The Nouvelle Cuisine

Esmeralda Ortiz palacios

3 out of 5 stars★★★☆☆

Yesterday, my husband, my baby, and I went to this restaurant for dinner. As I'm of Cuban and French descent, I wanted to try something close to home. The place is very cozy and quiet, and we were received very well. We started with an appetizer, a chicken crepe. I don't know if it was on the menu, but I'm allergic to mushrooms, so I didn't eat it. I liked the presentation of the salad, which had a very tasty sauce. The only small disappointment was the two pieces of bread for two people. In case you didn't know, in France, bread is very common, and even though I asked for another round, they gave me the same amount again. The main course was filet mignon, reasonably priced, with 3 or 4 different side dishes, good flavor, but… “a restaurant that doesn't serve French fries, that's another point against me… The best part was the dessert, that chocolate lava cake was extraordinary, the 20-minute wait was worth it, it came out freshly baked and the vanilla ice cream was delicious. Another point: they brought me the bill before dessert and there were only 3 tables in the place and I couldn't understand anything that was written. They could improve a little more and be more attentive to the customer.

Mike Ferguson

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Reservations are required, but we were able to get in on a Friday night with only a 40 minute call ahead. The staff were excellent in explaining the dishes and were very happy with this restaurant. I highly recommend this place. We splurged on eating here and honestly 2 people could eat here about $125, not including tip. The service and quality is well deserved of their pricing.

Paula Restrepo

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Omg this place is a hidden gem! The location is super nice and private. The atmosphere is very cozy as well as the service was excellent. The best part is the food! I've been here a couple times and it has never disappointed. From the appetizers, delicious crepes one was a chicken and mushroom to a seafood crepe. The scallops were so fresh and tasty. I ordered the rack of lambs with mustard sauce, it is the best lamb I ever had absolutely incredible. The side dishes are superb! The carrots and potatoes omg! Ok now my friends ordered filet mignon and Elk... I tried the Elk and i was very impressed it was so tasty, not very gamey. And the desert wow! I got the creme burle and it was the best! My friend got cheesecake and a Belgium waffle. I can't tell you guys how great this place is, I highly recommend! Not to mention we got to meet the chef and thank him for our amazing meal.

Brian and Sondra

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Last night my husband and I had dinner at Nouvelle Cuisine, and it was one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in quite a while. Service The service was impeccable from beginning to end. We believe one of the owners was taking care of us along with another woman, and they worked together seamlessly. The evening’s specials were explained in detail, questions were answered knowledgeably, and they were attentive without hovering. The pacing was also perfect. Each course arrived when it should. We never felt rushed, with the next course appearing before we had finished the previous one, but we also never sat wondering where our food was. It was simply very well done. Atmosphere The restaurant feels upscale without being stuffy or uncomfortable. In fact, while we were eating our entrées, we were told, “We pick up the bones here,” meaning it was perfectly acceptable to eat the chops with our fingers. Ha! Now that is my kind of fine dining. Something I would normally only do at home was apparently completely acceptable here. The atmosphere managed to feel special while still allowing us to relax and enjoy ourselves. Appetizers I ordered the escargot, and this was the escargot I had been hoping for when I ordered it at Bern’s — buttery, garlicky, tender, and absolutely delicious. Brian ordered one of the European sausages, and it was unlike any sausage either of us has had in the U.S. They import many of their ingredients from Europe, and instead of the finely ground, fatty texture we normally associate with sausage, this was more like beautifully seasoned shredded meat. It was unusual and wonderful. Salad There was no list of dressing choices — the salad came with the house dressing — and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. It was tangy, flavorful, and seemed to have perhaps a bit of Parmesan in it. Whatever was in it, it worked. Entrées We both ordered the elk chops. Yes — ELK. In Florida. It isn’t something you see on restaurant menus around here very often, and they were outstanding. The elk was flavorful, incredibly tender, and cooked beautifully. Even the sides deserved attention. The green beans were excellent. Neither Brian nor I is particularly enthusiastic about cooked carrots, but these were surprisingly delicious — naturally sweet with a subtle herb flavor that complemented them rather than overpowering them. And the au gratin potatoes may have been the best I’ve ever had. The sauce was extraordinarily creamy while somehow remaining light rather than heavy or gluey. Absolutely wonderful. There wasn’t a weak item on either plate. Dessert Then came dessert. Brian ordered the mascarpone cheesecake, and the owner insisted that I try it. I’m glad she did. I am not a big fan of traditional cream-cheese cheesecake, but this was something entirely different. The mascarpone filling was light and delicious, with a biscuit-style crust that complemented it perfectly. So, I can now officially say: I like Nouvelle Cuisine cheesecake. I ordered the crème brûlée, a dessert I’ve had many times before. I have never had it like this. The custard was so incredibly light that it almost seemed to melt the moment it touched my tongue, and the caramelized sugar topping was browned perfectly. It was pure heaven. Overall Our dinner was over $300 with tip, so this certainly isn’t going to be an everyday restaurant for us. But for a special occasion? Absolutely. Last month we spent more than $500 for two at Bern’s Steak House and walked away disappointed. This meal cost considerably less and was in an entirely different league — exceptional food, impeccable service, perfect pacing, and an atmosphere that felt upscale without ever becoming pretentious. Bern’s could take a lesson from Nouvelle Cuisine about what makes an expensive dinner feel genuinely worth it. And the best part? It’s much closer to home. I think we’ve found our current favorite restaurant.

Alaina Rowswell Kulikowski

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Wow!! What a lovely restaurant. We will be back for that special occasion again!! We celebrated my parents 71st wedding anniversary!! I had elk, my husband had pork loin my parents had Veal roquefort and shrimp in garlic sauce. Absolutely the best meal! Fine Begian/French cuisine!!