Le Canard Enchainé

Last weekend we had dinner in Paris, France. Well, not technically. But it was the next best thing. It felt like we were there anyway.

We had dinner at my absolute favorite Paris bistro, in New York. It is called Le Canard Enchainé. If it sounds familiar, it also happens to be the name of a French newspaper. The chef, who graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and a few of the wait staff are from France. This is one of the reasons we like dining there. It feels like an authentic Paris bistro – complete with real French accents. Not just English spoken wis ze French assent. Real French, right from France, which is great for setting the ambiance as well as giving us some practice with our French language skills( which of course are not in the forefront being that studiamo l’italiano).

From the outside, this looks like a traditional bistro that you might find strolling in the St. Germain des Prés or Latin Quarter in Paris. Red awnings, blackboard menus, large windows complete with gold script lettering, flowers and of course, a tiny outside table.

photo courtesy of Le Canard Enchaine

The inside has a totally authentic French feel, complete with a dark wood bar, red brick walls, tiny white tablecloth covered tables with candles, burgundy and cream tiled floors and a mélange of French posters and black and white photos that don the walls. There is a piano in the main room, because on the weekends there is a piano bar. How fun! The night we went, there was a French music CD wafting through the air, which just added to the experience.

The menu is typical yet creative and there are always prix-fixe specials available. The night we dined, we had the $25 prix-fixe, which included a starter and main course. I enjoyed the French onion soup, which rivaled anything I have had in Paris. The cheese was thick and gooey, with just the right amount of browned broiled goodness topping it. Chris had the celery potato soup, which was the perfect velvety texture and delicious as well.

Our main courses were Beef Bourguignon, with a red wine sauce that made every taste bud in my mouth stand at attention and sing alleluia and beef that was so tender it melted in my mouth! I have never tasted a sauce so wine-y, beef-y and delicious! Chris had the mushroom truffle ravioli with brandy cream sauce. The ravioli were stuffed so nicely he felt like he was eating meat and the cream sauce was very rich, but not overwhelmingly so. We both agreed these were the perfect dishes for a cold winter’s night.

The wine – outstanding! I had a Bordeaux, which really complemented my beef and Chris had a Pinot Grigio. Both were more than reasonable at $9 and $7, respectively.

For dessert, we shared a classic tarte tatin, with caramel, well, somewhere. Not sure if it was baked in or added after…but it was certainly there. I hate to say this, but this was the BEST tarte tatin I have ever had. In Paris or otherwise. Yea, it was that good. No wonder they are Zagat rated and featured in the New York Times.

Every time we come here, we always have a great experience. In true French fashion, we are never rushed, our meal is served at a leisurely pace, the waitstaff is fun but professional, and you will have to ask for your bill. Better yet we get an authentic French meal, complete with French hosts and hostesses, at a reasonable price. A little slice of Paris, in downtown Kingston, without having to spend a small fortune on the airfare and fork over those falling dollars which are worth next to nothing in France now anyway.

What more can a true francophile, longing for Paris ask for? Well, maybe some more of that tarte tatin…to go!

Le Canard Enchainé
276 Fair Street
Kingston, NY 12540
845.339.2003

TACE
March 12th, 2008
ohhhh that sounds like a lovely restaurant…but..hmmmm ya don’t KNOW if there was caramel baked or added or splashed or hidden in the tarte tatin…… Well I guess y’all will just have to investigate further…..Investigating the caramel….I wish I had that job…

Chouzy
March 13th, 2008
I would have chosen the same as Chris, but your selections sound yummy too. Hmmm….it’s too bad that restaurant isn’t a little closer to where I stay when I’m in N.Y.

bleeding espresso
March 13th, 2008
*sigh*
I hope you call me before you go next time….

Anne
March 13th, 2008
The restuarant looks delightful, just my sort of place..and the food mmmmmmmmmmm
just taste it now

My Melange
March 13th, 2008
TACE~ Yes. I will need to go right out, order another one and eat it sloooowly….just to research this question. I’ll get right on it
Chouzy~ It is worth the trip…not only from NY, but all the way from your neck of the woods
Sognatrice~ It would be my pleasure Matter of fact, my ladies group is going soon…so we’d love another bella donna to hang with. Come on by!
Anne~ I am glad it seems like your kinda joint! Too bad you don’t live closer

Milanese Masala
March 14th, 2008
Greetings from Italy! Just stopped by for some last-minute partying. You’re post reminded me about how great French food is (though my Italian husband would kill me if he ever heard me say it!) Can’t wait to try some Tarte Tatin when I go to Paris in May.

My Melange
March 15th, 2008
MM~ Oh, you lucky girl!!! You live in Italy and will go on vaycay to Paris in May!! Oh, how envious I am. Thanks for popping by…I’ll return the favor

Erin
March 17th, 2008
Okay, you just made my mouth water! I will have to add that restaurant to my list of places to visit if I ever visit New York…which I hope to do one day. What a wonderful review!

Kimberly Ann
March 17th, 2008
I’m full just from reading your fabulous descriptions. What a delicious meal.

le petit cabinet de curiosites
March 17th, 2008
At the time I lived in Rhinebeck , I missed my french food , there was not any good french restaurants in the aera !
Great to read it

My Melange
March 17th, 2008
Erin~ Love for you to come…I’ll take you!!
Kimberly Ann~ You have no idea how delicious
Mel~ Now there are several. One right in Rhinebeck, and of course this one, which is only about 15 minutes away. When you come for a visit…I will take you!!

Paris Parfait
March 21st, 2008
Sounds like a lovely place – especially nice that it’s so close to your home! No pesky airfares involved. xo

le petit cabinet de curiosites
June 27th, 2008
too bad there was not a french restaurant like that when I was in Rhinebeck . I missed so much my french food !
Now I know I can come back and live there

le petit cabinet de curiosites
June 27th, 2008
I may be sleepy when I wrote my last comment , I didn’t remember this post !!!I’m very silly . well I read your answer so I will come for sure

Denise
August 13th, 2010
Sounds sooo good! Jealous you live near NYC and all the great restaurants and history in that area! We have some good restaurants in Seattle but there is something about the east coast-much more European than way out west. Just reading a book with interviews of Italian Immigrants (now in their 90′s) who immigrated from Southern Italy to New Haven (like my dad!). You do know how lucky you are to being so much closer to Europe than we are?

anne
August 13th, 2010
Hi Robin … I would certainly call in here … looks a delightful little place .. I also love Tarte Tatin

I am off to France next week, No not just Paris, but down in the Lot area.. Cahors.. meeting up with another blogger.

See one of your comments is from a lady who lives in Italy and going to Paris , Imagine that!!