LAVENDOU - BISTRO PROVENCAL, DALLAS, TX

Lavendou Bistro Provencal is one of the most romantic locations in the Metroplex.You will experience a relaxed interlude with the warm and cozy Southern French Decor.1 of 12 Best Restaurant in Dallas/Ft. Worth. D Magazine"One of the Best Restaurant in the Resgion" Zagat GuidePrivate Room - Catering and Office events19009 Preston Rd #200, Dallas, TX 75252972-248-1911 www.lavendou.comProvence is as near as Lavendou!!TYPE OF CUISINE: French ProvencalATMOSPHERE: Lavendou's atmosphere and decor brings the South of France to North Dallas. You can dine by the fountain on our outdoor patio - light and airy during the day and gently lit with sparkling lights in the evening - or enjoy the main dining room where you will instantly feel at home amid the warm woods and print fabrics.APPEALS TO: Business, Couples, Families, Seniors, SinglesDRESS CODE: Casual To DressyMEALS SERVED: Lunch, Dinner And High TeaADDRESS:Lavendou info.lavendou@lavendou.comA visit to Lavendou is a retreat into the French countryside - a place where life is savored as much as the food. The decor is warm and welcoming. Its cozy blue and yellow color scheme, filled with hand screened Pierre Deux fabrics, is the perfect setting in which to lose yourself.Lavendou is thoroughly French, from the inviting decor to the gracious service and authentic cuisine. But don't expect it to be pretentious. Owner Pascal Cayet is dedicated to providing service that is friendly and efficient. And you will find Lavendou's menu to be deliciously approachable. Serving the lighter fare of Southern France, Lavendou offers many items to tempt your taste buds.Diners in far North Dallas are always in search of fine dining. As a matter of fact, they are hungry for it. Granted, there are more restaurants on the Beltline strip between the Tollway and Midway than on most major thoroughfares, but very few are of the fine dining caliber. Gourmands out North welcomed Mediterreano, Ruggeri's and Mi Piaci with open arms. All three offer predominately Italian menus. Recently, a fine French dining spot has opened in the area. Lavendou, the sibling to Chez Gerard on McKinney, has opened in the strip center on Preston Road, north of Frankford. Although drive-up appeal off busy Preston Road may not be the best for a restaurant, Lavendou's bright yellow awning and lattice-covered patio make it the most inviting spot in the center. Once inside, the cozy French atmosphere transcends the diner to a more comfortable setting. The mustard and navy colored Pierre Deux prints and pine-stained armoires and bookshelves give the restaurant a homey feel. Lighted wall scones and large table lamps added to the evening's atmosphere. Some of the dishes sampled at Lavendou brought back memories of wonderful meals from past culinary trips to France. For openers, the Gratinee a l'Oignon (the onion soup) was as good as I can remember. A thick blanket of Gyuere cheese practically encased the bowl, which was chockfull of carmelized onions, flavorful broth and more cheese. Rich, hot and hearty. Of the entrees, my favorites were the fish specialties. Filet de Mahi Mahi Barigoule, Mahi Mahi with artichokes, consisted of a grilled filet of Mahi Mahi on a bed of braised scallions with sauteed baby artichokes. The dish offered three distinct, flavorful textures. The Saumon au Cavier Daubergine Sauce Verte ran a close second. The filet's pink center was just as it should be prepared, and the eggplant and basil cream sauce, smooth and perfectly seasoned, was its "crowning glory". The restaurant already seems to have a loyal following from those who live in the area. Even though Lavendou is not on my beaten path, I'll take the Tollway out North to experience more memorable delicacies from the South of France.www.lavendou.comcall 972-248-1911