Just FAB

Celebration for a good friend's birthday began with a few very well made martinis at Manuel's Tavern (Yes, martinis at Manuels!). And then off to FAB - French American Brasserie. It is the new incarnation of Brasserie le Coze which formerly resided at Lenox Mall. The boy and I are fond of the old version, and I was looking forward to the new location downtown and revisiting some french favorites.

We had:

First course

Ahi tuna carpaccio (ABOVE - actually a carpaccio whereas too frequently it is called this on menus but you are actually served a tartare or just slices of sushi grade tuna)

Escargots a la bourguignonne (RIGHT - I love these; their preperation was parfait!)

Fois gras au torchon, brioche croute, pickled bing cherries and vanilla scened gastrique (sigh. It's fois gras, so it's awesome, but with the cherries especially, and a lovely glass of sauternes the waiter brought...it was just beautiful.)

Main course
10 oz Mishimi Wagyu Flank Steak with Frites

10 oz Mishimi Wagyu Flank Steak Perigueux with seared fois gras, asparagus, truffle whipped potatoes, black truffles, and Madeira sauce ( the steaks were perfectly cooked and melt in your mouth - the frites sinfully crisp and rich, the truffle whipped potatoes disgustingly good...I almost licked my friends bowl clean...)

Flounder and Manila clams, jerusalem artichoke, pancetta ragout and Pernod Broth with garlic frites on the side (I never order the humble flounder or clams for that matter, but I adore pancetta and J artichoke, and quite frankly was intrigued by the combination of such earthy flavors with fishies and a pernod borth...my curiosity was rewarded with a complexity, tenderness and nouveau preperation...I enjoyed it wholeheartedly)

With the meal we had a bottle of Bourgogne Faiveley 2004. Good. Perfect with our meal.

Dessert was a creme brulee, pistachio profiteroles, cafe au lait, cappucino and a glass of port.

The service was outstanding. The decor charming and very french bistro...supercool black and white movies played at a small set at the bar. We were itnrigued. The ladies room was strangely located on the fourth floor, but it was lovely and we really look forward to when the rooftop bar opens...we shall be back.

OOOOOhhhh! So nice and happy. Didn't even want a night cap afterwards...went home and straight to bed to rub my belly and contemplate its contents.****