Summer Restaurant Week Review Round-Up

As has become a tradition, we love to recap our Restaurant Week sessions with a post that highlights some of the reviews that we received.

We're just so thrilled at all of the new (and especially the familiar) faces that join us each season for the best in prix fixe French dining. This session, we offered a 2-course lunch and a 3-course dinner service, rife with options for each course.

Ending last Friday (July 19), we just couldn't wait to see what people thought of our revamped menus and options for the Summer 2013 installment of Restaurant Week, so we hopped online to read the reviews. Again, we were so grateful that so many of you not only chose to dine with us this past week, but had a fabulous time to boot!

"THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE - We have eaten here several times. The food service and atmosphere are all fabulous."

-- Dined on 7/15/2013

"We attended this restaurant for restaurant week and were impressed with the menu options. We sampled many, or favorites being the shrimp boat appetizer, peppercorn beef, and the chocolate mousse was to die for. Service was excellent, very attentive. Great for foodies."

-- Dined on 7/16/2013

"I found this dining experience to be quiet and relaxing. Once you set foot in the restaurant you forget you are in a hotel. Ambiance felt like a small village in Europe. The baked Salmon with Arugula and Risotto, drizzled with lemon-garlic vinaigrette was delicious, nicely presented, cooked to perfection. Cheesecake for dessert was a perfect way to end this experience. I liked the portions sizes for both, it was just right. Service was very friendly, attentive, well timed. I highly recommend and will return soon."

-- Dined on 7/16/2013

"LUNCH KICKED UP A NOTCH OR TWO - I came here with a few friends for restaurant week during our lunch break. We had the lunch special and were happy with the serving sizes of our dishes. It was $10 for an entree + dessert or soup. I ordered the chicken pesto sandwich and chocolate mousse; both of which were delicious. The setting was homey and comfortable. All the servers were helpful and friendly. Already can't wait for the next visit."

-- Dined on 7/18/2013

"GREAT STAFF - The service was genuine and timely all the way through the meal, food was perfect; Salmon was perfectly prepared as was the chicken fettuccine which had perfect sauce."

-- Dined on 7/18/2013

"RESTAURANT WEEK - Very good french food. Would. Come back again. Went for restaurant week and food was up to par for what you would normally get in restaurant week selections"

-- Dined on 7/19/2013

"BEING IN EUROPE -  Chez Daniel is inside a hotel but the courtyard, fountain and plants surround you and you think you are outside in Europe. The food portions were good and nicely served. The coconut, apricot bread pudding was awesome. The salmon over risotto was just as tasty. Enjoy!"

-- Dined on 7/19/2013

"GREAT LUNCH FOR A GREAT PRICE - We went there for the restaurant week specials. The salmon was amazing! Service was quick even though they were really busy. Great place!"

-- Dined on 7/19/2013

"EXCELLENT MEAL - We went there for Restaurant Week and everything was great."

-- Dined on 7/19/2013

A hearty merci beaucoup to all who joined us for Restaurant Week and an extra special thank you to those who took the time to share your experiences. 

Save the date for October 20 - 25, but we sure hope you don't wait until the Fall installment of Restaurant Week before joining us again! 

French Campsite Cuisine

As the weather heats up, everyone readies themselves for their pilgrimages up north, to the lake, and into the wild. We've scoured the web to compile a list of campsite and cabin-friendly recipes that allow you to bring your taste for French (and French inspired) cuisine to the shores of your favorite Minnesota lake.

Simply click on the dish below each publication to view the respective recipe.

FREEWHEELING FRANCE

Pasta with Roquefort Cheese Sauce

Campsite Crepes

SUNSET

Marscarpone French Toast with Warm Blackberry Syrup

Photo by Thomas J. Story : Sunset

THE OBSERVER -- The Camping Cookbook by Annie Bell

Mussel Pot

Butterflied Leg of Lamb

Fish Baked in Newspaper

KOA CAMPGROUNDS

Campfire French Fries

OVERLAND GOURMET

Truffle Oil Omelet with Spinach & Mushrooms

Lamb Chops with Eggplant and simple Spinach Salad

CAMPING-ROADTRIP.COM

French Onion Soup

Haddock Provencale

Navarin of Lamb Printanier

Crepe Suzette

CAMPING DUDE

Beef Burgundy

French Roast Beef

And these are just the tip of the iceberg. No matter where your adventures find you, we wish you both Bon Voyage and Bon Appétit!

Bastille Day - July 14, 2013

This coming Sunday, July 14, marks the annual French celebration, La Fête Nationale (The National Celebration), otherwise known as Bastille Day. Commemorating the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, Bastille Day mainly celebrates the French Revolution and subsequent establishment of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

While Bastille Day in France is quite the event, with parades, fireworks, and more, Minnesota Francophliles can also join in the fun.

