Warm Up & Welcome the New Year

This time of year as temperatures dip well below zero, you have to do everything you can to chase the chill away. This means, of course, taking advantage of the very thing you've come to dread by now, the weather!

How better to warm up and ring in the New Year than with a few nips of the perfect Après-Ski (or shovel or commute) Cocktail?

We've rounded up our Top 10 favorite winter refreshments for your enjoyment!

1. The Après Ski itself: Vodka, Licorice Liqueur, Green Creme de Menthe, and Lemonade, mixed and served in a julep cup with a sprig of fresh mint.
2. Crème Brulee Martini: Vanilla Vodka, Frangelico, and Cointreau, shaken and served in a chilled cocktail glass with a Crushed Graham Cracker rim.
3. Absinthe Suissesse: Absinthe with Crème de Menthe, Orgeat, Orange Flower Water, Egg White, and Half and Half, shaken and strained into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Brandy Avondale: Baileys, Tuaca, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and Cream are added to Brandy, shaken, strained into a snifter, and then topped with warm spices.
5. The Hot Toddy: Combines Brandy, Whiskey, or Rum with hot tea. Garnish with any tea accoutrements of your choice, and voila! A gorgeous winter warmer.
6. Pumpkin Pie Martini: Vanilla Vodka, Milk, Heavy Whipping Cream, Simple Syrup, and Hazelnut Liqueur are shaken with Pumpkin Pie Spice and poured into chilled martini glasses with Crushed  Vanilla Wafer rims. Sprinkled with a dash of Cinnamon. 
7. Vin Chaud: Wine, Citrus Fruit, and Spices boiled with Sugar and served Hot. A definite favorite! 
8. Wassail: Along the same lines as Vin Chaud, Wassail is made with Bourbon or Rye Whiskey, Ale, and Cider. Boiled with Berries, Ginger Root, Cinnamon, and Brown Sugar, it is a tasty complement to any winter activity. 
9. Snowball: Advocaat is combined with Lemonade and Lime Juice for the perfectly refreshing post-slopes treat. 
10. Cafè Amore: Hot Black Coffee is much improved with the addition of Cognac, Amaretto, and plenty of Whipped Cream. 

There you have it! Your very own Top 10 delicious Après-Ski cocktails. Now, when you hit the slopes or simply welcome 2014 this weekend, you have even more to look forward to.

À votre santé et bonne année! 

Chez Daniel - Your Holiday Hideaway

Here at Chez Daniel, we understand that the holidays can get stressful. With plenty of options to either fuel up or mellow out after a long day of shopping, make Chez Daniel your holiday hideaway.

To fuel you up for a long day of shopping, baking, or even just for the workday ahead, look no further than our own in-house coffee shop, City Blend. Proudly brewing Starbucks® coffee, specialty espresso drinks, Tazo Tea® and serving up breakfast pastries along with sandwiches and salads, City Blend will happily get you your morning mocha, afternoon tea, or anything in between.

However, if the last thing you want is to keep going and you're just looking forward to unwinding, we can help with that as well. With plenty of options to warm you inside and out for lunch and dinner, take the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine as the day's stresses melt away over a delectable, authentic French experience.

Being in close proximity to some of the best shopping in the Twin Cities, without being directly in the chaos sets Chez Daniel apart. Enjoy plenty of free parking directly in our adjoining lot as well. Why worry about a meter or parking blocks away, when you can park close and unwind as you dine to the backdrop of our garden atrium.

This holiday season, don't worry about rushing around. Enjoy yourself and be our guest as we treat you to either a pick-me-up or take-me-away escape.

Happy Holidays!

Host Your Holiday Party with Chez Daniel

Now is the time to book your holiday party! As the premiere caterer within the Embassy Suites Bloomington, Chez Daniel's 5,600 square foot grand ballroom can hold up to 420 guests. 

The perfect way to thank your employees and co-workers for a great year, let our experienced catering managers make your holiday party at Chez Daniel a breeze. 

