming of the Bastille, a major battle of the French revolution that united the people of France. To honor the day we headed to the east side to enjoy an evening of gourmet cuisine at La Brasserie. Formerly known as Brasserie Les Halles, the dimly lit space is fashioned after the old French Brasseries which were casual dining spaces serving hearty foods rather quickly.
In its former life, the space was home to a young Anthony Bourdain, long before penning his best seller and launching his media career. Though the original Les Halles closed in 2017 new owner Francis Staub has kept its legacy alive. The space has been modernized since to increase functionality and ambiance, but that old Bourdain era charm remains.
For their Bastille day celebration, La Brasserie presented a prix fixe menu of delectable treats. Guests enjoying the prefix were treated to an Amuse Buche, Appetizer, Choice of entrée, and dessert. There were two entrees to choose from so in honor of French unity we opted to share and enjoyed them both.
Gougeres & Vegetables
Our meal began with an amuse bouche of savory Gougeres or cheese puffs and a beautifully plated salad of leeks, microgreens, caramelized walnuts, and a walnut vinaigrette. The gougeres were airy and light with a warm cheesy flavor. The leeks were crisp and crunchy the caramelized walnuts added just a hint of sweetness.
Steak au Poivre
The steak was served medium with a creamy peppercorn sauce, Pommes Aligot or cheesy mashed potatoes, and a lightly dressed watercress. The steak was exceptional, tender, and juicy, the sauce amped up the flavor with a peppery kick.
Grilled Branzino
The tender buttery fish was served with spiced couscous, and a grapefruit, avocado, lemon, and curry vinaigrette. The fish was fresh and lightly seasoned, which made it a perfect summer dish. Thankfully the curry flavor of the vinegarette and couscous didn’t overpower the fish and only added to its fragrant aroma.
Profiteroles
Our meal ended with a round of airy profiteroles topped with fresh berries, filled with creamy vanilla ice cream, and drizzled with warm chocolate syrup. A very tasty end to a great meal.
Just as the French conquered the Bastille, our appetites were slain with his hearty sumptuous meal. Every bite was delicious, and every dish was plated expertly adding to our delight. The star of the evening was the steak it was incredibly tender and flavorful, and we highly recommend it. In addition to the great food service at La Brasserie is immaculate, and the staff is welcoming and accommodating. From the hostess to the servers everyone provided excellent service adding to our fine dining experience. The Bastille Day prefix was only for the day, so you may not find the tasty dishes above. But don’t fret, for restaurant week, July 18-August 1 they’ve planned a new prix fixe menu for your fine dining pleasure.
Cheers!