Tournesol under new chef -- still good

My wife and I had another great meal at Tournesol last night. This was the first time we have been since the change in chefs and we were both a little nervous that it would not be up to snuff -- Tournesol is one of our favorite neighborhood spots.

Anyway, the menu is similar to before, but with a few new dishes (braised veal cheeks I think is new) and some different preparations (the trout is no longer done in a brown butter and caper sauce—now it's an English pea sauce, and the pork chop is done differently—mushroom-based sauce now).

We both opted for the Tue-Thur. $22 three course prix fixe deal, and picked one of their Tue-Thur. $20 wine specials (we had a bottle of the 2002 Charles Baur Alsace Pinot Blanc). They seem to have expanded the choices for each course that can be put toward the prix fixe deal. There were three options for the first course as usual, I think. But either 5 or 6 for the second course.

First course: I had the onion tart, my wife the escargot. Both well done, very tasty.

Second course: My wife had the trout, I had the tilapia (which may be another new dish), sauteed with tomatoes, olive oil and garlic. The trout was more to my wife's liking. Subtler flavors. The tilapia was more to mine. Perfectly cooked, nice bright flavors. We will both miss the trout in brown butter and caper sauce with roasted brussel spruots though. It wasn't a revelatory dish, but it was always delicious.

Third course/dessert: We both went with the custard duo. Chocolate custard/creme brulee and a standard creme brulee. We both preferred the chocolate custard. The regular creme brulee was not as creamy as in times past. Not sure if this is related to the chef change or not, but it was a little too eggy in taste and texture.

Same solid service as usual, same relaxed, classy yet not stuffy atmosphere.

The Tournesol Tue-Thur prix fixe deal remains one of our favorite dining experiences. The chef change definitely won't be keeping us away.


Tournesol
4343 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-477-8820

We too have been under the new chef and had a wonderful meal. We were able to meet him and he seems to be the real deal having worked in France at various bistros. Don't ask me where, we were in Friday night Feast of the Senses exhaustion and don't remember much of our conversation, except that he seemed genuine and earnest. I also recall that he mentioned that he was planning to change the menu more according to the seasons so I wouldn't lament too much for the lack of brussel sprouts on the menu as the pea preparation would be much more consistent with the season. I would imagine the brussel sprouts will be back in the fall.

Deflator_Mouse wrote:First course: I had the onion tart, my wife the escargot. Both well done, very tasty.

Third course/dessert: We both went with the custard duo. Chocolate custard/creme brulee and a standard creme brulee.

We ordered the same apps and desserts several weeks ago, and would affirm your judgment. Escargot and onion tart were quite tasty, the creme brulee was less impressive than before. I don't recall my wife's entree; I got the veal cheeks and they were very tender and delicious. Perhaps my wife got pork tenderloin--whatever it was, she enjoyed it very much as well. Our wine was a Portuguese red, Tradicao the producer, I believe, and was excellent as well.

I didn't know before we dined that the chef was new, but I certainly wasn't disappointed. Tournesol remains an extremely enjoyable neighborhood joint.

After reading this post (a couple months ago now), I finally made it to try Tournesol's bargain. I have consistenly favored Bistro C. up the street, but having dined at Tournesol once before, I've always wanted to return.

The prix fixe menu is now $23/pp and the wine special is $22/bottle (up from $22 and $20, respectively). Still a great bargain. (We skipped the bottle and each ordered one glass).

The first course had 4 choices: onion tart, escargot & mushroom fricassee, a salad, and lentil soup. Ms. EC had the tart, I had the escargot. The tart was sweet and rich and the escargot dish was so delicious I would have loved it had it been made with just mushrooms.

The second course also had 4 choices: pork tenderloin, calf's liver (w/onion, bacon, potatoes), a veggie option, and salmon. Ms. EC had the salmon which was good and I had the liver which was tasty but too heavy and rich for a summer mid-week meal.

Two choices for dessert: peach melba with ice cream and chocolate mousse with orange coulis. Both very tasty.

All in all, this prix fixe option remains an excellent value. Three well-prepared courses, excellent service, and a nice ambiance. It didn't seem like reservations were necessary either (at least not last night).