With plenty of great menu options plus the best contacts in the industry for entertainment and fun, treat your company to the ultimate experience of a Chez Daniel holiday party. 

Make this year's holiday celebration unforgettable! 

To reserve your date, contact our Catering Manager, Sheri DeGeorge, today at 952-967-8704.

Here's to some very happy holidays! 

NEW Fall Features!

Starting today, Friday, October 11, we're pleased to present our brand new Fall Features menu. One starter, two sandwiches, an entree, and a dessert that all represent the bounty of the season.

Available for a limited time only, stop in and try some fabulous fall comfort food (with a French flair, of course):

NEW FALL FEATURES

Mac & Gouda Cheese Bites 

A classic created for us adults!

Macaroni & cheese lightly breaded and golden-fried, stuffed with delicious gouda cheese. Served with our house smoky tomato sauce. 

Turkey & Brie Sandwich

All-natural turkey breast & brie cheese topped with apple-lingonberry chutney on a buttery croissant bun. Served with sweet potato fries. 

Buffalo Chicken Pita Pockets

Romaine, tomatoes, avocado, pepper-jack cheese, beer-battered chicken, churrasco sauce & ranch stuffed in soft pita pockets. Served with our hand-cut fries. 

Apple Pork Loin

Slow-roasted and tender pork loin accompanied by house potatoes, topped with our signature apple-cream sauce & garnished with balsamic. 

Rustic Triple Berry Tart

Blueberries, blackberries, apples & raspberries wrapped in a homemade flaky crust with a hint of cinnamon & sugar glaze, topped with Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream ... Yum!

Just like the gorgeous fall colors, these specials won't be around forever, so don't miss out. Stop in this week. 

Bon Appétit !

Bring Your French Class to Chez Daniel!

With all of the kids back to school, now is the perfect time to schedule a field trip to Chez Daniel for your French class!

Chez Daniel provides an unforgettable learning opportunity for students taking a French language course in middle or high school. Instructors of French language classes are welcome to contact us to schedule a field trip to Chez Daniel, where students will be served an authentic Parisian feast by French-speaking servers.

During their visit, students will be encouraged to use their knowledge of the French language to communicate with their waiters and each other. French class trips to Chez Daniel allow students to experience the French language and culture in an unforgettable way.

Our executive chef, Pierre Jean, was actually born in France and works diligently to present a menu of traditional French favorites. From Croissant, Crepes and Quiche Lorraine to French Onion Soup, Boeuf Bourguingnon, and Bouillabaisse, Coq au Vin and Croque Monsieur, students and chaperones alike will be delighted with the variety, choices, and utmost quality of the dishes presented.

Make sure you finish your meal with our signature dessert, Profiteroles (cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with hot fudge and raspberry coulis)!  

For more information or to book this much loved and remembered field trip for your students, please contact our Catering Manager, Sheri DeGeorge, at 952-967-8704 or sdegeorge@embassybloomington.com.

Venez Chez Daniel avec votre classe et régalez vos èleves avec ma cuisine Française!

- Pierre Jean

Crazy About Quiche

When thinking of quiche, one usually thinks French; however, this tasty egg dish actually originated in Germany in the middle ages. Yet, once the area of the quiche's origins became French, the dish was quickly adopted into French cuisine, becoming popular in England and ultimately the United States and Canada as well. 

The modern quiche is a bit different from early versions, especially when it comes to the variety of ingredients and the crust composition. Today, the quiche consists of a pastry shell for crust filled with a baked custard made from eggs, milk, and cream. The most popular variety of French quiche is the Quiche Lorraine, which includes the original filling additions of smoked bacon (or lardons). The modern Quiche Lorraine may also include cheese (Quiche Gruyère) or even onions (Quiche Alsacienne). 

