Julia Child-style French in Louisville?

Just saw Julie/Julia... I liked it, despite the lukewarm reviews. While watching it, I realized that I have never had old-fashioned fancy French food, at least not as depicted in the movie. I've been to a couple of French places in Louisville and Cincy, but I think they are "bistro style," so they had mussels n' frites, steak frites, etc. I'm looking for: fish sauteed in butter and filleted table-side... whole duck stuffed with meat and baked inside a pastry... slow cooked boeuf bourguignon. Any suggestions? And I won't make it myself... that is not an option.

[Robin Garr]

Le Relais comes closest, but they've evolved into a sort of creative modern French and, in the recent economy, reduced prices and approach a bit toward bistro style. But it's still the most French restaurant we've got (and I love it).

Just saw Julie/Julia... I liked it, despite the lukewarm reviews. While watching it, I realized that I have never had old-fashioned fancy French food, at least not as depicted in the movie. I've been to a couple of French places in Louisville and Cincy, but I think they are "bistro style," so they had mussels n' frites, steak frites, etc. I'm looking for: fish sauteed in butter and filleted table-side... whole duck stuffed with meat and baked inside a pastry... slow cooked boeuf bourguignon. Any suggestions? And I won't make it myself... that is not an option.

http://www.lerelaisrestaurant.com/menu.html

Truite Meunière – rainbow trout, lemon brown butter,
parsley, fingerling potatoes, haricot verte
22

Tuesday
Boeuf Bourguignon & Mashed Potatoes – 19

The Maisonette in Cincy used to do that, but is long gone.

I don't know about Daveed's there - I think there are elements of traditional French, but it also has some Asian and new-American elements mixed in; very expensive tho!

There are places in Chicago, but don't remember any that are closer (none in Indy either that I can remember).

The problem is that few today eat those 5,000 calorie meals with 400 gms of fat, and the restaurants outside of 6,000,000 population centers just can't make it on that alone. Many "in" and current restaurants (even in Louisville) have or use elements of the "traditional" style (as was mentioned above for Le Relais), but noone can afford to really specialize in this!

I'll bet that if you contact a week ahead of time Limestone, Corbett's, Le Relais, or one of the downtown hotels for a Monday or Tuesday meal they could put something like that together for you . . . if you're really interested, may be worth trying?

As others have stated, Le Relais is probably the closest thing around here, until Louis Retailleau opens his restaurant (I think he's actually looking for another location now due to issues with the owner). My wife & I make a mean boeuf bourguignon & tarte tatin but we don't have a restaurant...yet.

I liked it, despite the lukewarm reviews.

I liked the movie as well. I'm sure we are not alone because MTAOFC has had quite a boost in cookbook sales. In that spirit I made Boeuf Bourguignon from a recipe I found on recipezaar:

http://www.recipezaar.com/Boeuf-Bourgui ... ild-148007

It was good. It froze well too and held my husband over while I was away on a short trip.

You folks have convinced me... it's le relais tonight, haven't been there in a while. Truite Meunière, here I come.

There is a place on Wallace due to open called something like "Louis le francais." I drove by there about 2 months ago. It was starting to take shape then. Anyone have any news?

I had the Truite Meunière last night at Le Relais and I'm still dreaming of it. Everything was outstanding, from top to bottom, Service to Sauterne.

Was informed that the French restaurant on Wallace will not open. I can not say why. I will update here when I know what is going to take its place.