Before a much planned visit to the “Big Apple” I went to the internet to find a French restaurant for dinner on one of my few precious date nights out with my husband! In my ‘internet travels’, I came upon CERCLE ROUGE on West Broadway, a quaint French restaurant that I just have to share with all of you!
After promptly finding a parking spot only one block away (miracle) we briskly made our way to the restaurant which I can only describe as a little piece of ‘France’ ! The beautiful façade with bright red and black coloring and the echo of French bistro music from the street set the stage perfectly.
We entered into a Parisian bistro bar area and were seated in their dining room adorned with larger than life champagne bottles circling the room along with the prettiest bar area I’ve seen outside of France!
Our French waiter (very cute) welcomed us along with the maître d and the owner! He offered a list of all the specials to us – which after reading the menu, made it more difficult than ever to decide what to order.
After a long deliberation, I chose the Mignon De Porc Sauc Vallee D’Auge, (roasted Berkshire free range pork tenderloin, wrapped with applewood bacon, with Calvados cream sauce and vegetables). To say the pork melted in my mouth is an understatement. (Next time I will ask for a spoon!) and the flavor was superb! The hint of bacon added the finishing touch to this yummy dish.
My husband (and assistant in this outing) chose the Truite Amandine (almond trout with haricots verts, steamed potatoes, and lemon brown butter). Let me say that fish is not one of my favorite meals, but, after one ‘bite’ we shared the rest of the dish – and he mine!
The staff continuously came over to check on us – and also to teach us the pronunciations of the dishes we were enjoying tremendously!
As if the meal could not get any better, Chef Pierre Landet came out to greet us with my favorite French dessert – Crème Brulee (French for ‘burnt cream’)! This incredible French dessert (brunt cream, crema catalane, or Trinity cream) consists of a rich custard base topped with a contrasting layer of hard caramel. It is served cold, or with the custard cold and the caramel warm and can have one of many flavors: lemon zest, rosemary, chocolate, a liqueur, fruit, etc. Ours was served with two fresh raspberries on top.
The wine list was also French and American so no one will feel left out! The bar list goes on with some ‘French cocktails’ which I will have to go back for in the future.
Cercle Rouge, Georges Forgeo is’ most recent addition to this family of intriguing French bistros is faithful to his customers and the French tradition.
I look forward to returning for lunch, brunch, PRIX FIX …….
CERCLE ROUGE
241 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
T: 212-226-6252
F: 212-226-6171
Open Mon-Thurs 11:30am-12am
Fri 11:30am-1am *Sat 11am-1am*Sun 11am-12am
LUNCH *DINNER*BRUNCH
Beverly A. Beveridge, Monmouth County Regional Editor, JerseyBites.com
Bev resides in Eatontown with her husband, Bob, daughters, Melissa and Brittany, son, Glenn, dog, Bailey and cats, Kitty and Slodki (polish for honey/sweet). She enjoys dining out, piano, tennis, travelling, designing her JERSEY GIRL swimsuits and Calendar, music (especially Rock Concerts) and meeting people. Enjoy her ‘fun’ reviews! Passport to Peru – Home of the Jersey Girls Swimsuit models and ‘Calendar’ Girls! ‘Passport Swimsuits – A Swimsuit to fit ‘every body’. www.passorttoperu.net
