Lunch at La Grenouille: what to order?

[preppie foodie]

I'm taking a dear friend to celebrate her 40th. Any suggestions or things to avoid? They got a solid review in the Times recently. Also, any sense of the wine list would be great as yes, it will be a nice long lunch!

[preppie foodie]

Update: Fantastic from start to finish. The service was amazing, it was as if they were mind readers, with perfect pacing and just the right amount of friendliness. Had the pate de campagne to start (excellent, so fresh), which came with a tangle of frisee, shaved cornichon and carrots as well as some crusty wheat toast, had the dover sole--fantastic! nutty light delicious, all that my fellow hounds promised, and ordered the chocolate souffle (sadly no caramel that day), friend had the mushroom risotto (another great call) followed by the chicken paillard (looked solid and well executed but not very remarkable), was brought delicious extra dessert (we shared the souffle) and also had typical little plate of petit fours/nuts. The only minor disappointment was the coffee (bland and not very strong). We had wines by the glass that were excellent and priced in line with any hotel/comparable restaurant. Two hours later, I floated out back to work. If you want to experience the vanishing world of formal French dining, this is the place to go.

[gutsofsteel]

...or go to Europe. :-)

[gutsofsteel]

Sweetbreads, frogs legs, calves liver, Dover sole, quenelles. souffle, Oeufs à la Neige

[serious]

had the calves liver, it was super.

[serious]

Had lunch there two weeks ago and quenelle are spectacular, not to be missed.

[mrsdebdav]

http://events.nytimes.com/2009/12/23/...

[MMRuth]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6667...

I highly recommend the Dover Sole, and the caramel souffle (if they have the latter).

I also mention the wine I had there on one of my visits.

Enjoy!

[fm1963]

I second the dover sole and souffles.

Also consider the mushroom risotto, pike quenelles, and oeufs a la neige.

[preppie foodie]

thanks MM Ruth! A great review and I am already praying they have the caramel souffle! Thank you too fm1963 and I will make sure to give a full report!