July 14, Bastille Day, is to France what the Fourth of July is to the United States. Although the years that followed were horrible for the French--the birth of the republic was long and difficult, and the Bastille was a prison--it's always celebrated by French people and Francophiles everywhere else in the world.
Le Foret's name alone points to a French heritage, but it's very much a New Orleans restaurant, too. Think of it as a modern-day Antoine's or Arnaud's. They are holding a truly spectacular French feast--including exclusively French wines--for Bastille Day, with Chef Brandon Felder presenting this menu:
Caramelized Onion Tart
Duck ham and duck rillettes
Wine: Brüt Rosé, Cremant De Bourgogne, Vineaut-Alberti
Court-Bouillon En Papillote
Gulf fish, seared shrimp, oysters, mussels and seasonal vegetables
Wine: Bourgogne, Saint Veran, Joseph Drouhin 2012
Escargots
White wine, garlic and fresh herbs
Wine: Bourgogne, La Combe Chardonnay, Domaine Maroslavac, Puligny Montrachet 2011
Rustic Rabbit Cassoulet
Mirepoix, offal, tomato confit
Wine: Bourgogne, Vieilles Vignes, Maison Roche De Bellene 2011
Steak Au Poivre
Cognac pepper sauce, truffled steak frites
Wine: Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine De Le Solitude 2010
Fromages de la Belle France
Wine: Bordeaux, Listrac-Medoc, Chateau Clarke, Baron Edmond De Rothschild 2009
Blueberry crepe
Vanilla ice cream
The dinner is Monday, July 14, 6:30 p.m. The price for NOMenu readers is $140 per person, inclusive. That's up there, but relative to the food and especially the wines, it's better than a fair deal. I am pulling a small table for the Eat Club, and if you'd like to join me please let the restaurant know at the number below. Reservations are required.
Le Foret
CBD: 129 Camp. 504-553-6738. www.leforetneworleans.com.
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