Event Details
Sunday, April 20, 1997
Le Français Restaurant
269 S Milwaukee Ave,
Wheeling, IL 60090-5018
CLOSED
+184-7541-7470
Attire: Formal
Le Francais, the Wheeling restaurant that was the gold standard of fine dining in the Chicago area during its heyday, closed down during Memorial Day, 2007.
Le Francais opened in 1973 under the guidance of the legendary chef Jean Banchet, who was initially questioned for opening a French restaurant in Wheeling. But foodies will be foodies, even in the ’70s, and by the end of the decade Le Francais was named the best restaurant in America by Bon Appetit magazine. Roland Liccioni took over in 1989 and maintained the standard set by Banchet while building his own reputation, earning a five-star rating from the Mobil restaurant guide and a Beard award for best chef in the Midwest in 1997. Liccioni left Le Francais eight years ago to open Le Lan, but returned to Wheeling three years ago.
Menu
Amuse Gueules:
Rillettes de saumon, canape d’asperges au blanc de truffe, tartelette de Caneton
Palate teasers: sausage with smoked & poached salmon, fresh asparagus with truffle, small tart with roasted duck
(Champagne Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut)
Terrine de legumes, vinaigrette de truffe
Fresh springtime vegetables layered together, served with a zesty vinaigrette flavored with truffle
(Chȃteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine des Sénéchaux 1994)
Cappuccino poireaux et champignon au flan de foie gras
Light, frothy emulsion of leeks & mushroom with a silky foie gras flan baked in the bottom
Daurade roti, mousseline de pomme de terre et sauce petits pois
Sea Bream with ethereal puree of potato & a sauce of fresh sweet peas
(Roero Arneis, Bruno Giacosa 1995)
Sorbet Tamarind
Tamarind intermezzo
Duo: medallion de veau et autruche, jeunes feves et jus de portobello
Veal medallion and medium-rare roasted ostrich with fava beans & natural juice of portabello mushrooms
(Intistieti, Gianfranco Soldera 1988)
Blanc manger, sorbet aux quatres fleurs
Almond mousse served with tropical fruit sorbet
(Chȃteau Rieussec, Sauternes 1988)
Mignardiscs & Chocolate Maison
small sweets and house-made chocolates
(Lustau Pedro Ximenez ‘San Emilio’ Solera Reserva)
(Bas-Armagnac, Château du Tariquet Grand Réserve XO)
Wine List
Champagne Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut
Parker Rating
Chȃteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine des Sénéchaux 1994
Parker Rating
Roero Arneis, Bruno Giacosa 1995
Parker Rating
Intistieti, Gianfranco Soldera 1988
Parker Rating
Chȃteau Rieussec, Sauternes 1988
Parker Rating
Lustau Pedro Ximenez ‘San Emilio’ Solera Reserva
Parker Rating
Bas-Armagnac, Château du Tariquet Grand Réserve XO
Parker Rating
Gallery
