Le Quai Bistrot Français — Restaurant in Town of Waterford

My group of four ate dinner here in late April 2024, on the recommendation of one of the couples. Loved everything about Le Quai! The menu changes frequently and centers around classic bistro dishes. One member of our party opened with the mushroom soup and raved about it so much we all had to try a spoonful. She was right! I had the calamari. Having made this at home I know how to cook it so it's tender, and the chef here got it absolutely perfect! Drizzled with a delicious sauce, with some greens and strips of fennel decorating the plate. For my main I went with cod nantua, which came with shrimp and sauteed potatoes and other vegetables and another great sauce. One person had the rabbit tagine and pronounced it "fabulous." Another had the beef bourguignon. It came to the table in a miniature cast-iron casserole and was piping hot, beautifully tender, with unctuous gravy. For wine we inquired about a Sancerre, but our host, Robert, suggested a very similar white, which we found easy to drink and a good accompaniment to the food. The staff were totally professional. For example, once the orders for the mains had been taken, our server returned and re-set our silverware to match (like adding a steak knife for the beef). And our water glasses never became empty because a member of staff would simply materialize and quietly fill them. Robert, the owner, is great. He exudes hospitality. We arrived slightly ahead of the other couple and took seats at the bar.. Within seconds Robert made us feel welcome and cared for, as if we guests at his home. He has, we learned, years of experience in restaurants, and it shows in the delicious food and efficient team he has assembled at Le Quai. On the Saturday night we were there they were only half booked, but as there are not many tables, make a reservation! One note: the only alcohol on offer is beer and wine, but the wine list is quite extensive. I recommend getting to know Le Quai before it becomes so popular that reservations are hard to get. Given the quality, generous portions, and fair prices....it won't be long.

Since I wrote this review, I've had dinner at another fine restaurant in the capital district. By comparison, the other place is more modern in terms of design, and the menu is modern American. The food was delicious, portions were good-sized, and service was prompt and the restaurant deserves its reputation as one of the best dining experiences around. It's a larger space, with hard surfaces everywhere: floors, walls, ceiling, and felt noisier than Le Quai. Where Le Quai has white tablecloths, the tables here are bare, in keeping with the modern aesthetic but feeling a bit less special. At Le Quai, diners have a small dish with a butter knife for their bread. Not so, here. You use your table knife. I had a cocktail, which you can't have at Le Quai because only beer and wine are on offer. It was served in a double rocks glass surrounding a single big ice cube. The first thing I noticed about it was that half the cube was cloudy ice, which meant to me that they lacked the flash chiller that would provide crystal-clear big cubes. The single cube was nor really large enough to keep the cocktail cold. The drink's taste, though, was spot-on. Service was good, but not quite up to the mark that Le Quai provides. At one point I noticed that in order to deal with some water that had spilled onto the floor, one of the servers was "skating" in it with a towel under each foot in order to pick up the water. A bit jarring for a nice restaurant where entrees range from $35-$90.

Both places are great, in their own way, but for me the service and attention to detail puts Le Quai on top. A total package hard to find in the...

I had the pleasure to take my lovely wife out on a date night here a Le Quai. Mo, chef and owner of the restaurant asked if we would want to come to a soft opening of his restaurant... I took him up on his offer and I'm glad we did.

Mo has been all over the world and has learned alot over time and brings his knowledge and experience to his restaurant and with his dishes he prepares. The menu will change on a continual bases due to everything is fresh. His menu will be posted by Tuesday every week on his Facebook page. He's only open Wednesday thru Saturdays from 5 till 9.

Parking for the restaurant is along the street, as well as a parking lot across the street.

The restaurant is very quaint and elegant. It has that Bistro appeal with soft music and dim lighting. You are greeted at the door and sat. Served with bagettes and pâté. We order from his very nice elegant assortment of wines. A Red Blend from Portagul.

We order French onion soup and the aspargus salad for our appetizers. The French Onion soup was to die for!! Perfect in everyway...Not to sweet, not watered down or to thick...the beef broth was all homemade and brillant to the taste buds. The Asapargus salad was pleasantly simple but exploded with taste. Nice citrus favor and the asapargus was fresh.

The main course...she had Poulet Marocain (Chicken Tagine) with vegetable couscous. I had the Jarret d'Agneau (Lamb Shank) with mixed vegetables in a beef broth sauce. Both meats were so tender, you literally just used your fork. It came apart that easily and melted in your mouth.

Dessert was the cherry on top! Tarte tatin and Creme brulee. Tarte tatin is a classic apple tarts (tartes aux pommes) usually come in pretty crusts, sometimes filled with “compote” (apple sauce) or frangipane (almond cream), are topped with neat apple slivers, baked to golden perfection and often finished up with a shiny apple or apricot glaze. The apples were crisp and tart. (explaination off of the web) The Creme brulee was cooked to perfection.... The melted sugar cracked with the gentle tap of the spoon and the custard was elegant to taste.

So if you are looking for a new experience and help support a NEW Local restaurant for a nice date night with the wife or girlfriend. I would defiantly recommend coming to Le Quai!

Thank you Mo for allowing us to experience this very special occasion. We will be coming back. Congrats on your...

If you're looking for an authentic French dining experience in the Capital Region, look no further than Le Quai Bistrot Français. From the moment you walk in the door, you're transported to a cozy bistro in Paris, with a Moroccan touch, with charming decor and warm lighting that sets the mood perfectly for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends.

One of the highlights of our meal at Le Quai Bistrot Français was undoubtedly the wine list. The selection of French wines was extensive and impressive, and our server Robert was extremely knowledgeable about each one. We were able to find the perfect bottle to pair with our meal, which really enhanced the overall experience.

As for the food, every dish we tried was outstanding. For our appetizer, we ordered the escargot, which were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The garlic butter cognac mushroom sauce was rich and flavorful, and we couldn't help but sop it up with slices of crusty baguette.

For our entrees, I opted for the braised lamb shank, while my wife went with the veal. Both dishes were cooked to perfection, with tender, juicy meat that practically melted in our mouths. The accompanying sides were equally delicious, from the creamy mashed potatoes to the sautéed vegetables.

Throughout our meal, the service was impeccable. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, making us feel right at home. And despite the upscale atmosphere and high-quality food, the prices were quite reasonable, making it a great value for the quality of the experience.

Overall, we couldn't have been more pleased with our experience at Le Quai Bistrot Français. From the exceptional wine list to the delicious food and impeccable service, it's clear that this restaurant takes pride in every aspect of the dining experience. Whether you're a Francophile or just looking for a great meal, we highly recommend giving Le Quai Bistrot...