However, quiches can be as diverse as the chefs who make them and the geographic regions in which they are served. Common quiche additions include cheese, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, and more! While the quiche is often served as a vegetarian dish, many favorite breakfast meats may be added as well, such as bacon, ham, and sausage. The best quiches incorporate only a few extra additions, allowing those flavors to really complement one another, without overpowering the taste of the quiche itself. 

Here at Chez Daniel, we love quiche! So much so, that we actually have a Quiche du Jour on our Lunch Menu. Served with straw potatoes, vegetables, and a salad, Executive Chef Pierre Jean Laupies' daily quiche variety is as authentic and tasty as one could expect, no matter which side of the Atlantic you find yourself on! 

If you're hungry for quiche and want a good spot to enjoy a summer lunch, we invite you to visit Chez Daniel this week. 

À bientôt ! 

Lounge Around at Chez Daniel

If you're looking for a break from your daily grind, look no further. Chez Daniel's lounge is your ticket to a world away!

Step out of the hectic daily bustle of everyday life and into the Old World charm of Chez Daniel’s cozy lounge. Our unique ambiance blends a vintage European pub setting with modern comfort. The extensive drink list and classic French-American menu is only one example of our unassuming luxury. Surrounded by flat screen televisions, polished wood paneling and affable wait-staff, you’ll find the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation at Chez Daniel’s Lounge!

A full bar coupled with a generous selection of appetizers in addition to UNO pizzas, soup, salads, sandwiches and even entrees renders Chez Daniel’s Lounge the perfect spot to grab a drink and a bite to eat any time the mood strikes. 

Appetizer Selections

CRAB & ARTICHOKE DIP - Served with tandoori bread

NEW ORLEANS SHRIMP - Bacon wrapped shrimp, remoulade, lemon

JALAPENO RAVIOLI - Breaded and fried, served with mango dipping sauce

NACHOS SUPREME - Topped with your choice of seasoned beef or chicken, jalapenos, cheese, black olives, and Pico de Gallo, served with guacamole, salsa and sour cream

CALAMARI - Served with sriracha chili aioli

ZESTY MOZZARELLA STICKS - With marinara dipping sauce

PORKBELLY SLIDERS - Served with adobo beer sauce & coleslaw

WALLEYE FINGERS - Beer battered walleye fingers served with sriracha aioli & tartar sauce

BONE-IN CHICKEN WINGS OR BONELESS - Your choice of buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or wasabi-plum sauce

BEEF TOSTADAS - Skirt steak, fried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, tomato-chili sauce

QUESADILLA - Blackened chicken, green onions,diced tomatoes & cheese in a toasted flour tortilla

BEEF SHORT RIB SLIDERS - Blue-brie cheese & caramelized onions

NUEVO LAREDO CHICKEN DIP - Chipotle-tomato chicken, fried beans, blended cheese, shredded lettuce, Pico de Gallo, sour cream & tortilla chips

HOMEMADE COCONUT SHRIMP - With orange-horseradish dipping sauce

CHEESE PLATE - Goat cheese, French brie, Roquefort, Bleu Brie, Swiss, Honeycomb & lingonberry sauce

For the rest of the Lounge menu, please CLICK HERE. 

Now that you're perfectly hungry, stop into Chez Daniel’s Lounge this week for a cocktail and maybe an appetizer and see for yourself what all the fuss is about!

À votre santé!

Chez Daniel on OpenTable

"Great for Brunch", "Most Booked 1,000-Point Tables", "Romantic", "Special Occasion", and "Fit for Foodies" are some of the accolades that Chez Daniel has received from OpenTable diners. Not only is OpenTable a great way to easily secure a table at your favorite French restaurant during peak times, but it's also a wonderful way to let us (and your fellow diners) know about your experience.

Monitoring OpenTable is also a great way for us to ensure that our guests' dining experiences are as wonderful as we intend them to be. As recent diners will attest, a meal at Chez Daniel is quintessentially très bien!

For all of our wonderful friends and guests who enjoyed a meal at Chez Daniel and then took the time to leave us a review, a hearty merci beaucoup!