The Alliance Français, a Twin Cities French cultural center, will be hosting a Bastille Day celebration this Saturday, July 13, from 4 to midnight at the Hotel Sofitel right here in Bloomington. For more information and a complete schedule of events, feel free to visit their Bastille Day page.

Barbette will also be hosting their annual Bastille Day Block Party this weekend, beginning at 3pm on Sunday, July 14. (Great news, if you wanted to spend all weekend celebrating!) Rain or shine, the event will be held on Irving and Lagoon in Uptown and will feature performances, music, and more! A portion of the proceeds from the event will even be donated to local charity, People Serving People.

However, the best celebration of all will be going down right here, as Mpls. St Paul Magazine's Restaurant Week returns to Chez Daniel on Bastille Day, Sunday, July 14. Celebrate La Fête Nationale in style as you enjoy a three-course dinner at one low price! To view the menus, please CLICK HERE.

Now you're all set to get out and get down in the name of Bastille Day, friends!

Viva La Revolution and Happy Bastille Day!

Restaurant Week - Summer Menu

As we mentioned last week, Mpls. St Paul Magazine's Restaurant Week will be returning to Chez Daniel Sunday, July 14 through Friday, July 19. We could not be more excited, especially now that we've finalized the menu of two-course lunches and three-course dinners for our guests to enjoy!

Lunch — $10 

(Choose either an Entrée and Soup OR an Entrée and Dessert)

Soup (Choose one):

Cream of Mushroom Soup

French Onion Soup

Entrée (Choose one):

• Pot Roast Sandwich - Bacon, Swiss cheese, fried onions, lettuce, tomatoes, French fries
• Chicken Pesto Sandwich - Chicken breast, brie cheese, basil-pesto, roasted tomatoes, French baguette, French fries
• Patty Melt - Sourdough bread, hamburger, tomatoes, fried onions, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, ranch dressing, coleslaw
• Roasted Salmon - Pan seared, risotto, arugula, lemon-garlic vinaigrette
• Chicken Fettuccini - Chicken, broccoli, red peppers, wild mushrooms, alfredo sauce
• Caprese Sandwich - Tandoori bread, turkey, basil, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, aged balsamic with garden salad
• Strawberry Salad - Mixed greens, strawberries, red onions, dried cherries, chicken breast, feta cheese, balsamic vinaigrette

Dessert (Choose one):

Crème Brûlée

Raspberry Cheese Cake

Apricot-Coconut Bread Pudding

Chocolate Sea Salt-Caramel Mousse

Dinner — $30

Appetizer (Choose one):

• Smoked Salmon Carpaccio - Orange segments, red radicchios, passion fruit vinaigrette, frissee
• Escargot - Wild burgundy snails baked in garlic butter
• Shrimp Boat - Shrimp, chipotle mayo, onions, spices, cucumber
• Strawberry Salad - Mixed greens, gorgonzola, candied pecans, sliced onions, cranberry vinaigrette
• Goat Cheese Salad - Grilled portabella mushroom, potato chips, micro greens, aged balsamic, basil oil
• Scallop Salad - Scallops, potato, sliced truffle, arugula, parmesan, lemon vinaigrette

Entrée (Choose one):

• Artichoke Chicken - Artichokes, sundried tomatoes, shallots, spinach, pine nuts, lemon-oregano sauce
• Salmon-Shrimp Pasta - Shrimp, salmon, roasted red pepper-pesto, oven roasted tomatoes, bowtie pasta, olive oil
• Lamb Chop - Pan-seared, provencal herb-crusted lamb chops, with demi-glaze & house potatoes
• Beef Peppercorn - Sliced N.Y. strip loin, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, brandy peppercorn sauce
• Sea Bass - Pan seared, lemon risotto, oyster-pecan butter
• Salmon - Pan seared, five bean puree, shaved fennel, red radicchios, peppadew peppers, wild citron vinaigrette

Dessert (Choose one):

Crème Brûlée

Raspberry Cheese Cake

Apricot-Coconut Bread Pudding

Chocolate Sea Salt-Caramel Mousse

Don't take our word on it, though, trust your fellow diners! As Cheryl L. shared after dining at Chez Daniel for Restaurant Week in February:

"The service was good, the food delicious and filling. The expansive Restaurant Week menu was the reason we chose Chez Daniel and we were not disappointed. We had a party of 5 and tried all of the appetizers, salads and dessert, all were delicious. The entrees chosen were Lamb Chops, Chicken Fettuccini, Beef Short Rib dish. The lamb and duck were cooked to perfection and the fettuccini and short rib dishes were devoured with delight. Great food and great deal($), I highly recommend it!"

To make your reservations for Chez Daniel's Restaurant Week, please call us at 952.888.4447 or book online at OpenTable.