Louis le Francais, New Albany

We took our daughter to the newly opened Louis le Francais last night in downtown New Albany. This was our second venture there, as we were part of their test run. They have a prix fixe menu for $25.00 and it includes an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. There were three entrees to choose from, leg of lamb, ragout of pork, and salmon with dill sauce. Two appetizer choices were potato leak soup and bacon and onion quiche. The desserts were a caramel flan, chocolate mousse, or a French 'cookie' served with vanilla sauce

We all had the potato leak soup and it was very enjoyable. My wife had previously had the pork ragout with was totally different (in a good way) than anything I've ever had. Last night we all had the leg of lamb----I love lamb and this was done perfect. They also served mashed pumpkin as a side dish which was really interesting and good. The desserts were also very good. All in all it was a very excellent meal. The service is still a little rough around the edges, but I think they are going to have that smoothed out. The quality of the food, however, was outstanding and the atmosphere is just a delight. My only caveat is that they don't take plastic as of yet. I hope they do in the near future! Downtown New Albany now has another really good restaurant and it might now be the best in our fair city.

John,
Thanks for posting- it sounds great!

Do you know if they are open only for dinner? Does the prix fixe change frequently, and is there a regular menu too?
Deb

We took our daughter to the newly opened Louis le Francais last night in downtown New Albany. This was our second venture there, as we were part of their test run. They have a prix fixe menu for $25.00 and it includes an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. There were three entrees to choose from, leg of lamb, ragout of pork, and salmon with dill sauce. Two appetizer choices were potato leak soup and bacon and onion quiche. The desserts were a caramel flan, chocolate mousse, or a French 'cookie' served with vanilla sauce

We all had the potato leak soup and it was very enjoyable. My wife had previously had the pork ragout with was totally different (in a good way) than anything I've ever had. Last night we all had the leg of lamb----I love lamb and this was done perfect. They also served mashed pumpkin as a side dish which was really interesting and good. The desserts were also very good. All in all it was a very excellent meal. The service is still a little rough around the edges, but I think they are going to have that smoothed out. The quality of the food, however, was outstanding and the atmosphere is just a delight. My only caveat is that they don't take plastic as of yet. I hope they do in the near future! Downtown New Albany now has another really good restaurant and it might now be the best in our fair city.

Last night was their first night open. I think they are only doing the prix fixe menu for now and they said they will be adding more things and changing up what they are doing. But, as to when they are doing that, I can't tell you. As for when they are open, I really don't know. I'm guessing only for dinner, but that is a guess.

John,

This place sounds like a definite plus for New Albany and we'll give it a try very soon as I'm really trying to stay North of the River with the bridge closure and believe "our" businesses can use the extra support.
Sorry to bombard you with questions, but do they have a beer/wine license yet?

Thanks
'Winger

Yes, they seem to have a liquor license. They do have a bar and we had wine with dinner.

Yes, they seem to have a liquor license. They do have a bar and we had wine with dinner.

I'm delighted the Frenchman's open, and now that the Shelton Brothers import portfolio has returned to Indiana, I intend to talk Louis into a beer dinner with selected Northern French Bieres de Garde. I'm both hungry and thirsty just thinking about the possibilities for pairing with the menu items mentioned in this thread.

Roger, that sounds like a great idea.

This place is on the short list - Louisville needs a real French bistro. Beer dinner sounds interesting but I hope he has some decent wine.

This place is on the short list - Louisville needs a real French bistro. Beer dinner sounds interesting but I hope he has some decent wine.

I've been told the Frenchman intends wine as the focus, also that the new Indiana wholesaler of Shelton Brothers imports has already spoken with him about Bieres de Garde. As always, we beer geeks ask only for equal opportunity to show how well beer pairs with food.

This place is on the short list - Louisville needs a real French bistro. Beer dinner sounds interesting but I hope he has some decent wine.

We've been in brief discussions with them to try and have most if not all of their wine list available at our New Albany location, which is right around the corner from the restaurant. Once they get the list settled, and we get opened (should be this week) then you should be able to find their wines at our shop for retail. It goes without saying that the Biere de Garde's will be there .

Once they get the list settled, and we get opened (should be this week) then you should be able to find their wines at our shop for retail. It goes without saying that the Biere de Garde's will be there .

The crucial aspect is having access once again to the Shelton portfolio. Bieres de Garde tend to be wonderful beers with food; they never seem to have quite the same zing when consumed by themselves (although I've taught myself to appreciate them this way, LOL).

Stopped by this evening after a New Albany First meeting to check out when they're open/the menu. Ending up sitting down with Chef Louis for a few minutes and chatting about the food and business.
I am very excited to have him in Downtown New Albany and I will be returning to dine there on my next night off. I hope the rest of you will as well. Especially you gourmands that love French Bistro cuisine, I know he would love to see you all there.

Gave this place a go this past weekend. Had a nice crowd, but not slammed. Very polite and efficient service. Limited wine list, but the server was very polite in offering to sell by the glass wines that were listed as by the bottle only. Dinner was fine - not a knock-the-ball-out-of-the-stadium sort of meal, but very simple and elegant. If you get the proprietor's wife to tell the story of how they met it will make your night.

Thank you TP Lowe for your last sentence. Food is great, but much better with a story, and background information for the soft of heart. Especially luring a Frenchman thru Chicago to New Albany ( I think that's right).
C'est l'amour.

I went with a friend a couple of weeks ago and we both loved it! Each of us had one small disappointment with the meal, but not enough to keep us from going back.

My disappointment was the leek and potato soup. It didn't help that my brain was all set for the Rover's version. I didn't get any leek flavor at all - it was very dark green and tasted more like grass soup.

My friend's disappointment was the cod. It was cold, but the flavor ensured that she ate it all anyway.

We both had the chocolate mousse and it was superb. My lamb was wonderful, as was her quiche.

I wish Chef Louis would open a boulangerie (I probably misspelled that) as a side line, so I could buy some of those crusty, warm baguettes.

- Mark