Café de France
| Address: | 526 S Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA |
| Phone: | +1 407-647-1869 |
| Site: | lecafedefrance.com |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | Closed 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
GA
Gabriel Medina
Excellent French cuisine and great service...and theyve been on Park Ave since 1982! Now I know why. :) My fiancé and I booked a reservation almost a month in advance with a French foodie/chef friend during a weeknight (they arent open on Sundays). They are located fairly close to BurgerFi and Maestros. Upon arrival we were greeted promptly and seated by the window. The French music and decor both give it a warm and quaint atmosphere. Their wine selection is very unique. Im a wine enthusiast and was impressed by the unique varietals listed in the French wine section, beyond your typical Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir. We selected a 2014 Chateau Laplagnotte-Bellevue Bordeaux, which was elegant, full of dark berries and had a smooth finish; a perfect pairing to a wide array of foods...including red meats. We ordered a cheeseboard that had 3 delicious cheeses, with nuts and grilled French bread with butter. We also had a few slices of warm French bread and butter on the side. (Cue Oprahs "I love bread" commercial. Thats me.) Also, we had an order of the Tarine, which had Pâté, Cornichons, Dijon mustard & baguette. Not my favorite item, but you always have to try something new to have the best experiences. ;-) For our main course, I ordered the filet mignon, while my friend and fiancé both ordered the coq au vin (chicken marinated & slow cooked in red wine). Both were fantastic! The filet had the most delicious white cream sauce on top that I couldnt get enough of. It came with a couple of roasted potatoes and green beans. The coq au vin was downright comfort food. Imagine a French version of Shepherds Pie, but with red wine and chicken. So good!!! Lastly, we each ordered different desserts. I ordered the profiteroles, our friend had the fondant chocolate cake and my fiancé had the tarte tartin. All were excellent, though the tarte was probably my favorite. The chocolate cake was very rich but not very sweet. I couldve eaten all 3 but I needed to fit into my car comfortably afterwards. I will definitely come back, and likely for a special occasion or for lunch. Prices are on the higher side, but you never feel rushed...just like in many European restaurants. I admire and appreciate restaurants that let you enjoy the experience at your own pace. Merci!
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Joseph Hayes
This small café opened in 1982 to critical acclaim and has been a lone mainstay in a very changeable scene. Dominique Gutierrez and her husband, German, have owned the café since 86. Gutierrez was born in the Vendée region of western France, a place known for its rolling river valley, superbly tasty ducks, seaside resorts and a capital, La Roche-sur-Yon, that the 1854 guide A Handbook for Travellers in France, proclaimed, “In the midst of a district of barren open heath, it stands about the dullest town in France.” Things have probably improved since the Crimean War days. This is not the butter-and-cream-rich cuisine of the classical French, nor olive and herb-y Mediterranean fare, but simple and subtle dishes with a measured approach to seasoning and combinations of flavors that define the word elegant. The food is not of a specific region, but of this specific restaurant. The menu changes every six months. The paté varies and is made fresh every day. The bread reappears as long thin croutons served alongside a beautiful bowl of moules marinières, plump black Canadian mussels steamed with finely diced shallots, white wine and cream. The grilled bread adds a perfect smoky char to the velvet sauce, which you will devour completely after eating the shellfish. It is a brilliant dish. Followed by more brilliance. Demi canard roti, a slow-roasted glazed duck, is rich and savory from the oven, served with butter-roasted Brussels sprouts and a delightful pumpkin flan drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Gutierrez et son mari are serving a third generation of their customers, as sons and daughters who first came as children bring their own children to dine. Café de France is a treasure.
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A Private User
Food was good but not great. We had reservations for a group of 9. Staff was impolite and actually asked one of our dinner party members to be quiet while he spoke about their "specials". The staff did not seem to be very interested in working or taking care of our table. I guess the guaranteed gratuity doesnt inspire the staff to work very hard, maybe they should change that. Most of the entree portion sizes are relatively small, but we waited so long between our appetizer and entree that we were all starving by the time it came. Overall I would say from my experience I wont be going back. There are to many great restaurants in this town to waste your time there..
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K Holden
The food was good, not enough however. The service was terrible. Felt like discrimination. The owner had to double check the book when we walked in to over ensure we had reservations. Everyone else walking in was greeted with many smiles and hand shakes. The server didnt checked on the table. Everyone kept walking by as if they assumed we wouldnt tip so they werent going to serve us. So saaaadddd....It was Valentines Day.. Never going back thats for sure. We tipped them any way just to show them not everyone is Rogue. I guess you can tell, I am African American and proud! !!
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Sunny Heaven
I took my husband there for his birthday couple of months ago, we were very pleased with the service of Cafe de France, we had a nice hostess, and we came in with a baby, and they treated us like we have been going there forever though it was our first time. I love the homeness yet elegance that we felt. Food was very good, paté was awesome, we had Sherry, it nice and cold. Thank you guys for an awesome service, we enjoyed ourselves.
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Trisan Heintzelman
Wonderful. Our waiter David never let our drinks go below half full. He told us the specials promptly, checked on us several times to make sure it was good. I had the duck, which was delicious and tender. It came with sweet potato and apple fennel straw. It was absolutely delicious. The only bad thing is the bathrooms could use some work. But that has 0 impact on the food or quality of service. 9/10.
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A Private User
Recently went here for lunch. Seated promptly indoors, as all the outdoor tables were full. Ordered the escargot for appetizer- absolutely perfectly done! Their mushroom-burgundy soup was odd, since I didnt expect it to be smooth, but it was delicious. I had the Duck Salad, which was wonderful. Waiters were polite and attentive. I think that this may be one of my new favorite places to dine out!
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Stephany Madsen
All the food here is excellent and their soups are amazing! I even love their soups made with ingredients I dont usually like! The small sidewalk dining area is lovely in fine weather with great people watching. Love their crepes, mussels, Coq au Vin and beef Bourgignonne. Thoughtful wine list.
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Jason Gulledge
after living in france for years, you become skeptical of french "diners" in the USA but this is the real McCoy. the service is typically french. they wont hover over you like American style diners. they wont rush you either. Expect a French style here. most importantly, the food is amazing.
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Anne Murdaugh
Delicious, well cooked food. The ambiance needs a rethink though- they are going for a fine-dining atmosphere, but when the menus have water marks and the toilet is clogged, it colors the experience. If the prices were about 15% less, Id overlook the tired decor and give it 5 stars.
