Ryan W.
Yelp
Returning to Mon Chou Chou after a long absence, I returned for this review to find out whether its initial charm had remained, evolved or declined. The verdict? It's a story of two dinners, one shinning with a brasserie authenticity and the other stumbling at the main entrees.
Weekends here remain a cold war frenzy. If you make reservations, arrive 15- to 20-minutes early. You will battle to the death on the streets and garages for a parking spot. My wife and I arrived a few minutes late and as we walked in, we were greeted by heavy fish odor. It was extremely off-putting. The hostess took us to our table, spaced a mere foot apart from a four-top. The thought of rubbing elbows with the table next to us, did not make us feel like this was going to be a romantic evening. We quickly and kindly asked the hostess if we could get a patio table, our sanctuary from the first visit. Without any hesitation, the hostess kindly walked us back and was able to get us an outside table.
Outside, the magic came right back: cozy iron chairs, inviting umbrellas, and the gentle clink of silverware that felt like a little Paris sidewalk café. But my first moment of joy almost turned into a comedy routine. As I sat in the chair, the leg dropped straight into a missing paver and sent me tipping, almost falling over. I scooted forward slightly and it was not a problem the rest of the time and the patio stayed perfectly charming.
The service, given by Lindsey H., was exemplary. She was attentive yet unobtrusive and was extremely knowledgeable with the menu. Two autumnal cocktails, which arrived in a very respectable time, the Amber Harvest and Orchards in the Fall were balanced, aromatic, and perfectly suited the fall/autumn vibes. The chilled crisp evening air made these drinks feel even more festive.
The 5 cheese fromage was fantastic and Lindsey's knowledge of each cheese was insightful. The loaf of bread that was served with it was just as wonderful, airy, crispy and soft in the middle. Pulling the bit sized pieces off by hand is as authentic as it gets. The French onion soup was by far the best I've had in a long time. It's hard to find a true French onion soup. Perfect ratio of cheese, baguette, onion, and broth. The color and flavor is textbook. As for the beet salad, I don't care for beets but this was a refreshing, light and earthy dish done well. The beets were soft with a smooth texture.
Then, we received our main course. This is where the meal fell short. The coq au vin, though plated nice and good seasoning, the chicken was dry. This shocked me because everything up to this point was truly authentic. This classic French chicken dish is braised in red wine till it's tender, succulent, and fall-off-the-bone moist. And this chicken was definitely not that. Very disappointing as we were excited for this dish to arrive. As for the braised beef short ribs, it was plated very nicely, the beef was tender but lacked seasoning and was kind of bland. "Honestly, the beef short ribs you make at home are better," my wife stated. And I have to humbly agree. Again, disappointed especially for a $48 dish. The mashed potatoes however, were smooth, creamy and fluffy.
After a roller coaster of flavors and experience, we were ready for something to lift us up from the main course. The crème brûlée paired with a cappuccino was the perfect ending we needed. The crème brûlée was again textbook. Perfect caramelized crunchy shell with a smooth, light and creamy custard and fresh berries. The cappuccino was delicious with a perfect amount of foam. What a cappuccino should be. It was nice to end on a good note.
In sum: Mon Chou Chou remains a convincing replica of a Parisian brasserie in ambiance, service, and the majority of its performance. Cocktails, appetizers, and sweets are flawless; the entrees, regrettably, not as enjoyable this time. Pricing I would say is better or equal to comparable establishments. For those craving a convincing slice of France, the experience justifies the cost, minus the fish aroma and the death trap paver hole. I shall return, but with tempered expectations for the mains and a steadfast preference for the patio. Thank you to the Chef, front of house and back of house for an overall enjoyable evening. Bravo.