We had heard about Restaurant
Jean-Louis for years by the time we finally
visited this little gem in Greenwich,
Connecticut. "Jean-Louis" is
Jean-Louis Gerin, chef-owner-charming
host. And the restaurant is everything
we’d always heard it was – sophisticated,
elegant, wonderful.
The best way to experience
Jean-Louis’ Nouvelle Classique cuisine
is with the menu degustation, a five-course
tasting menu that changes daily. And
as we’ve mentioned before, we’ve
become pretty tough to please on tasting
menus. This one is how it should be done.
Courses are sized exactly right –
not too much, not too little, each course
is flavorful and fresh, and the menu is
balanced so that the flavors evolve and
build to delicious finales.
A recent menu included:
Foie gras terrine on double oxtail consommé
mirroir
Filet of rouget with roasted
cucumber and asparagus, and green pea
coulis
Breast of Canadian farm
raised chicken with fresh truffle
Pan seared ostrich medallion
with quince and plantain and citrus emulsion
Choice of dessert
And speaking of desserts…
whatever else you do, be sure to have
dessert. They follow the same paradoxical
formula as the food – light but complex,
concentrated flavors without heaviness,
combining originality with classic presentation.
Chocolate is well-represented, from an
almond cookie layered with intense chocolate
ganache and praline cream, to a best-ever
dark chocolate mousse. Also the "super
thin" warm green apple tart and classic
crème brulee.
The wine list is every bit
as impressive as the menu, offering over
500 selections and garnering awards from
near and far. The list emphasizes France
and California wines, particularly Bordeaux,
Rhone Valley reds, and California Cabernets.
(october 2002)
Starters $17-29
Entrées $38-41
Desserts $10.50
Tasting menu $68 per person
Dessert tasting menu $11-12 per person
61 Lewis Street
Greenwich, CT 06830
Tel: 203.622.8450
Web: www.restaurantjeanlouis.com
