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. $$$$
Brix Wine Bar
40 West St., Pittsfield, Mass., (413) 236-9463, brixwinebar.com.
Designed as a wine bar and bistro in the European tradtition
(complete with a Parisian-style zinc bar), Brix offers more
than 120 wines as well as classic bistro fare such as grilled
marinated lamb chops, steak frites, and duck confit over
sweet potato puree. Full bar. No reservations. Serving 5-10
Sun, Tue-Thu; 5-10:30 Fri-Sat. Closed Mondays. AE, MC, V.
$$$
Chez Pierre
979 Route 9, Gansevoort, 793-3350, chezpierrerestaurant.com.
Dinners in the classic French manner, including sole Marguery,
veal Oscar and steak au poivre. Full bar, banquet facilities.
Serving dinner 5-10 Tue-Sat, 5-9 Sun. Closed Mon. Reservations
suggested on weekends. AE, MC, V. $$$$
Chez Sophie Bistro
534
Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 583-3538, chezsophie.com. Chef
Paul Parker continues the traditions of his late mother
Sophie by serving inventive seasonal cuisine based on locally
grown organic ingredients. He and his wife, Cheryl, maintain
a cellar with 400 French wines and three dozen Belgian-style
beers. Their new venue features a piano bar, fireplace,
a view of the sculpture garden, and private dining rooms.
Wine Enthusiast Award of Distinction winner. Wine
Spectator Award of Excellence winner. Three-course prix-fixe
option for $30 offered Mon-Thu except in July and August.
Reservations recommended. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
7 days a week, plus Sat-Sun brunch. $$$
Inn at Erlowest
3178 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George, 668-5928, theinnaterlowest.com.
Eclectic regional cuisine with a strong global influence
served in an intimate dining room in a 100-year-old castle.
Certified master chef Dale Miller specializes in innovative
interpretations of local ingredients, utilizing his own
garden as well as local farmers markets. Signature dishes
include miso-glazed black cod, butter-braised lobster and
bone-in filet mignon; 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. Dinner from
5:30 PM Wed-Sun. Open seven days in season. AE, MC, D, V.
$$$$
Le Canard Enchainé Brasserie
25 Quackenbush Square, Albany, 465-1111. Chef-owner Jean-Jacques
Carquillat has run a successful restaurant of the same name
in Kingston since 1996; now he brings his expertise in traditional
French country fare to the historic Quackenbush House. Specials
change daily according to season, with an emphasis on local
and organic ingredients; menu mainstays include roasted
Long Island duck with orange sauce and trout almondine.
Full bar, extensive wine list. Serving lunch 11-4 Mon-Sat,
dinner 5-10 Mon-Sat. Closed Sunday. Reservations suggested.
AE, D, MC, V. $$$$
Provence
Stuyvesant Plaza, Guilderland, 689-7777, provence-restaurant.net.
Serving traditional and contemporary Southern French and
Mediterranean cuisine. Experience fine dining in true French-bistro
style with such classic dishes as bouillabaisse, roasted
duck and steak frites. Enjoy professional and friendly
service, an open kitchen featuring daily specials, a full
custom-made zinc bar, and award-winning wine list in a beautiful,
casually elegant French setting. Serving lunch 11-3 Mon-Sat,
dinner 5-close Mon-Sat, dinner 4:30-close Sunday. Bar menu
available 11-close. Reservations recommended. AE, D, MC,
V. $$$
Rouge
3 Center St., West Stockbridge, Mass., (413) 232-4111, 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. Reservations for four or more. Serving
dinner 5-10 Wed-Sun. AE, MC, V. $$$
The Wine Bar & Bistro
200 Lark St., Albany, 463-2881. European-style bistro offering
chef Kevin Everleth’s inventive cuisine and more than 60
wines by the glass. Dine inside or under the stars in the
charming backyard patio. Wine and beer, on-premises catering,
takeout available. Serving 5 PM-close daily. AE, D, MC,
V, ATM/Debit. $$