nsxtasy wrote:
One aspect not yet mentioned: "The Show". That's what I call the 45-minute process shortly after you were seated, in which they would bring out cart after cart of dishes to show you what was being served that evening, before taking your order. I've never been anywhere, before or since, that did that.

Definitely a mind-blowing part of the dinner "event" at Le Français. They toned it down over the years, but initially, they'd have really old-world royalty type presentations: a full-sized, taxidermied snow goose posing with the foie gras or a small tableau of a pheasant in fall plumage amid dry grasses gazing at the pheasant saucisson stuffed with pistachios, and so on. And highly polished silver everywhere. Glorious.

And there were two, multi-tiered dessert carts. I remember how much the wait staff enjoyed describing desserts -- at least to patrons who were clearly enjoying themselves. I can still hear the voice of the French waiter saying to me and my friend, "... and then another layer of chocolate mousse, and another layer of meringue, and then another layer of chocolate mousse, and another..." Still makes me smile. No one had more fun serving an appreciative audience than the staff at Le Français.

Cynthia wrote:We came close to capturing the magic a few years ago (2008, to be precise), when we had a special LTH dinner prepared by Banchet's long-time sous chef, Patrick Chabert. Stunning, 7-course meal -- very Le Français. If we had good cooking facilities available and a place that could also seat 20 people or more, we might be able to do it again, but the place we held the dinner is gone.

I went to a similar tribute dinner last year at Les Nomades, prepared by Patrick Chabert, Roland Liccioni, and Michael Lachowicz, featuring some of the best of Le Francais's dishes. It was fun - not nearly as magical as the original, but fun.

Cynthia wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:
One aspect not yet mentioned: "The Show". That's what I call the 45-minute process shortly after you were seated, in which they would bring out cart after cart of dishes to show you what was being served that evening, before taking your order. I've never been anywhere, before or since, that did that.

Definitely a mind-blowing part of the dinner "event" at Le Français. They toned it down over the years, but initially, they'd have really old-world royalty type presentations: a full-sized, taxidermied snow goose posing with the foie gras or a small tableau of a pheasant in fall plumage amid dry grasses gazing at the pheasant saucisson stuffed with pistachios, and so on. And highly polished silver everywhere. Glorious.

And there were two, multi-tiered dessert carts. I remember how much the wait staff enjoyed describing desserts -- at least to patrons who were clearly enjoying myself. I can still hear the voice of the French waiter saying to me and my friend, "... and then another layer of chocolate mousse, and another layer of meringue, and then another layer of chocolate mousse, and another..." Still makes me smile. No one had more fun serving an appreciative audience than the staff at Le Français.

Sounds fantastic. This kind of dining does not exist in Chicago anymore. I would have absolutely loved that spectacle.

on my one trip to le francais, i was pleasantly surprised at how un-snobby it was. yes, the presentations were very elaborate, but if one was seriously interested in the food, not just in being there to brag about it later- it was more a joyous collaboration of waiters' enthusiasm coupled with the customers' pleasure at being there. i felt completely comfortable; unlike many trendy restaurants where i don't. my 3 friends and i had hired a limo (!) to transport us both ways (as they are all serious wine drinkers), so we really could relax and enjoy ourselves, which didnt hurt. but i still feel the restaurant was as unpretentious as a place like that could be. nobody who worked there had an attitude- so common these days from some popular places, IMO. i had the best time....

Cynthia wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:
One aspect not yet mentioned: "The Show". That's what I call the 45-minute process shortly after you were seated, in which they would bring out cart after cart of dishes to show you what was being served that evening, before taking your order. I've never been anywhere, before or since, that did that.

Definitely a mind-blowing part of the dinner "event" at Le Français. They toned it down over the years, but initially, they'd have really old-world royalty type presentations: a full-sized, taxidermied snow goose posing with the foie gras or a small tableau of a pheasant in fall plumage amid dry grasses gazing at the pheasant saucisson stuffed with pistachios, and so on. And highly polished silver everywhere. Glorious.

And there were two, multi-tiered dessert carts. I remember how much the wait staff enjoyed describing desserts -- at least to patrons who were clearly enjoying myself. I can still hear the voice of the French waiter saying to me and my friend, "... and then another layer of chocolate mousse, and another layer of meringue, and then another layer of chocolate mousse, and another..." Still makes me smile. No one had more fun serving an appreciative audience than the staff at Le Français.

justjoan wrote:on my one trip to le francais, i was pleasantly surprised at how un-snobby it was. yes, the presentations were very elaborate, but if one was seriously interested in the food, not just in being there to brag about it later- it was more a joyous collaboration of waiters' enthusiasm coupled with the customers' pleasure at being there. i felt completely comfortable; unlike many trendy restaurants where i don't. my 3 friends and i had hired a limo (!) to transport us both ways (as they are all serious wine drinkers), so we really could relax and enjoy ourselves, which didn't hurt. but i still feel the restaurant was as unpretentious as a place like that could be. nobody who worked there had an attitude- so common these days from some popular places, IMO. i had the best time....

I have been fortunate to dine in many fabulous restaurants in my life, but nothing was like Le Francais in the Banquet years… the food, 'the Show', the gracious service…

When we registered for Villeroy & Boch china for our wedding we wanted the 'large' dinner plates that Le Francais used for most courses, even dessert. There was no such plate, they used round platters for plates. IIRC one round platter was more expensive than a 5 piece place setting. And they probably used every pattern that V&B made, all mixed and matched.

Another great JB experience was La Mer, a seafood restaurant which he owned with Arnie Morton.

My memories are very good.
I'm a firm believer in 'You can't go Home Again'.-Richard

budrichard wrote:I'm a firm believer in 'You can't go Home Again'.-Richard

So am I. But the lesson I learned is, if there's a place you absolutely love, enjoy it as often as you can, as it might not be there forever. I knew that even then, and have no regrets about how I insisted on going back regularly, rather than as a "once in a lifetime" experience.

nsxtasy wrote:

budrichard wrote:I'm a firm believer in 'You can't go Home Again'.-Richard

So am I. But the lesson I learned is, if there's a place you absolutely love, enjoy it as often as you can, as it might not be there forever. I knew that even then, and have no regrets about how I insisted on going back regularly, rather than as a "once in a lifetime" experience.

No truer words spoken about a great restaurant.