If you're ready to see what all the fuss is about, we encourage you to visit OpenTable and make your Chez Daniel reservation today. 

We'll see you soon!

Profiteroles

If spring would ever arrive, we could start enjoying all of the finer things that come with the change of the seasons. Barbecuing, patios, spring drinks, and of course, ice cream!

We're not sure about you, but we are so sick of the cold, the gloom, and most of all the SNOW! Here at Chez Daniel, we're ready for green grass, warm sunny days, and Profiteroles, our signature dessert. While we offer them year round, these little puppies are SO much better as a respite from the heat of the day.

We start with our Cream Puffs (or choux à la crème) and then generously fill them with vanilla ice cream before topping them off with a healthy dose of hot fudge and raspberry coulis. Voila! The perfect happy ending to your meal, your day, and hopefully this perpetual winter.

Stop into Chez Daniel this week and channel Spring with an order of Profiteroles. (We think she may need all the help she can get!)

Bon appétit!

NEW! Featured Breweries & Craft Beer Selections at Chez Daniel

Listening to our guests who were looking for something a little more exciting in the brew department, we have a brand new selection of Craft Beer Features. From California to Canada, we sourced some of the finest suds for pairing with your next Chez Daniel meal.

CRAFT BEER SELECTIONS

at Chez Daniel

Great River Brewing Company - Davenport, Iowa

483 IPA - Brewed with pale malt and a touch of crystal malt which gives it that copper hue. Big citrus aroma and taste. 

Mad River Brewing Company - Blue Lake, California

Steelhead Double IPA - Dry hopped with Amarillo hops for a fresh citrus flavor and aroma.

Rubicon Brewing Company - Sacramento, California

IPA - 22oz bottle Golden in color with an assertive hop bitterness. 

Unibroue de Chambly - Quebec, Canada

La Fin du Monde - Mildly yeasty with a complex palate of malt, fruit and spicenotes followed by a smooth, dry finish.  

Maudite - Fire and brimstone red, this sumptuous brew is surprisingly well-balanced and smoothly caramelized. 

Wasatch Brewery - Park City, Utah

White - Aromas of orange & coriander mingle w/fruity esters. Crisp lively & refreshing!

Big Cottonwood Amber - Floral citrus aromas, and layers of malted barley flavors. 

Polygamy Porter - Inviting chocolate and malty flavors fade into a slightly dry, silky smooth finish.

The next time you visit, we invite you to try one!

Then, let us know what you think and what else you'd like for refreshments with your meal. As you know, we're only happy to oblige.

À votre santé !

Champagne Easter Brunch at Chez Daniel

It's baaaaaaaaaaacccccccccckkkk!!

Our mouthwatering Champagne Brunch is a wonderful way to celebrate the Easter holiday with your friends and family. Enjoy our delicious medley of French and American cuisine from the kitchen of Executive Chef Pierre Jean Laupies.

Join us on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 for a feast you won't forget!






















































Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling Chez Daniel at 952-888-4447 or book online at Open Table.

Joyeuses Pâques!

New Daily Specials

Our specials du jour have changed a bit around here, so we wanted to make sure that you stayed in the loop! These specials are offered during Lunch and Dinner in addition to Chez Daniel’s full menu.

Each day, we feature a different time-honored French special. These specials give our Executive Chef, Pierre Jean, the opportunity to showcase a few of the culinary gems of his native culture throughout the week.

Monday

Confit de Canard, Haricot Blanc

Duck leg with white kidney beans

Tuesday

Jarret d’Agneau Braisé à L’Ancienne

Braised lamb shanks served old fashion with mashed potatoes

Wednesday

Salmon Mutard

Salmon with stone mustard cream sauce, tomato coulis, golden jewel blend 

Thursday

Pot àù Feu

Slow-roasted beef round with, carrots and potatoes 

Friday

Bouillabaisse

Saffron & garlic seafood broth with salmon, shrimp, mussels, clams and crab legs served with crouton rouille  

Saturday
Côte de Boeuf Rotie
Roasted prime rib with au jus served with a baked potato and vegetables

(The main change is that Wednesday's special changed from Choucroute Garnie to Salmon Mutard)

This week, make plans to join us for a traditional French special on the day of your choice. (Then, next week try a different one!)

