Chez Renée: French comfort food, served with heart 

By Sherrie Niedermeier

The first time I ever set foot in a French restaurant, I was in eighth grade. It was the much-anticipated reward for two years of conjugating verbs and repeating French dialogues from a record player in class. I’ll never forget that meal — coquilles St. Jacques, coq au vin and the richest chocolate mousse I had ever tasted. To my young mind, it was the height of sophistication: elegant, foreign and thrilling. 

Visiting Chez Renée French Bistrot in Milford brought all of those feelings back — but with a grown-up, more genuine sense of what real French dining is about. Owners Cathy and Laurent Degois have the confidence to cook the kind of fare you would find in a true neighborhood bistro in France: comforting, carefully prepared and full of heart. It’s food that doesn’t take itself too seriously — it simply tastes wonderful.

Inside Chez Renée, you feel like you’ve been transported to a small French café. Family photographs are proudly displayed on the walls, adding a personal warmth to the space. The booths are cozy and inviting, perfect for lingering over a meal with friends or family. There’s no sense of being rushed here — instead, there’s an unspoken encouragement to relax, laugh and enjoy.

I’ve been to Chez Renée several times for dinner, and each visit only deepens my affection for the place. On one occasion, we started with the baked brie appetizer — a warm, creamy delight that completely won over my friend. For the main course, the steak frites — a classic French bistro dish — was cooked exactly as ordered, with tender beef and crispy, golden fries that practically demanded to be savored slowly.

Another favorite of mine is the beef bourguignon, a dish I’ve happily returned to more than once. Hearty and filling, it comes brimming with tender meat, carrots, onions and rich sauce — the kind of comforting meal that feels like it’s been simmered all afternoon just for you.

The menu reflects that same welcoming spirit throughout. Chez Renée is known for their croque sandwiches — French-style grilled cheese that’s perfectly crisp on the outside and soft, unctuous and deeply satisfying inside. Each croque is served with bright, briny cornichons and sweet pickled onions. Mine was accompanied with a fresh salad of mixed greens, apples and manchego cheese with a light vinaigrette dressing, a good contrast to the richness of the croque.

And then there’s the pain perdu — a dessert that could only be described as the lovechild of a cinnamon roll and a crème brûlée. Rich, tender and slightly caramelized on top, it’s the kind of indulgence that lingers happily in your memory.

Chez Renée is also a place where different dietary needs, such as Kosher eating, are accommodated with care and flexibility, thanks to its true scratch kitchen. Every dish feels thoughtful, natural and refreshingly free of shortcuts.

What makes Chez Renée truly special is how effortless it all feels. Cathy and Laurent aren’t trying to impress with showy techniques or over-the-top presentations. Instead, they focus on what really matters: good food, a warm atmosphere and genuine hospitality. It’s sophisticated, yes — but in a way that feels real, approachable and heartfelt.

For anyone looking for a place to gather with friends, celebrate a special occasion, or simply enjoy a beautiful meal, Chez Renée is a true gem. It’s the kind of restaurant where time slows down, conversation flows easily and every bite reminds you that simple pleasures are often the best ones.

See you at Chez Renée!