French-inspired food is nothing new to New York's food scene, but Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson’s new bistro, Frenchette, is exploring French bistro classics through a lens of pure perfection. Both Nasr and Hanson are already well-known in the New York food scene, having helmed restaurant such as Balthazar and Minetta Tavern, but Frenchette represents the duo's long-awaited return to the city's dining scene. The space immediately distinguishes itself from the rival French bistros, as Frenchette takes on a more mellow style with wood trimmings and a "cafeteria style."
The menu at Frenchette is constantly evolving, but the constant focus is always on French bistro classics. Wheels of cotechino sausage entice diners and are featured on a menu that also celebrates the simple beauty of a properly roasted chicken or a perfectly seared steak. The constants of the menu are not only celebrations of French-bistro classics but also a level of detail that comes only from chef-forward cooking.
Image Credit: Melissa Horn/New York Magazine
What's Driving This Trend
- French-inspired Detail
- Restaurants are exploring French bistro classics through a lens of pure perfection, focusing on the details and the beauty of chef-forward cooking.
- Evolutionary Menus
- Restaurants are constantly evolving menus that feature French bistro classics while showcasing the skill and expertise of the chefs.
- Mellow Style
- Restaurants are adopting a more relaxed and casual vibe with wood trimmings and a cafeteria-style look, setting a trend for a more comfortable dining experience.
Who This Affects Most
- Foodservice
- Opportunities for chefs and restaurateurs to showcase their skills and creativity in the culinary arts, particularly in the areas of French-inspired cuisine.
- Hospitality
- The potential to create unique dining experiences within hotels, resorts, and other hospitality venues that offer French-inspired cuisine and a mellow style.
- Interior Design
- Opportunities for designers to incorporate the mellow style and wood trimmings featured in French-inspired eateries into other commercial and residential spaces, creating a trend for a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.
