MMMMMMMMMMadame Claude's!

After seemingly night after night of cold, dark winter, I thought a ladies night at Madame Claude's was in order. Madame Claude's  is a quaint, comfortable French Cafe at the edges of Downtown Jersey City where the experience is just as important as the food. In the summer you can sit outside, the trees are sprinkled with lights, and one of the owners, Mattias, plays  plays lovely gypsy/Jazz with his cleverly named band "Manouche Bag". Sitting outside in the summer on a Thursday night (when the band plays), you can eat, drink, and smoke to your hearts content. It's heaven!




The inside is tight but comfortable seating. But sometimes squeezing into those close seats, I'm scared my ample rear might knock over our neighbor's water glass (oops!). Saturday night, 3 coworkers of mine, Jenique, Zoe, and Wade, shared what I consider the perfect meal at Madame Claude's.


 It's BYOB, so of course we came prepared with at least a bottle of wine a piece. We started by opening a bottle of sparkling rose, and ordering a pate and cheese plate, french onion soup, and escargot. (Pictures to be added).




There was a nice assortment of cheeses, including a goat, a soft brie like cheese, a blue, and one more firm and nutty tasting orange cheese. The pate was delicious as usual (once we asked where they got there pate, and they get it from a distributor in the city.), including a country style pork and a creamy duck liver pate. Yummm!!

 The french onion soup is the best on this side of the Hudson, served piping hot and consistently with the deep flavors of well caramelized onions. The escargot is severed in a classic french escargot plate, covered in butter, garlic and parsley, that, when dipped in with bread, could be considered an appetizer in itself.

For dinner, we split Coq au Vin, a french chicken dish made popular in the states by Julia Child, made with onions, bacon lardons, and wine. It was tender and full of flavor, though I did catch myself thinking we should have ordered the always great steak frites (which is a skirt steak served with their freaking fabulous frites, often enjoyed later in the evening by a very drunk Heather and Fran at 2 in the morning.) .






 We also ordered Les Moules (freaking fabulous!)Frites in Curry and Cream, which were bright and light and wonderful. 

As sides we ordered  ratatouille, a Provençale vegetable stew. The ratatouille lacked the deep, tomato and vegetable flavors that I generally associate with the traditional dish, but it was just a side so it gets a pass. We also ordered a side of Gratin Dauphinois. I think it's safe to say this was definitely a favorite at the table. The potatoes were light and fluffy, and the cheese and creme fraiche was perfectly browned covering the potatoes. Simple, and oh so deli-sh!!! All this washed down with a great Spanish red!

"They must have stopped there," you say. But no! We marched on, or more like munched on, to dessert. A bottle of Korbel, Flourless chocolate cake and Creme Brulee? Yes please!! 

The two owners,  Alice and Mattias are a constant presence at the restaurant. After visiting once, they will greet you as family and take care of you as such. Our waitress,  Jen, has served us over the past four years and at every turn, even on a crazy Friday night with people out the door, keeps her cool. Very often I have wished that they all could just quit working so darn hard already and come have a glass of wine with us! 


Recently, Alice and Mattias opened a lovely wine store in the Hamilton Park area. They have a great selection of very reasonably priced wine and often have wine tastings. If you buy a bottle there and bring it to the restaurant for dinner, you get a free dessert. Booo yaaa!!

Madame Claude's is not for every one. If you are like Fran, and like superb food fast, no dessert and no frills, then this may not be the place for you. But if you are like me, and enjoy taking sometimes up to 3 to four hours enjoying your meal, music, atmosphere and great company, grab some friends and get your le bottems to Madame Claudes. This restaurant is best enjoyed with ample amounts of wine, paired with great friends! Bon appitite!