Best French Restaurants in Downtown

One of our best dining experiences ever - and we go out alot. Just what you want from a restaurant. The food was outrageously good. Everything ! Presented beautifully. Not rushed. The service was outstanding. James was the ultimate grand server. There when needed. Explained everything. The physical space was interesting - could see the kitchen. And it was relatively quiet !! Justin - the manager - was super helpful with wine suggestions , and he generated a warm welcome when we entered. The concept of sharing enhanced the experience with our friends. And did I mention the food was super good. We will be raving about this place to everyone we know. A true grand dining experience ! Thanks to all that made that happen.

From the moment I stepped into La Grande Boucherie I felt welcomed. The ambiance of the restaurant is so enchanting from the decor to the professionalism of the staff. I arrived alone waiting for the rest of my party to join and still felt attended to and was sat. Our server, Christopher immediately greeting me with water and recommendations of the menu. Once my friend joined me my experience really took off. I was guided through the menu with the best cocktails and appetizers to start. We went with the bottomless bubbles . After the first mimosa you could tell the juice was fresh and the champagne crisp. We followed with a lobster bisque that you could tell upon the first spoonful it was full of marinated seafood stock flavor. The bread that they brought to the table with salted butter complimented it so well as if it was necessary considering the soup came with a fresh croissant . I’ll probably be dreaming of the soup tomorrow. We enjoyed the Wagyu Carpaccio which was well balanced with the rich marble of the wagyu and the saltiness of the capers on the plate. I was reaching a point of fullness and then my entree came out. I opted for a classic, Eggs Benedict, not being a huge fan of eggs I appreciate a well crafted Hollandaise, and that is exactly what I got. The English muffin tasted fresh and the Canadian bacon thinly sliced with the perfect balance of saltiness to pair with the best poarched egg. We finished our meal with a Lemon Sorbet unable to fully commit to a big dessert but even the simplicity of the 3 scoops absolutely exceeded my expectations. A perfect finisher to a meal I’ll probably be talking about for the next few weeks. I am so excited to continue to recommend this restaurant to my friends and traveling family. A truly picturesque experience where I don’t have to worry about the service or the food matching the high standards of what is seen online. They truly deliver.

Service was quick, and my whole family enjoyed it

The food was excellent and better than I expected. The restaurant has a casual elegance. I will return.

Opaline is a great choice if you want a lively after-work spot to meet. Tile floor and otherwise hard surfaces make the noise level pretty high. Bit of an own goal on my part for making a reservation to meet my sister and her husband for dinner here, as the restaurant wasn't really suited to a quiet evening of conversation. (It says "Bar" right there in the name, so I guess Reading is Fundamental.) We actually considered going somewhere else but glad we stayed because the food and service were both quite good. A fresh take on Caesar salad, a delicious just-right pappardelle perfect for a cold evening and a lovely dark chocolate cake for dessert.