On this Election day I went with my boyfriend to one of my favorite restaurant in town. We could have been celebrating our new President but the real reason was to celebrate our 2 years anniversary.

We had a reservation at 8:30. We didn’t need one that night as we were one of 4 occupied tables. By the time we started to eat everyone was already gone!

My boyfriend was surprise by the very dense decor. I was not.

We are so brainwashed by the new “california hip restaurant” where everything is about big spaces, clean lines, and high ceilings. I am glad that Fleur de lys is not this cliché but more of what I remember of Les grandes tables Parisiennes. It’s sophisticated but not pompous (I had jeans on), it’s quiet - finally a place where you can have a conversation without having to scream at each others. To me a very romantic place.

I know that night was about gourmandise, decadence and indulgence of the taste buds. Yes, I knew the bill will be high but hey, how many time do you celebrate sharing your life with the most amazing person you’ve ever met? Exactly!

I didn’t have my camera that night scared to be disrupting the clientele with the flash, but when I saw that the restaurant was empty I almost cried and you will understand why in a second. (the pictures on this page were made with a camera-phone)

First cocktails

We studied the menu for about 20 minutes, helped by our waiter. We chose the 4 courses menu with wine pairing.

My menu:

Roasted Maine Lobster

Roasted Sea scallop with hazelnut crust

The boneless quail stuffed with Ris de veau

Cheese assortments

The boyfriend’s Menu:

Tasting of Alsatian choucroute

White and green asparagus salad

Salmon soufflé

Pan seared buffalo strip steak with rustic vegetables

We were served a few amuses bouche before our dinner extravaganza started. First a small cup of squash soup and a spoon of lentil salad. Just the first taste of the soup gave us the note for this dinner. It was so flavorful and so simple at the same time. Then, a shot glass layered with green peas purée, carrot purée, chilled and topped with creme fraiche and caviar. A bit of that and I had already forgotten my name! Our eyes rolling in our heads and with smiles from one ear to the other, William and I were having foodgasms!!!

Then came our first course. The lobster was one of the best dish I ever had. The perfectly cooked lobster was resting on a baby smooth purée of artichoke, lightly dressed with the best sauce I ever put in my mouth, drizzled with porcini oil. All the flavor were like a whole symphony in my mouth. I requested more bread because I couldn’t let a drop of that Godly juice go to waste. I would have licked the plate if I could have. But the bread helped get most of it out. I am going back over there soon just to get that dish again!!!!

The rest of the food was equally amazing. I was also very impressed with the quail. I could spend hours describing the whole experience but as all good love story, I leave it with a bit of mystery.

The service was outstanding. The Maitre D, Joseph, was as professional as can be and also a delight to talk to.

This dinner experience was for me one of the best of my restaurant career. It did help that Chef Hubert Keller came out to talk a bit with us. I was surprised but very happy to know that he is still in his kitchen. This is not so common once a Chef have become a renown and celebrity chef as Chef Keller.

Again, Chef Keller, thank you for your passion that I can taste in your food and the amazing experience that you and your staff gave us on our “special” night.

Summary: The food is outstanding, the service perfect, the decor - not for everyone! Bill for 2: $358.05 (not including tip)  A bit pricey but worth every penny! A must go on a special occasion!