Bon Appétit!

Restaurant Week Round-Up

A warm Merci Beaucoup to everyone who joined us for this round of Mpls St Paul Magazine's Restaurant Week. We had a blast seeing all the new faces, recognizing our regulars, and just all-around delighting diners.

What was especially enjoyable was that one of our lucky diners was even selected as Mpls St Paul's Diner of the Day. King Krompicha, our guest on Wednesday, February 27, was selected after she submitted photos of her and her companions enjoying their Chez Daniel Restaurant Week experience to Mpls St Paul Magazine. Not only did she get fame through this experience, but King also got fortune in the form of a $100 Gift Certificate to a participating restaurant!

As has become standard practice, we love sharing some of the rave reviews that we receive for Restaurant Week as our way of acknowledging and thanking both the diners that joined us as well as our team for such a great week.

***** "Kim always does a great job serving us."

***** "wonderful, no one could ask for more."

***** "I went there for Restaurant Week and had a four course meal. We had scallops and escargot for hors d'oeuvres . Both were fantastic! 1st course was a brown pear salad. Entrées were pan seared lamb chops and home made au gratin potatoes. She had the salmon. Both were absolutely amazing. And Crème Brûlée for dessert. I was very impressed!"

***** "The food was so good that I returned the verry next day! GREAT!"

So, if you joined us for Restaurant Week, we thank you! We hope your experience was such that you'll visit us again, maybe even for brunch.

If you haven't already, we encourage you to tell Mpls St Paul Magazine about your Restaurant Week experience. CLICK HERE to take their survey and you could win a $100 Gift Certificate to a Twin Cities Restaurant.

Until next time!

Top Ten Après-Ski Cocktails

This time of year when spring is just around the corner, you have to do everything you can to keep the cabin fever at bay. This means, of course, taking advantage of the very thing you've come to dread by now, the weather!

Whether you ski, cross-country or regular downhill, snowboard, snowshoe, skate, ice fish, snowmobile, or just hang out in the chalet, we've got a few great winter warmers on the blog today. That's right, how better to warm up and recharge than with a few nips of the perfect Après-Ski (or snowboard or snowshoe or...) Cocktail?

We've rounded up our Top 10 favorite Après-Ski refreshments for your enjoyment!

1. The Après Ski itself: Vodka, Licorice Liqueur, Green Creme de Menthe, and Lemonade, mixed and served in a julep cup with a sprig of fresh mint.
2. Crème Brulee Martini: Vanilla Vodka, Frangelico, and Cointreau, shaken and served in a chilled cocktail glass with a Crushed Graham Cracker rim.
3. Absinthe Suissesse: Absinthe with Crème de Menthe, Orgeat, Orange Flower Water, Egg White, and Half and Half, shaken and strained into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Brandy Avondale: Baileys, Tuaca, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and Cream are added to Brandy, shaken, strained into a snifter, and then topped with warm spices.
5. The Hot Toddy: Combines Brandy, Whiskey, or Rum with hot tea. Garnish with any tea accoutrements of your choice, and voila! A gorgeous winter warmer.
6. Pumpkin Pie Martini: Vanilla Vodka, Milk, Heavy Whipping Cream, Simple Syrup, and Hazelnut Liqueur are shaken with Pumpkin Pie Spice and poured into chilled martini glasses with Crushed  Vanilla Wafer rims. Sprinkled with a dash of Cinnamon. 
7. Vin Chaud: Wine, Citrus Fruit, and Spices boiled with Sugar and served Hot. A definite favorite! 
8. Wassail: Along the same lines as Vin Chaud, Wassail is made with Bourbon or Rye Whiskey, Ale, and Cider. Boiled with Berries, Ginger Root, Cinnamon, and Brown Sugar, it is a tasty complement to any winter activity. 
9. Snowball: Advocaat is combined with Lemonade and Lime Juice for the perfectly refreshing post-slopes treat. 
10. Cafè Amore: Hot Black Coffee is much improved with the addition of Cognac, Amaretto, and plenty of Whipped Cream. 

