France has become the world’s creative hotspot. From elite fashion houses, competitive art scene, and of course, their fine dining, France prides themselves on delivering fine arts to the world. But their food in particular has always been an integral part of the French culture. In fact, the French food culture is important for bringing people together to enjoy good company and partake in the art of eating and drinking. To the French, food has the power to create togetherness, the pleasure of taste, and a fine balance between human beings and a product of mother nature. With this in mind, the French have created a flavor of cuisine so unlike anything else in the world, and from there it only spread.
Today, many rising chefs, professional chefs, and food enthusiast travel to France to partake in their exquisite cuisine and maybe learn a thing or two while they are there. Thanks to the works of brilliant chefs, the French menu has been spread out all over the world, including the United States. Now, we have the luxury to experience the finest French foods right in our own neighborhoods. While there are many incredible French restaurants here in the United States dedicated to their craft, these are considered to be the best French restaurants in the United States.
Bouley
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Located in the hustle and bustle of New York City, New York, Bouley is one of the finest French restaurants in the United States (1). First opening their doors in the late ‘80’s, The haute cuisine is unwavering today as it was when it first opened. Recently having undergone a relocation, the restaurant now features grand hand carved wooden entry doors, stone floors, velvet chairs, and other exquisite accents all imported from France. Waiters run around in black ties and provide white glove service to their customers. Overall, the restaurant has an extremely professional aesthetic to it.
The food, on the other hand, will blow you away. Bouley is the master of the saucer’s art and takes great pride in providing authentic French food to their guests. While guests rave of their butter-poached lobster, snap peas in a pomegranate and pinot noir sauce, and elegant fork-tender chicken breasts, what really blows guests away at Bouley in their dessert. As a grand finale of the dinner, Bouley provides authentic French desserts such as frozen snowball meringue, and many chocolate treats. Overall, Bouley has and continues to provide New Yorkers with a French dining experience unlike anywhere else in the United States.
Mélisse
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Next on the list is French restaurant, Mélisse, one of the best Michelin starred restaurants in Beverly Hills. Run by chef Josiah Citrin on the opposite coast in Los Angeles, California, Mélisse offers city dwellers a unique French dining experience (2). After having recently undergone a rebranding, Mélisse no longer offers white tablecloth and dim lighting aesthetics. Instead, the space is now more tranquil, calm, and private, now only seating 14 lucky guests. But don’t worry, you can still find some of chef Josiah Citrin’s signature dishes at his next door restaurant, Citrin. On top of a new interior, Mélisse also comes with a new menu. Now, Mélisse serves exquisite and highly detail oriented dishes such as spiny lobster, caviar in chawanamushi with Hokkaido uni, and careful wagyu strip loin with anchovy and shallots to name a few. Is your mouth watering yet?
While Mélisse has undergone quite the change, many regulars have reported that you will still experience the same familiar Citrin approved dishes but just with a little freshening up. But in case you are not ready to experience quite a change, old menu items and trademark dishes can still be ordered and enjoyed at the Citrin restaurant next door.
Addison
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Last but not least is Addison, a French restaurant located in the sunny San Diego, California (3). The restaurant was actually named after the architect who inspired the beautiful Mediterranean Revival resort that the Addison is located in as an ode to his art, and has risen as the ultimate dining destination. When first walking through the doors of the Addison, you can expect to be met with royal treatment. From white glove service to jewel hues, beautiful fabrics, white tablecloths, soft lighting, and magnificent views of the Grand Del Mar resort grounds and the soft outline of canyons in the background, the Addison truly is the peak of luxury dining.
When seated, you will receive a carefully personalized 12 course tasting meal prepared by none other than chef William Bradley. From sweetbreads to marmalades, Chef Bradley will stuff you to the brim with fine French cuisine and otherworldly flavors. And to top it all off, he will send you home with a bag of cookies. What’s more is that every course will be paired with a wine from Addison’s 3,000 bottle wine cellar to bring out the full flavors from each meal. Addison truly is an experience unlike any other and will leave you more stuffed than any other French restaurant in the United States.
