We were devastated when Schilling (100 Washington St.) closed earlier this year, but luckily for us, chef Eduard Frauneder is keeping his talents in the neighborhood. He recently debuted Cafe Fleuri in the same location, swapping Austrian fare for French cuisine. And as is the case with all of chef Edi’s ventures, Cafe Fleuri is a home run.
While the restaurant is in the same space as its predecessor, it has gotten a cute French revamp, complete with fresh flowers on every table and a lovely garden out back for the summer. The menu is also brand new, with a solid mix of fish, meat and chicken dishes fit for Francophiles (or just fans of good food). Diners should start with the grilled sourdough bread and chive butter, and can opt to add sweet peppers and anchovies and/or a fromage blanc pea pistou for dipping (highly recommend!). Appetizers include a croustade d’avocat with poached egg, sourdough & mâche and a tender carpaccio de filet mignon; there are also seasonal vegetables, including a full menu of white asparagus on a recent visit.
Of course, the mains are the real stars. There’s a generous burger topped with gruyere cheese, as well as a hefty salad Niçoise stocked with sumptuous slices of bigeye tuna. The loup de mer, a seabass served with a side of buttered pilaf, is not to be missed. And fans of steak frites will love the onglet de boeuf, a marinated hangar steak topped with butter and paired with tasty fries.
If you’re looking to pair your meal with a libation, Cafe Fleuri has a nice cocktail list, as well as a selection of French wines and beers. And post-dinner, you must get dessert — the mousse au chocolat is a standout, but there are two tarts and a homemade ice cream worth trying as well. And no matter what you order, every dish will astound you, and we expect Cafe Fleuri will quickly build up a devoted fanbase. Make your reservation today.