There you have it! Your very own Top 10 delicious Après-Ski cocktails. Now, when you hit the slopes this weekend, you have even more to look forward to!

À votre santé!

Restaurant Week - February 24 - March 1, 2013

After such a wonderful time celebrating Valentine's Day, we're now getting excited for the fabulous week-long adventure that comes but once a quarter,  Mpls St Paul Magazine's Restaurant Week! On a hiatus since this past October, we can't wait for all of the fun to begin again.

Starting Sunday, February 24 and running through Friday, March 1, we'll be offering several lunch and dinner options at two great price points.

We hope you'll join us for lunch, dinner, or maybe both, since the combinations are endless!

Lunch — $20

Entrée (Choose one):

Cranberry Chicken Salad - Mixed greens, dried cranberries, red onion, strawberries, gorgonzola cheese, cranberry-port vinaigrette, grilled chicken, and toasted walnuts

Goat Cheese and Beet Salad - Roasted beets, mixed greens, apple, goat cheese croutons apple cider vinaigrette & toasted walnuts

Reuben or Rachel - Sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, 1000 island and your choice of corned beef or turkey, served on grilled pumpernickel

Prime Rib Melt - Sautéed onions with provolone cheese, toasted baguette with Au jus and horse radish

Avocado Chicken Melt - Grilled chicken, avocado, pepper jack cheese and roasted red pepper aioli served on sourdough bread

Walleye Sandwich - Canadian walleye beer- battered and fried, served on a toasted bun with creamy tartar sauce

Cranberry Turkey - Sliced turkey, gouda cheese, arugula and cranberry cream cheese, on wild rice bread

Sausage & Broccolini Ravioli - Served with roasted garlic cream sauce

Quiche du Jour - Served with straw potatoes, vegetables, and house salad

Truffle Chicken - Pan-seared chicken breast, truffle mushroom cream, asparagus, risotto

Chicken Penne - Chicken, capicola ham, bell peppers, onions, celery, spiced cream sauce, smoked gouda cheese

Dessert (Choose one):

Crème Brulee - Homemade brandied vanilla custard

Profiteroles - Cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream, topped with hot fudge and raspberry coulis

Chocolate Mousse

Dinner — $30

Hors d'Oeuvres (Choose one):

Escargots - Wild burgundy snails baked in garlic butter

Scallops - Fillo cup, olive tapenade, aged balsamic, olive oil

First Course:

Beet Salad - Fried goat cheese, mixed greens, roasted beets, truffles, Dijon mustard dressing
Pear Salad - Belgian endive, roasted pear, Roquefort cheese, ground mustard vinaigrette red wine reduction, candied pecan

Entrée (Choose one):

Lobster Ravioli - Lobster ravioli with wild mushrooms, roasted artichokes, and lobster tarragon sauce
Lamb Chops - Pan seared, provencal-herb crusted lamb chops with demi-glace & house potato
Chicken Fettuccini - Fettuccini with chicken, wild mushrooms, red peppers, broccoli, roasted garlic cream sauce
Sea, Land, & Air - Beef short rib, lemon-lobster mashed potatoes, demi-glace
Blue-Brie Chicken - Chicken, spinach, artichokes, onions, pine nuts, truffle-cream risotto
Scottish Salmon - Honey-lime marinated salmon wrapped in a fillo pastry, mayor lemon marmalade
Roasted Duck - Rosemary polenta, dried fruit compote
Dessert (Choose one):

Crème Brulee - Homemade brandied vanilla custard

Profiteroles - Cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream, topped with hot fudge and raspberry coulis

Chocolate Mousse

We hope you're just as excited as we are! Join us throughout the following week for Restaurant Week by making your reservations at 952.888.4447 or online at Open Table.

