FRENCH
Bistro
Zinc
56 Church St., Lenox, Mass., (413) 637-8800. This elegant
restaurant in the heart of Lenox serves simple, French-inspired
bistro food such as steak, grilled duck, roast chicken and
seafood, with desserts by an in-house pastry chef. Full
bar. Reservations suggested. Serving lunch 11:30-3, dinner
5:30-10 daily. AE, MC, V. $$$$
Chez Pierre
Route 9, Wilton, 793-3350. www.chezpierre restaurant.com.
Dinners in the classic French manner, including sole Marguery,
veal Oscar and steak au poivre. Full bar, banquet facilities.
Serving dinner 5:30-10 Tue-Fri, 5-10 Sat, 5-9 Sun. Closed
Mon. Reservations suggested on weekends. Racing season schedule
5-10 seven days a week. AE, MC, V. $$$$
Chez Sophie Bistro
534
Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 583-3538, www.chezsophie.com.
Chef Paul Parker continues the traditions of his late mother
Sophie by serving inventive seasonal cuisine based on locally
grown organic ingredients. He and his wife and partner,
Cheryl, maintain a cellar with 400 French wines and three
dozen Belgian-style beers. Their new venue features a piano
bar, fireplace, sculpture garden with outdoor dining and
private dining rooms. Wine Enthusiast Award of Distinction
winner. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner.
Three-course prix-fixe option for $28 offered Mon-Thu except
in July and August. Reservations recommended. Serving breakfast,
lunch and dinner 7 days a week and Sunday brunch. $$$
Inn at Erlowest
3178 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George, 668-5928. www.theinnaterlowest.com.
Eclectic regional cuisine with a strong French influence
served in an intimate dining room in a 100-year-old castle.
Chef Ray Bohmer specializes in innovative interpretations
of local ingredients, utilizing his own garden as well as
local farmers markets. Signature dishes include bison tartare,
butter-braised lobster and cote de boeuf; also creative
salads with copious fresh greens and herbs, and house-made
soups, breads and desserts. Full bar, on-premises catering
with a 300-person capacity ballroom. Reservations strongly
recommended. Closed Mon and Tue, dinner 5:30-9:30 Wed-Sun.
AE, MC, V. $$$$
Nicole’s Bistro at the Quackenbush House
25 Quackenbush Square, Albany, 465-1111. www.nicolesbistro.com.
Dinner is served with a decidedly French flair in Albany’s
oldest historic building. The menu is noted for traditional
dishes including rack of lamb, roast duckling and steak
au poivre, as well as a fair-weather menu. Also features
contemporary menu items. Prix Fixe two-course lunch ($14.95)
and three-course dinner menus ($26) are available. Enjoy
summer dining in the fabulous garden. Full bar, banquet
facilities and private rooms for any occasion. Serving lunch
11:30-4 Mon-Fri; dinner 5-10 Mon-Sat. Reservations suggested.
AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$
Pangaea
1-3 Prospect St., North Bennington, Vt., (802) 442-7171.
Offering a wide array of multi-ethnic cuisine with the emphasis
on French. Separate lounge offers lower-priced menu items.
Large outdoor terrace. Fine wine selection and full bar.
Off-premises catering and takeout available. Serving 5 PM-close
Tue-Sun. Closed Mon. AE, MC, V. $$$$
Paul’s
72 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa, 884-0281. Eclectic cuisine
leaning toward French, but especially popular for its fresh
seafood dishes with special sauces. Full bar, banquets for
up to 100. Serving Tue-Sat 5-9. Closed Sun-Mon. AE, D, MC,
V. $$$
Provence
Stuyvesant Plaza, Guilderland, 689-7777, www.provence-restaurant.net.
Serving traditional and contemporary Southern French and
Mediterranean cuisine. Experience fine dining in true French-bistro
style with such classic dishes as bouillabaisse, roasted
duck and steak frites. Enjoy professional and friendly
service, an open kitchen featuring daily specials, a full
custom-made zinc bar and award-winning wine list in a beautiful,
casually elegant French setting. Serving lunch 11-3 Mon-Sat,
dinner 5-close Mon-Sat, dinner 4:30-close Sunday. Bar menu
3 PM-close Mon-Sat. Patio dining from April to October (may
be extended, now heated). Reservations recommended. AE,
D, DC, MC, V. $$$
Rouge
3 Center St., West Stockbridge, Mass., (413) 232-4111, www.rougerestaurant.com.
William Merelle is the chef and owner of this quintessential
French bistro in the Berkshires. Among the entrées is the
house favorite, braised duck with shredded potato cake and
rosemary balsamic vanilla sauce. Tapas served at the bar.
Takeout available. Serving dinner 5-10 Wed-Sat. AE, MC,
V. $$$
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