For Jewish diners in the gift-giving mode, what could be more appropriate than offering recipients of their thoughtfulness a restaurant experience? According to Laurent Degois, Chez Renee has developed an easy way to make such arrangements on its website. That site gets a lot of play this time of year, what with gatherings for personal and business reasons, where gifts are exchanged or expected as rewards for service. But gift cards have become a popular option the year-round, as well.
Simplicity is a feature of the gift card experience at Chez Renee. I tried it out just to be sure and even I can do it. The boxes to be filled out are unambiguous and straightforward. The only part that requires thoughtful processing is the message you may want delivered to the recipient. All the other fill-in-the-blanks are easy and in no way confusing. So, gift cards? No big deal. Try it — an easy way to give a nice gift.
As to French eateries, especially for those familiar with the restaurant scene, the expectation might be somewhat narrow. My sense is that diners hearing “French restaurant” think of exquisite preparations and classically upscale offerings. In general, that is true here in the US of A, but not universally so. Chez Renee is one of the exceptions. Degois will tell you that his work in the kitchen is built on solid French technique, but that simple dishes with outstanding taste profiles are his stock in trade. So, we took a look at some of the items on the menu that one might expect at a drugstore luncheonette (remember those?), but not in a “French” restaurant.
How about a grilled cheese sandwich? French cuisine and grilled cheese sandwich don’t seem naturals in the same sentence to me. But the French actually have elevated the humble grilled cheese to an art form of sorts. The French word “croque” means to “munch or crunch,” and the quintessential version of this cheese sandwich is the croque monsieur. That sandwich is not kosher, having ham as a central ingredient. But those Jewish diners out who want to eat kosher-style are able to do so with two vegetarian cheese sandwiches at Chez Renee.
The first of these is under the menu heading croque veggie, and it features the bistrot’s famed ratatouille on the grilled cheese sandwich. Ratatouille is a vegetable stew generally made with eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, with the tomatoes forming the sauce for the stew of vegetables. The Chez Renee version of this classic stew is delicious, and I recommend it as a side dish if you are looking for a good one.
Now, what about that sandwich? First, the sandwich is built with French challah bread, sliced thick. A béchamel is part of the layering of this sandwich, along with a generous portion of gruyere cheese. The sandwich is egg-dipped and sauteed, and sometimes finished in the oven. As part of the croque, the ratatouille is layered between the two slices of bread, along with the aforementioned ingredients. So, yes, a grilled cheese sandwich, but what a sandwich! I’m betting you’ll love the ratatouille version of this classic French croque. Also, there is a tomato version of the same sandwich, much like the American classic grilled cheese with tomato. But national pride notwithstanding, the French version takes the biscuit in my book.
What else would you find at that luncheonette counter of yore? An American-as-apple-pie hamburger is what. The burger Chez Renee features is an international pedigree, since it is made in a French kitchen that adheres to French technique and made with beef perfected by the Japanese. That beef is wagyu, and it is special. This beef is one-hundred percent grass fed, and the patty is eight ounces, so a hefty burger. The burger comes with a side of French fries and is taken through the garden before coming to your table.
The grilled cheese and hamburger sandwiches are two of the menu items that set Chez Renee apart from typical, classically French restaurants Jewish diners out are likely to experience. To me, these options are yet another reason to visit this marvelous bistrot soon.
See you at Chez Renee!
