Eating at Mason Provence is like having an "in" at an amazing French restaurant in NYC. I emailed Laurent, the owner, and told him I was coming with 15 people and could he accommodate us on a Saturday night. He offered us outdoor seating on the patio. I asked if he needed a credit card to hold the reservation and his response was "I trust you.". And so it began, the most intimate evening with delicious food, incredible service, and a feeling of being at the home of a wonderful friend.
Laurent, and his wife Isabella, greeted me immediately and offered me the most delicious glass of rose from Provence on the house. They were so interested in our group of international counselors from around the world and went out to speak with them and welcome them.
I picked the restaurant because it was close to the Williamsburg Music Hall where we had tickets and because the meals were so reasonable priced between $20-$25 a plate, with lots of vegetarian options, and they appeared to be authentically French. And oh my gosh were they! We ordered the crepes, which were enormous and unique. I had the chicken and lamb sausage in a curry sauce ($22). The meat was tender and the curry was so flavorful with a little bit of a kick. I also wanted the carbonara ($22) so I split it with another person. I was so glad I did because it was also so creamy, flavorful and delicious. The kitchen divided the meals for us and put the raw egg on each of our plates for us. Both were delightful, fresh, tasty and filling. So much food, I actually couldn't eat it all. An unbelievable value for fresh, homemade food in NYC!
Before our meal, we also snacked on Zucchini Socca & chili peppers with merguez sausage, a street food pancake from Nice. We also ordered the plain one ($8), but I preferred the taste zucchini and with the sauce it was lovely ($13).
The wine selection was well curated with bottles ranging from $48-$67 and a few went as high as $88. We settled on the Chianti 2021, Conti Barbolani di Montauto, Tuscany, Italy for $48 but it was the glass of Cotes de Provence, Domaine de Cengle, France ($67) that was particular light, crisp and refreshing. I could drink that all day. They made lovely large Aparol Spritzs for the group ($14) and the beer was $9. Prices that are hard to find in NYC.
Our group said it was the best meal they had during the two months of being in the States. Everyone was so happy with the cocktails, wine, food and ambiance.
While we were not dining inside, the interior was whimsical, and french with a small "boutique" of french items for purchase and the music set the tone of being at a seaside french town.
In summary it was an excellent experience all around and I'd left feeling like I'd met friends for life. I'd highly recommend this restaurant and be sure to introduce yourself to Laurent and Isabella. They are the...
Read moreI literally did a happy dance after having the best crêpes of my life, plus all the brunch items are only under $20!
I’ve been craving french galettes and sweet crêpe, but finding something both authentic and affordable in NYC isn’t easy…until I found this cozy french restaurant in Williamsburg.
Chef Lolo is the most passionate and friendly owner I’ve met. He puts thought into every detail, bringing the true taste of Southern France, using only top-quality ingredients, and genuinely caring about his customers' feedback.
No surprise that they have a flawless 5-star rating on Google and Yelp!
*Onion Soup $11 I was told this is a crowd favorite, and it instantly stole my heart. The onion soup may have looked modest, but the savory richness of swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and the baguette all came together beautifully.
*Crepe Normandie $18 Instead of using wheat flour, they opted for buckwheat flour as it was more nutritious and gluten-free. It was generously topped with a creamy chicken, mushroom, and cheese filling, enhanced by a touch of white wine. I loved the crispy edges of the crêpe.
*Croque Raclette $19 We enjoyed this rich sandwich, especially the oozy swiss and raclette cheese, the savory prosciutto, tangy pickles, and a runny egg yolk on top.
*Strawberry Banana Flamee $11 Absolutely amazed from the first bite. The orange liqueur (Cointreau) added an exquisite note that elevated the flavor. Chef Lolo even came out to proudly show the premium Cointreau. Unlike many places, he insisted on using top quality liqueur–the secret behind why it tasted like something straight out of a high-end french bistro.
The caramelized banana added sweetness to the flambéed crêpe, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I need to come back for every sweet...
Read moreMy sister, her boyfriend, and I just finished having dinner at Maison Provence Restaurant. We are originally from Canada, and as our last meal before heading back home, we found this place online and decided to give it a try. When I say I had some of the best pasta I’ve ever had, I’m not exaggerating. Growing up around Italians and having nonnas feed me for years, my standard for pasta is very high, but this absolutely blew me away! I ordered the lemon chicken sausage with penne, while my family had the special of the night: escargot in a garlic and butter sauce with fettuccine. The escargot pasta was fantastic, but the lemon chicken penne truly stole the show.
Everything about that pasta was perfect. The white wine, butter, and cream gave it just the right amount of richness, while the mustard in the sauce and the lemon in the chicken sausage added bright, tangy flavors that balanced out the richness without overpowering it. The pasta was fresh, and you could genuinely taste each individual flavor, including the love!
But what made the night truly memorable was the service. Lolo, along with the other server (I didn’t catch his name, I’m so sorry), was incredibly kind. They gave us fantastic recommendations, checked on us throughout the night, and made us feel special. The atmosphere, combined with their warmth, made it feel as though we were having dinner at a family friend’s house. Comforting, genuine, and welcoming are just a few words to describe the experience.
Thank you to everyone at Maison Provence Restaurant, you truly made my trip to NYC special. I will never forget this restaurant, and I’ll definitely be coming back, willing to pay whatever it takes to try the rest of the...
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