Canaille on 5th Ave, Park Slope
We had a lovely dinner tonight at Canaille on 5th Avenue in Park Slope, in the former Red Cafe space. It's only been open for a week or so, but we didn't experience any brand new restaurant jitters, and the host was friendly and helpful.
For appetizer, we split a baby arugula salad with yellow & red beets, goat cheese, and lardons, which was peppery and fresh. I had the lamb chops with sauteed red new potatoes and haricots verts, and they were beautifully tender and flavorful; my SO had the steak frites, which, while a bit tough, was tasty. For dessert, we split the chocolate pot de creme, which was out of this world -- subtle chocolate flavor, light, and luscious. Also had a nice Cotes du Rhone. Cash only, but a very nice dining experience, and a lovely addition to 5th Ave. More casual and a more limited menu than Cocotte or AOC Bistro (our recent 5th Ave French go-to places), but we had a lovely meal and we'll definitely be back.
cbking
Oct 14, 2007 05:26PM
Has anyone else tried this place?
It was listed in the NYT's new openings section.
Permalink | Reply
Me an my son had a great first meal at Canaille. We had the split pea soup and lentils with sausage then braised short ribs and medallions of monkfish. Food was great, wine was wonderful, and the owner was friendly, funny, knowledgeable: a real pro. The pot de creme is amazing.
Permalink | Reply
Had a very good meal there tonight. We were one of only 2 tables (Sunday night at 7ish), and the service was very personable but not pushy. Had some very good onion soup, that same salad cbking described above, which was just what we were hoping it would be. We ordered the special, which was a very well-prepared roasted half chicken with mashed potatoes and haricots verts. Nothing groundbreaking, but it was perfectly done - crispy/tender and a very generous portion. The French disco was not great, but it did seem somehow more appropriate than the Neil Young that was playing when we first arrived. A good vibe all around. Oh, and the chocolate pot de creme was delicious. I was very impressed given how new this restaurant is.
Permalink | Reply
Had a great dinner the day after Thanksgiving, We started with the french onion soup,then steak frites very good very tender,no catsup needed on these frites.We followed by splitting the pot de creme very nice! My SO and I will return when we are in the slope again.
Permalink | Reply
Finally got to Canaille last night and the wife and I had a wonderful time. We arrived at about 8:30 and it was surprisingly crowded for a Wednesday night (and people continued to come in throughout the evening).
They started us off with a mussel and olive croquette as an amuse bouche and it was quite nice. I'm not used to fried mussels, so it was a bit different, but had a creamy almost cheesy texture to it in addition to the mussel flavor.
For apps, I had a "fish soup" special, which was described as like a bouillabaisse, only with the fish and seafood pureed. It reminded me of a bisque (but, I believe, without the cream) -- rich, but not overly so with a very nice flavor and some heat that was and not over powering. You assembled your own croûtons to dip into the soup by smearing a rouex topping with gruyere. You then, as one of the owners said "let it swim in the soup for a while and then scoop it up." It added a nice bit of crispiness and was a welcome addition.
My SO had the Salmon Tartare which was absolutely delicious.
For mains, I had braised rabbit with olives and boiled potatoes. Very meaty portion which was tasty. SO had the steak frite which was very good -- excellent frites, nicely seasoned steak. The tips were slightly tough (but only slightly) but the bulk of it was a terrific medium rare.
For dessert we split the molten chocolate (not sure if this is the same as the pot de creme) which was not overly sweet.
We had a nice light cotes du Rhone, as well as a muscat for dessert. (The husband owner mentioned that there are more wines than are indicated on the list.)
Services was great and the two owners are extremely friendly and welcoming.
All in all, a lovely meal and we will definitely be putting this into the rotation. A nice addition to the neighborhood given that I am less than enamored of most of the french options in the neighborhood (although Moutarde did seem to be coming around again.)
Permalink | Reply
I agree with the thrust of these comments. Canaille is a homey, comfortable room, not execssively loud, along classic French bistro lines. Appetizers and dessert looked to be $7-8, entrees under $20. I can vouch for the brandade and braised short rib (and the frites). The wine list is short but carefully selected from boutique type importers. (It reminded me of the list at 360.) There is some emphasis on the South of France, and more than enough choices at $30-40. Certainly worth a return visit.
Permalink | Reply
My husband and I love Canaille! We just moved into the neighborhood and were walking around and decided to try it a couple weeks ago. We returned this past Friday with a couple of friends. The ambience is nice, service is great, food is thoroughly homey and satisfying and the wine list is superb (be sure to ask if there are other wines by the glass and the owner will really wow you with his selections). Whether you want a light dinner of salad and moules frites or a heartier one of brandad and braised ribs, you will have a great meal.
Permalink | Reply