Given that it was the first night that we had the luxury to dine out, we decided to give Lavendou, a family-style French restaurant located in North Dallas a try. After all, it was reviewed as one of the better French restaurant in the vicinity.
While we were initially slightly disappointed to note that the restaurant was not packed on a Friday night (especially since the review said that “…the restaurant has been open nearly a decade, its popularity seems to have hardly waned, judging by the crowds during a weekend dinner.” ), we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a French-speaking waitress and to hear a table speaking French in one corner. I suppose, if the French were frequenting that place, the food should be rather authentic. And, we were right.
Given that it was the first night that we had the luxury to dine out, we decided to give Lavendou, a family-style French restaurant located in North Dallas a try. After all, it was reviewed as one of the better French restaurant in the vicinity.
While we were initially slightly disappointed to note that the restaurant was not packed on a Friday night (especially since the review said that “…the restaurant has been open nearly a decade, its popularity seems to have hardly waned, judging by the crowds during a weekend dinner.” ), we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a French-speaking waitress and to hear a table speaking French in one corner. I suppose, if the French were frequenting that place, the food should be rather authentic. And, we were right.
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For starters, we had the French onion soup and escargots served in Burgundy style. Personally I think that good onion soup is a rarity (even those in Paris was not exactly satisfying), and the one from Lavendou certainly impressed me. I particularly loved the thick blanket of Gruyere cheese that practically encrusted the whole bowl, and the nice herby broth.
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For starters, we had the French onion soup and escargots served in Burgundy style. Personally I think that good onion soup is a rarity (even those in Paris was not exactly satisfying), and the one from Lavendou certainly impressed me. I particularly loved the thick blanket of Gruyere cheese that practically encrusted the whole bowl, and the nice herby broth.
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The escargots were similarly well prepared. Served piping hot in a bath of parsley garlic butter, the snails were succulent and flavorsome.
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The escargots were similarly well prepared. Served piping hot in a bath of parsley garlic butter, the snails were succulent and flavorsome.
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For the main course, I had the veal medallion sautéed with mushrooms in Port sauce while Minghao had the rack of lamb in rosemary juice. The veal was tender and was well accompanied by the rich creamy port-mushroom sauce. And, I absolutely loved the roasted potatoes at the side that I even ate up Minghao’s share. They were just so soft and smooth.
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For the main course, I had the veal medallion sautéed with mushrooms in Port sauce while Minghao had the rack of lamb in rosemary juice. The veal was tender and was well accompanied by the rich creamy port-mushroom sauce. And, I absolutely loved the roasted potatoes at the side that I even ate up Minghao’s share. They were just so soft and smooth.
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Minghao also enjoyed his rack of lamb, though admittedly, it still failed in comparison with that from Singapore’s Ember restaurant in Hotel 1929.
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Minghao also enjoyed his rack of lamb, though admittedly, it still failed in comparison with that from Singapore’s Ember restaurant in Hotel 1929.
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We also ordered their famous soufflé for dessert, and it did not fail to live up to our expectation. In fact, it could be ranked as one of the best chocolate soufflés we have had, together with the soufflé from the Chocolate Factory in Singapore. Actually, the soufflé fom Lavendou was more scrumptious than the one in Chocolate Factory, but unfortunately the molten chocolate that was poured into the puffy baked dessert could certainly be better. I suppose, it is hard for a family-style restaurant to beat a chocolatier when it comes to making chocolate.
Overall, it was a great dining experience. The service was impeccable; our water was always refilled on time, and the waiter also did a good job in recommending the wine. This is certainly a restaurant that we would visit again.
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We also ordered their famous soufflé for dessert, and it did not fail to live up to our expectation. In fact, it could be ranked as one of the best chocolate soufflés we have had, together with the soufflé from the Chocolate Factory in Singapore. Actually, the soufflé fom Lavendou was more scrumptious than the one in Chocolate Factory, but unfortunately the molten chocolate that was poured into the puffy baked dessert could certainly be better. I suppose, it is hard for a family-style restaurant to beat a chocolatier when it comes to making chocolate.
Overall, it was a great dining experience. The service was impeccable; our water was always refilled on time, and the waiter also did a good job in recommending the wine. This is certainly a restaurant that we would visit again.
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Maria’s Bakery (117 S. Central Expwy, Richardson, TX 75080, phone: 972-90-2908)
Yummy egg tarts. $1.80 each or $10.89 for a dozen.
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Maria’s Bakery (117 S. Central Expwy, Richardson, TX 75080, phone: 972-90-2908)
Yummy egg tarts. $1.80 each or $10.89 for a dozen.
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Me taking photos on our ride to the egg tart store
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Me taking photos on our ride to the egg tart store
