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| - On one of the first Springy Sundays of the year, my wife and I decided to try the brunch at Chez Nanou. We reserved a table, which was easy to do online, and we're greeted pleasantly at the door by the one server, who was doubling as a host. Other couples came in and we're able to find immediate seating. Apparently the word of brunch here is not out yet.
Let's start with the food because that's what matters. My wife ordered the Savoyarde crepes, which were delightfully creamy and rustic, though thicker than expected. Being buckwheat crepes, they were also gluten free, as were many of the offerings. We shared a cup of the soup du jour, which was stellar. As I am a lover of bread, I ordered the brioche French toast with apple cinnamon, and I haven't been able to forget it since the first bite. With just a hint of sweetness and spice, the bread was superb and tender, with just the right bit of crustiness from the pan. Served with a delicate creme fraiche and a nice sampling of honey, every bite was unique and marvelous. The apples tasted like they were exhumed from a fresh pie, cooked and seasoned perfectly. It was, without question, the best French toast I've ever had in a restaurant.
Chez Nanou, at first glance, seems hyper conscious of its Frenchness. It is a small space, bedecked with posters for wine and other sundries, photographs of romanticized lavender fields, and a gratuitous number of Provençal and Parisian scenes, including a watercolor of Le Moulin Rouge, indistinguishable from other watercolors of that spinning landmark. It's decidedly cheesy chezy, but there are minute, charming touches that make up for it. In the entryway, taped to an old world kitchen rack, is an enshrined empty bottle of a 1959 French vintage accompanied by typed letter in French from the patron who donated it explaining its provenance. Should you be curious as to the translation, grab one of the books from the Little Free French Library in the back, and practice at home, or over a plate of something delicious. Amusez-vous bien!
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