brunch in SoNo - french bistro?

[bexfx]

any recommendations for nice sunday brunch in South Norwalk, CT? my in-laws are coming to town. i've heard terrible things about brewhouse brunch, but that seems to be the only one talked about here.

anyone made it to the new french bistro on south main? do they do brunch? i couldn't find a website for them yet. my husband looooves french, not my favorite. if you have been - is there anything to tempt non-franco-cuisine-o-philes? thx!

[SweetPea914]

Mario Molliere is the chef. A quick google search brought up this NYT article about his Ridgefield restaurant. No Michelin reference that I saw. http://events.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/...

[jfood]

Thanks SweetPea914, guess the little one is up early today.

Another google search with the link:

http://www.lasaliere-restaurant.com/r...

gave the following info

"Owner/Cheif Mario Molliere, who came to the United States from Paris, had a three-year apprenticeship with Paul Bocuse in Paris, and won a "best apprentice award" during his training period. He assisted in the opening of the Michelin 3-star restaurant, Fauchon, and other restaurants before coming to the United States in 1995. He was the chef at Luc's Cafe, and became a partner with owner Herve Aussavis to open La Saliere Brasserie three years ago"

So he has worked in 3-star but was not the executive chef so stating that he is a "3 star michelin master chef" seems to be a huge stretch. Will wait for other posters to compare to Boulud, and in jfood's estimation that is probably a huge reach as well, but willing to try and listen.

[SweetPea914]

Sadly no, I wasn't up for the little one, but for a very early Dr. appt in Greenwich, then on to Stamford for a marathon holiday shopping spree! The upshot of the day was I got my morning coffee and a very nice little roll with raisins and a touch of cinnamon at Garelick and Herbs on Putnam. I had totally forgotten about that place and will be returning whenever in CT to pick dinner up on the way home!

Thanks for the additional info on Molliere, I had to run and didn't have time to properly research it myself. We have plans to do a movie and dinner next weekend (in SoNo since the grandparents will babysit) and I'm very interested in trying this place.

VEGAS - What do you prefer about Bistro du Soleil?

[vegas]

the new place is called Brasserie Molliere Rotisserie, by the owners of La Saliere Brasserie in Ridgefield

IMO, not as good as Bistro du Soleil

[SweetPea914]

Brewhouse is pretty bad, avoid at all costs! I'm forced into going about once a year with picky family that will only do buffet brunch and 2 of which only eat chicken. This year it's the Red Barn (ick!) since even they didn't like the Brewhouse last year, and the service was beyond terrible.

If you try the new French bistro, please report back. I think we're having dinner in SoNo next weekend and I would like to try something new.

[redfox697]

Granted I've never been for brunch, but I rather like the Brewhouse for lunch and after-work drinks. Shame about the brunch, good to know.

[SweetPea914]

REdfox,
I have been there for dinner/drinks and enjoyed it. As far as buffet brunches go I have been ones where the food was worse, My biggest complaint is that it is just too crowded, and they do seatings twice only so the waitresses end up overwhelmed with all tables being seated at the same time. I had to practically beg for a glass of water the last 2 times we were there for brunch!

[jfood]

jfood passed the new french bistro on North main, next to discala & bros law firm. it did not appear to be open just yet, but looked totally ready to start.

Double F - Bistro du Soleil is on Washington, next to Pasta Nostra/PH. There is a new French Bistro around the corner across from the defunct furniture store.

Other good news for the 'hood is Carambola (the Indian place in Darien) is opening a second location next to Pasta Nostra as well. Saw the little sign up there last week when jfood went for a apizza at Starda 18.

[redfox697]

I thought it was going to be Coromandel...?

[sonofoodie]

jfood...I think you might mean Coromandel for the Indian restaurant in SoNo. By the way...where is this French Bistro opening? Is it where the Rattlesnake used to be?
(always something happening down there) Thanks again for your input.

[redfox697]

It is indeed where Rattlesnake used to be. Walked by there a few hours ago, the prices look to be in line with the rest of the restaurants on the scene.

[jfood]

jfood does mean Coromandel, just can't remember names all that well, hence the reference to Darien. Sorry for the confusion.

Yup, Rattlesnake moved from the corner and was hissss-tory

[MommaJ]

So I wonder what became of the bar? I want it.

[sonofoodie]

I have never been to Bistro du Soleil, not even for dinner, but they do serve brunch. The menu looks good, and hopefully a chowhound can report back and give you a rating. Here's a link to their brunch menu page:

http://www.bistrodusoleilsono.com/bru...
If you go, let us know how it was.

[Foodie Fairfield]

I've heard BJ Ryan's does a good brunch...not quite in SoNo, but close enough.

BJ Ryan's
57 Main Street
Norwalk, CT
http://www.bjryans.com/