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| - Let me tell you a little something about Le Chardonnay: I have not stopped feeling warm and fuzzy about my experience there, and that was three days ago. I wouldn't say that it's a "hidden gem," because it's really in plain view on W. Johnson....but I just don't hear many people talk about it or how completely amazing it is.
It is a little plain jane from the outside, but the inside has warm wood accents, and is pretty and comfortable. We had reservations at 6:30 on a Friday night (and I'd probably recommend you doing the same), and were seated right away. We had a very jovial waiter who chatted us up about the weather, etc, but it didn't come off as awkward or like he was trying too hard. It was natural and pleasant.
This is an appropriate time to mention: Le Chardonnay is the most well-oiled machine I've ever witnessed. They had an unassuming bus boy milling about (but not in the way or imposing by any means), and as soon as you were done with a dish--bam! It was gone! Moments later, the waiter would reappear with your salad or entree or whatever. He even dropped by once to refill my fiance's wine glass for him. That's service.
The food was fabulous, plain and simple. A crusty french bread is served first with a nothing-short-of-miraculous spread consisting of garlic, carrots, and cumin. It's buttery and delicious and you won't miss the real butter at all. Your bread is then followed up by a mixed spring greens salad that isn't even mentioned in the menu (a very happy surprise to me, anyway). We both got the Dieppoise, which is an assortment of seafood served over pappardelle pasta, smothered in a sinful saffron-cognac cream sauce. I might not be able to pronounce "Dieppoise," but I have developed a Pavlovian response to the way the word looks. We followed dinner up with a piece of Tiramisu, which was only okay...but it didn't matter, because everything else was on a plane of existence where little cartoon birds are always fluttering overhead. Also, I should mention that we got an excellent bottle of French Pinot Noir for $34. None too shabby.
As I was leaving, the bus boy got my coat and PUT IT ON ME. That was new. And awesome.
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