France is for Lovers!

So is French cuisine! Looking for somewhere special to spend this Valentine's Day? Chez Daniel is a natural choice.

Consistently rated as a top choice in the following categories: fit for foodies, romantic, and special occasions by OpenTable diners, Chez Daniel's menu is chock full of French fare that will have you and your sweetheart savoring each moment together. Our wine list is also expertly selected for pairing with your meal and rekindling your romance!

Then after dinner, linger over coffee and a decadent dessert. How about Bananas Foster (Flambée) for two prepared tableside?

Make sure you secure your reservation and surprise that special person in your life with a stress-free evening of talking, laughing, and enjoying a wonderfully romantic meal together. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Your Super Bowl Party en Français!

Watching the Playoffs today? We're getting pretty excited about all of the festivities surrounding Super Bowl XLV!

If you want to go out and celebrate, Chez would love to have you. We'll have the game on in our lounge, Cork's II. The taps will be flowing and there are plenty of choices in the food department for you and all of your friends!

Otherwise, if you're hosting or even invited to a Super Bowl party, think French! We've compiled some great ideas to get you thinking on the French track for your Super Bowl gathering!

French Inspired Appetizers

French Cheese Plate with Olives, Grapes, and Baguette 

Mini Croissants with Meats, Cheeses, and/or Dips (such as Spinach or Artichoke)

Baked Brie with Preserves and Crackers

Pate with Crackers

Smoked Salmon Platter

French Inspired Salads

Mixed Baby Greens Salad with Cranberries, Gorgonzola, Walnuts & Vinaigrette Dressing

Bowtie Pasta with Peas and Prosciutto in a Creamy Tarragon Dressing

French Inspired Main Courses

French Onion Soup in a Crockpot with Croutons and Shredded Gruyere cheese 

on the side (for guests to portion as they dish their soup).  

Pot au Feu with Vegetables (Similar to a beef pot roast)

 French Inspired Desserts

Chocolate Mousse 

Classic French Cookies (Easily Transportable!) - Madeleines, French Macaroons, etc.

Cream Puffs

We hope this is enough to get you brainstorming on how to incorporate your favorite fare into your Super Bowl celebration! If, however, this seems daunting to you, know you're always welcome to join us at Cork's II for the fun. 

Keep Your Resolutions!

"It's just so unhealthy!" remains a common misconception about French fare. All that butter! All that wine! Dispelling that myth is easily done by just looking at the French as a whole. In general, they are far less overweight and heart healthy than our very own American counterparts.

Isn't that great news? You can still keep your New Year resolutions to eat healthy AND enjoy French cuisine! Here are several tips to guide you in this regard. 

1. Eat (and drink!) like the French. In France, meals are meant to be savored. This means that food is enjoyed much more slowly, and they stop when they're satisfied. In this right, they consume (on average) less food in a sitting. Additionally, alcohol is enjoyed primarily with meals and generally in moderation. The French also are not prone to between meal snacking. 

2. When you are going out to your favorite French restaurant, stick to menu items that are protein or broth based, not laden with cream, not fried, and definitely sans bread! Also, (but you probably already know this) no pasta.

Suggestions:

- French Onion Soup: Can be ordered without the bread and even without the cheese if you're trying to cut out carbs and/or fat.

- Green Salads with Vinaigrette Dressing on the Side (Most of our salads are great healthful alternatives, simply ask for the dressing on the side and omit any item(s) you are working to avoid). 

- Any roasted or braised meats are generally acceptable, provided one avoids any cream-based sauce, and chooses a baked potato substitution or extra veggies with no butter. 

- Seafood is another great choice. High in protein and rich in health benefits, grilled, steamed, broiled and sauteed fish are all good ways to stay on track when dining out.

- Bouillabaisse, a seafood broth stew, is filling and quite healthy when enjoyed without the usual accompanying bread/croutons. 

At Chez Daniel, you'll find plenty of options to satisfy your cravings for great French food without compromising your diet or feeling guilty. And as for dessert? Just make sure you bring friends to help you, so you don't overeat!

The Man Behind the Curtain

You know the place! You've experienced the food! But do you know about the man behind it all, our very own Pierre Jean Laupies, the Executive Chef here at Chez Daniel?

Pierre Jean after taking a dip in the pool for our LIVESTRONG fundraiser

Born and raised in Southern France, Pierre Jean's culinary adventure began at a restaurant in Paris, fully immersing himself in the art of French cuisine. Learning and cooking throughout the world, Pierre Jean eventually came to the United States to work in Texas in 1975.

Convinced by a friend to come to Minnesota and become the executive chef of a new French Bistro called Chez Daniel, Pierre Jean landed here in the early 90's. Bringing all of his Parisian culinary expertise and the richness of his international experiences, Pierre Jean imbibes Chez Daniel with his passion and creativity that shine outward from the kitchen and onto your table. 

Throughout his career, Pierre Jean has received many awards, such as Chef of the Year in 1982, with his recipes being published in cookbooks and on televised cooking features. Pierre Jean is also the Advisor for the Gourmet Society and Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

Stop in and see what all the fuss is about! We trust you won't be disappointed.

Galette Des Rois

This January, celebrate an old, famous French tradition of the Galette des Rois! The Galete des Rois, or King Cake, is traditionally served to celebrate the festival of Epiphany. You may have heard of the Louisiana style of the Galette des Rois, which is served to celebrate Mardi Gras.

In France, the tradition holds that the cake symbolizes drawing the kings to the Epiphany. A small trinket or figurine is generally hidden (baked) in the cake. Then, the individual who is served the slice of cake with the trinket is "crowned" king for the day and is charged with bringing the cake the following year.

Bake your own version of the Galette des Rois, and be the delight of your next January celebration!

Galette des Rois - borrowed from the Food Network. 
Ingredients
- 1 or 2 packages (17.3-oz) store bought puff pastry sheets. (Thaw in refrigerator if frozen).
Frangipane cream for the filling, enough for two galettes: 
- 1 cup soft butter
- 1 cup ground blanched almonds
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 pinch salt
- powdered sugar (for dusting)
- egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)

Directions
Preheat oven to 450-degrees. With an electric mixer, beat all the ingredients for the frangipane cream just until blended. On a slightly floured, cold surface, cut two circles the size of dinner plates out of the puff pastry. Put one of them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush one inch around the edge of the circle with egg wash. Spread half of the frangipane cream on the center and place the second circle on top, matching the edges of the circles. Press all around the edges to glue them together. Press softly in the center to evenly spread the filling. If making two galettes, use the remaining cream and follow the same method for preparation.

Decorate the galette with a fork by pressing the edges together all around. Do not prick the cake. With the point of a knife, make any kind of design. Be careful not to go all the way through the pastry. Brush the surface with egg wash, but be careful to not get any on the sides.

Bake the galette in the center of a a preheated 450-degree oven for 15 minutes then 350-degrees for 30 minutes. For the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle with powdered sugar and bake until golden brown.  Serve warm with a gold paper crown on top.

If you desire to participate in the full version (a la the tradition of Epiphany), once the cake is sliced, the trinket may be inserted into one of the pieces. Make sure that it is small enough to be concealed in the slice, but large enough to prevent choking. All the guests will get to pick their piece. The one who discovers the trinket is crowned king (or queen). Then, the newly crowned king picks a queen (or queen picks a king) by dropping the trinket into her (or his) glass.

Tradition dictates that next year's party, or at least the cake, should be at the king (or queen's) expense!