Chez Grace - Nouveau French Cuisine
| Address: | 89 2nd St # 3, Coralville, IA 52241, USA |
| Phone: | +1 319-338-1738 |
| Site: | chezgrace.com |
| Rating: | 4.9 |
| Working: | Closed Closed 5:30–9:30PM 5:30–9:30PM 5:30–9:30PM 5:30–9:30PM 5:30–9:30PM |
Location
Photos 22
Reviews 6
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Doug Bermingham
My wife and I went here for dinner on new years eve and tried the Chefs tasting menu which consisted of five courses: the fois gras, soup, salad, a main course, and the creme brulee dessert. The fois gras was incredible - never having tried it before, this was quite the treat. The soup, a butternut squash bisque, was also supreme. The salad was comprised of micro-greens, a goat cheese, and a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing which was quite tasty. The tomatoes in the salad were a little disappointing - they were mealy and seemed to have been refrigerated, a big no-no with tomatoes. For the main course I got sea scallops which were seared perfectly on the outside and not at all over-cooked. They were served with a gastrique - I believe it was a cherry gastrique - which paired well with the scallops but also tasted faintly like it had come out of a jar. This may simply be the result of the way chef David created the gastrique, but also detracted from my experience a bit. The dish was served with polenta and asparagus which were both done well. My wife ordered the filet mignon which came with a side of potatoes. The filet was cooked well but just a tidge over-done (nearing medium/medium-rare), and the potatoes were incredible. Still, we felt the dish was a bit lacking and could have used another side - some sauteed greens or mushrooms. The creme brulee was also quite good - the custard was cold, the dish was warm, and the carmelized sugar was crackable and tasty. A bit small, but good. Overall, this was a good experience. Chef David waited on all tables and was knowledgeable about wine pairings. He let us take our time (dinner took 2.5 hours, and is reminiscent of eating dinner in Europe!), and the atmosphere was intimate and quiet. Our major complaint was the price of the food - the food *is* good, but my wife and I both felt it was overpriced. I would give this 5 stars if the price came down, or if the plates were a bit more complete. Having said that, if you have money to burn and want an intimate, leisurely dinner with good food and a friendly and skilled chef, Chez Grace is a winner.
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A Private User
Chez Grace offers one of THE BEST if not the best dining experiences in Iowa City. The food is executed perfectly. Portion sizes are appropriate and the ingredients used are all high end quality, organic, and fresh. This is not your typical run of the mill restaurant or chain high end steak house. This is a fine dining experience that can only be rivaled by the upper end of restaurants in large cities. This type of restaurant is perfect for celebrations or big nights out. Dont head to Chez Grace expecting huge portions or cheap food. The dishes are works of art. I highly recommend doing the chef tasting menu (6 courses for $60-80 depending on whether or not you get the more expensive meats). This is the best option for dining at Chez Grace as you will be able to try so many wonder dishes that Chef David prepares for you personally. Dishes typically range from $30-40 and do not include a first course or dessert so the Chefs taster menu is a steal. The food quality rivals that of restaurants in Chicago / New York / LA (any large metro area) that charge $150+ per degustation. I am sure there are provincial reviewers and patrons in Iowa City who will be turned off by the higher prices than they are accustomed to but for the personal service, high end gourmet food quality, and wonderful ambiance, Chez Grace offers a fine dining experience that cannot be rivaled without paying twice the price and heading to a major metro area. Its well worth the price. Highly recommend the seared foie gras, magret de canard, black truffle gnocchi potato leek soup, steak au poivre, and the roasted organic beet salad, and halibut with gnocchi and butternut squash.
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Josh L
My wife and I were fans of Chef Zs former restaurant, Cafe Z, and Chez Grace is just as great. Chef Z (David) truly cares about his customers and each visit to his restaurant feels more like visiting a friend who happens to be an incredible chef than going to a restaurant. The decor is elegant and the food is, quite simply, the best I have had anywhere. I want to be clear here: I dont mean the best food of a certain type; I mean that Chef Z creates the most delicious food I have ever eaten. The menu is small, but every item on it is worth eating. I usually have the "Z Salad" which is served perfectly dressed and with an amazing goat cheese. I generally choose the Steak Au Poivre for my main course, though I tried the duck on my last visit and was blown away, then finish things up with an expertly prepared Crem Brulee. Chez Grace is not a typical restaurant in that the portions are reasonable rather than oversized. There are certainly cheaper dining options in town. Still, you can eat here for less than a comparable meal at somewhere like Josephs downtown and the food here is so much better. It is a very small restaurant with less than ten tables, so I highly recommend reservations. Still, if you are at all interested in trying truly gourmet cuisine made by a master chef without going to a big city, give Chez Grace a try. You wont regret it.
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Isaac F.
As someone whos been lucky enough to dine in some of the worlds most famous food regions, I can assure you that Chef Davids restaurant, Chez Grace, is simply world class. The most iconic French classics, including (but not limited to) foie gras, steak au poivre, and crème brûlée, are prepared to perfection. The food here is Michelin quality; it truly compares to some of the finer restaurants in France, where one may pay significantly higher prices (although this place certainly is not cheap). I am typically reluctant to give high praise to restaurants, but my experiences here have been so pleasant (which doesnt just include the food; the setting is a combination of intimate and sophisticated, and Chef David is quite friendly, passionate, and interesting to talk to) that I felt I had to write this review. Iowa City area residents are so lucky to have this jewell of a restaurant.
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A Private User
This place is incredible. The guy who owns and operates this place excels at his crafts. I say crafts because not only does he prepare your food, but he serves you, and sits you at a table. A truly unique experience that you will not find anywhere else. As someone who has sampled from great restraunts in Chicago and Napa Valley, Chez Grace has unmatched quality in food, service, and atmosphere, that you can find locally. Be sure to check them out on Sundays, as there isnt a cork fee! My wife and I are now making it a point to have a meal here every month.
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A Private User
We have enjoyed two very excellent meals at Chez Grace. The owner/chef is very accommodating.....pleasing his customers is his first priority. He has created a very elegant atmosphere...one of the few area restaurants with table linens, and a quiet room. The menu is small, but everything we have tasted is delicious and well prepared. The portions are exactly right.....not the inappropriately enormous plates that have become the norm elsewhere. It has definitely become one of our top choices in the Iowa City/Coralville area.