See you soon!

Valentine's Day at Chez Daniel

Love is certainly in the air at the "BEST" Romantic Restaurant in Bloomington! Our staff has been hard at work creating a special menu in honor of the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day. With just over a week left to plan the perfect evening for your sweetheart, make plans and reservations to join us for a night he or she won't soon forget.

Valentine’s Day Special Menu

Appetizers

Goat Cheese Salad

Roasted beets, red peppers, frisee, micro greens, truffle, Dijon mustard vinaigrette

$10

Clams & Risotto

Lobster risotto, clams, pancetta, fennel, dried Vermouth butter sauce

$16

  

Entrées

Dried Aged Pork Chop

Celery root puree, morel mushroom sauce

$32

Surf & Turf

Beef Tenderloin, Lobster Tail, demi-glace, citrus hollandaise, house potatoes

$38

Crab Stuffed Salmon

Honey-lime marinated salmon stuffed with crab meat & rolled in Filo, risotto & lemon sauce

$32

Roasted Chicken

Pan-seared chicken, roasted tomatoes, asparagus, caramelized onions, spiced cream, garnished with shrimp

$31

Dessert

Heart-shaped chocolate cup, filled with passion & raspberry mousses, truffle chocolates

$9

Sounds pretty delicious, right? In addition to the above special menu, our full dinner menu will be available for guests to choose from as well.

Space fills quickly, so make sure you secure your reservation for the perfect Valentine's Day celebration by calling Chez Daniel at 952-888-4447 or book online at Open Table.

Plus, if you're looking to make a whole night of it, our prime location within the Embassy Suites Bloomington offers you the opportunity for a mini getaway! To make your room reservation, CLICK HERE.

Bonne Saint Valentin from all of us here at Chez Daniel!

Chez Daniel Chosen as Best Brunch & Romantic Restaurant in Bloomington

The results are in and Chez Daniel is thrilled to announce that we were voted the "BEST" Brunch and Romantic Restaurant in Bloomington!

In their 3rd Annual Readers' Choice Awards, Sun Current Newspaper readers chose Chez Daniel as #1! For two months, Sun Current Newspapers asked readers to nominate and vote for "the BEST of" in certain categories. Look for Chez Daniel's name on top in their January 24th Special Reader's Choice Awards Section! 

We are so grateful for this award. Thank you so much for choosing us as your favorite brunch and romantic spot in Bloomington. It is our pleasure to serve you, and we look forward to continuing to live up to this honor.

To make your reservations for the Best Brunch or Romantic Dinner in Bloomington, please CLICK HERE.

 

Ring in 2013 - Chez Daniel Style

In France, New Year's Eve, known as la Saint-Sylvestre, is generally celebrated with a feast. Here at Chez Daniel  we felt that our New Year's Eve celebration should be no different.

Tonight, Monday, December 31st, Chez Daniel will again be offering our famous Prime Rib feast for just $35. We'll also have a King Crab Legs Dinner for $42 as well as a Fresh Lobster Tail Dinner for $45. All of the specials will come with starch and veg du jour along with our house salad and freshly baked bread.

For a broader selection, our full dinner menu will also be available. Accompany your feast with a bottle from our hand-picked selection of choice sparkling and traditional wines, and let Chez Daniel be your New Year's Eve dining destination.

Should you choose to make a night of it, our convenient location within the Embassy Suites Bloomington West hotel means you're in close proximity to one of the best lodging options in the city! Plus, if you stay over, you get to take advantage of the nightly manager's reception, offering free cocktails and snacks to hotel guests as well as our complimentary cooked to order breakfast on New Year's Day!

Dinner service runs from 5:00pm to 10:00pm and dining reservations may be made online at Open Table or by calling Chez Daniel at 952-888-4447.

