"A tribute to Paris lands in Coronado this Friday, May 24 with the arrival of Little Frenchie on Orange Avenue, the island’s main promenade. The French-inflected bistro replaces West Pac Noodle Bar, the Asian eatery that was part of a collective of seven local restaurants run by Blue Bridge Hospitality and led by founder and Coronado native David Spatafore. The group, which recently brought in Matt Gordon (Urban Solace) as its VP of Operations, has transformed the 1,600-square-foot space, set fittingly in a historic French Beaux Arts-style building, with red tufted banquettes, white marble tables, and the classic bistro chairs that are de rigueur. Little Frenchie’s menu is a Francophile’s dream, a greatest hits culinary playlist that begins with escargot and French onion soup, follows with steak frites and pot-au-feu, and ends with chocolate soufflé and crème brûlée from Blue Bridge executive pastry chef Lori Sauer. It’s an ideal fit for executive chef Matt Sramek, who helped Thomas Keller to open the now-shuttered Bouchon in Beverly Hills. Sramek worked at Amaya at the Grand Del Mar, and was executive chef of The Lot locations in La Jolla and Liberty Station before joining Blue Bridge last year. The chef is channeling his experience with French technique into house pâté, brined and roasted chicken with truffles, and cassoulet, and tells Eater that he’ll roll out weekly specials that could include chicken galantine and coquilles St.-Jacques. Belgian and French beers and ciders are available as well as a long list of French and California wines. The menu features a numbered system designed to help diners pair the perfect glass with each dish. Little Frenchie opens for dinner service on Friday, May 24 at 5 p.m. Lunch service will launch on Monday, May 27." - Candice Woo
