Mark’s Score 9.5
When I was young, high-end restaurants meant French restaurants. I remember on my first serious date, we went to “Devon on the Park,” at the time, one of the best restaurants (and French) in Boston. Knowing nothing about wine, I ordered a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, merely because I liked the sound of the name. But as time passed cuisine became more international and the best high-end restaurants now serve almost any type of cuisine. Things have changed so much it is hard to even find a French restaurant these days. Which is a shame, because I love French cuisine. But we are fortunate on the peninsula because there are still several French restaurants in the area, and my favorite of these is Bon Appétit.
Karen and Chino opened Bon Appétit in downtown Seaford in 1991. So, this restaurant is a local institution. Karen manages the dining floor and Chino is the head chef. The cuisine is classically French with Chino’s own personal flair, borrowing and blending techniques and flavors from China, Japan, Peru, and other European cuisines.
I have been to this restaurant several times over the years. The first time I walked in, I fell in love with its cozy, slightly upscale Parisian bistro vibe. In fact, the dining room reminds of a bistro I used to frequent on the Quai d’Orsay in Paris. The walls are covered in posters and gold framed mirrors, the black tablecloths and white linens give it a sophisticated feel, while the star shaped chandeliers add an approachable whimsy to the room.
I was in Seaford in the late afternoon on a cold winter’s day. The prospect of the cozy atmosphere and French cuisine seemed the perfect antidote for my frozen fingers and toes. It was early for dinner, so Karen handed me a menu and sat me at a table in the front window. The waitress came by to tell me the specials, but I had already made up my mind, the Spicy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms appetizer and Roast Duck in creamy lingonberry sauce for the main. I asked the waitress for a recommendation on a wine to accompany the duck and she brought two wines to the table for me to sample, from which I chose the cabernet sauvignon. The waitress returned with the wine and warm bread and a beautiful, almost too pretty to eat, rosette of butter.
The appetizer was so good I was half tempted to cancel the main and order multiple orders of the mushrooms. The sausage was delicate and slightly picante. The mushrooms were served on a bed of Bearnaise that was a culinary masterpiece, this was truly one of the most memorable appetizers that I have eaten for some time. The duck, was lovely, I enjoyed it, especially the accompanying vegetables which were cooked perfectly. But it paled in comparison to the mushrooms.
If you haven’t eaten here, then you should really make an effort to go, especially if you love French cuisine. The beauty of this restaurant is in its thoughtful detail.
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