To make a reservation with the hotel, please CLICK HERE.

Please note, Chez Daniel will be closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 to celebrate New Year's Day.

Cookie Exchange en Français

'Tis the season for drinks with friends, holiday parties, gift giving, and the cookie exchange, of course! This year, add a little French flair to your holiday baking and whip up a batch (or five) of some traditional French cookies to delight guests at your next party.

Below, we've listed some of our favorite French cookies for your holiday baking pleasure. (Otherwise, if baking just isn't your thing, you're lucky we live in a metropolitan area that has so many great bakeries. In which case, you can just purchase cookies to your heart's content).

French Christmas Cookies

Madeleines - A French cookie favorite, Madeleines delight in any season; however their warm buttery flavors with just a hint of lemon and pretty shell shape are sure to brighten any cookie exchange!

French Macarons - Can you just imagine receiving a jar full of these beautifully colored meringue delights as a gift? Perfection! We advise going for a holiday-esque flavor like Peppermint (and roll the cream-edged middles in crushed candy canes), Chocolate Mint, or maybe even Egg Nog!

Gaufrettes - Gaufrettes are the pretty French cousin of Christmas cookies that many of us Midwesterners have long enjoyed at our family celebrations, Krumkake. Similar to Krumkake, Gaufrettes also have mercifully few ingredients and are also cooked on a waffle-type iron. Enjoy your Gaufrettes sandwiched around caramel sauce with your coffee this holiday season!

Forgotten Cookies (or Kisses) - The fun of these chocolate meringue delights is that they're simply "forgotten" in a turned-off (but pre-heated) oven overnight. Quite the fun surprise find for the kids on Christmas morning!

Cinnamon Palmiers - An easy cookie for the pastry lover, Palmiers incorporate cinnamon sugar and store-bought puff pastry. However, the taste and pretty rolled shape alone are sure to win you accolades at your cookie exchange!

We hope this gives you a good head-start on that holiday baking. Plus, if you ever need any taste testers, you know where to find us!

What are your favorite holiday cookies to bake (and/or eat)?

Chez Daniel Thanksgiving Brunch - 2012

It's back! Our bountiful Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch that is! Join us from 10:30am to 2pm on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 22, 2012) for a feast like no other. We'll have all of your traditional Thanksgiving favorites featured alongside our staple brunch offerings.

2012 Thanksgiving

Champagne Brunch Menu

Carving Stations

Roast Turkey with gravy or orange-cranberry sauce

Roast Ham with brown sugar-pineapple glace

Egg benedicts | Hash browns

Waffles with strawberry sauce, whipped cream and syrup

Roasted pork tenderloin with an orange-maple sauce

Green beans with toasted almonds

Sausage & Bacon

Seafood with fennel caper sauce

Homemade pot roast

Sweet potatoes with marshmallows

Butternut squash soup | Roasted garlic mashed potatoes

Omelet Station

Asparagus with house dressing, chopped egg and truffle peelings

Beet and orange salad

Roasted pear salad with candied pecans and Roquefort cheese

Marinated mushrooms

Butternut squash, fingerling potatoes, and scallops salad

Egg salad | Herring | Cheese board 

Fruit tray | Vegetable tray | House pate

Whole poached salmon | Smoked salmon | Shrimp cocktail

Dessert station & Chocolate Fountain

Assorted Desserts | Chocolate & Fruit tarts | Mini Creme Brulee 

Strawberries | Pound cake | Pineapple

Rice crispy treats | Marshmallows

We sincerely hope that you'll join us this Thanksgiving and leave the cooking and cleaning to us, so that you can spend more time with your loved ones! Thanksgiving Brunch is prices as follows:

Adults: $28.95, Kids 5 to 12: $12.95, Kids 4 & under: Free.

To make your party's reservation, please visit Open Table online or call Chez Daniel at 952-888-4447. 

Happy Thanksgiving!