Light French Bistro Food at Affordable Prices

Maison Bleu’s lively French country dinning room welcomes you.

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Want to get an excellent French bistro meal at $20? Go to Maison Bleu. Located on 228 Camp Street, New Orleans, at the Omni Hotel, this newly opened "country French bistro" offers a prix fixed menu every night at $20. The meal includes a soup and salad, plus the main course, a real value.

You can get "Moule a la Mariniere Frites"–described as "Select Mussels Poached in White Wine with Shallots, Tomatoes and Parsley and Served with Parisian Fries" ($20). This prix fixed menu comes with a "Salad Maison"–described as "Mixed French Lettuces tossed in a traditional Dijon Vinaigrette and Served with Lardon and Blue Cheese." We thought this salad was authentic and delicious, similar to those we had eaten in France. The meal also includes a "Soupe de Jour"–in this case a "Roasted Corn and Mushroom Soup" which was light with crunchy corn and fresh mushrooms.

At first we had some trepidation, when we looked at Maison Bleu’s menu with its very reasonable prices. How could they do it? Chef — Owner Howard Ferguson had the answers. "Maison Bleu’s concept," he said, "was to present excellent country French food at reasonable prices." He went on to explain that, after a successful career as a stock trader, he decided to "follow his passion," which was food and wine. He therefore enrolled in the Cordon Bleu School of French Cuisine in Paris, France. There he underwent extensive training, all the while he was thinking of a way to bring the wonderful traditional flavors of classic French country cuisine to the United States. He enlisted the aid of his mentor, Christian Guillut, Master Chef to compose a menu for the new "Maison Bleu" Restaurant.

Chef- Owner Howard Ferguson followed his passion to create Maison Bleu.

Vola, what resulted was a lightened, elegant country French cuisine. And it works. There are straightforward renditions of classic French bistro food. We had "Boeuf a la Bourguignonne"–described as "A Rustic French Country Beef Stew with Potatoes and Vegetables, Slowly Braised with Red Wine and Herbs" ($21 for the prix fixed meal). This was tender, fall-off-your-fork meat with a smooth, not overly acidic sauce and "just right" lightly cooked vegetables. We also tasted the "Entrecote Grillee Frites"–described as "Sirloin Steak, Char-Grilled, Served with a Fresh Tarragon and Caper Sauce and Served with Parisian Fries" ($22.50 for the prix fixed meal). This is sure to be a winning dish, as the steak was tender and perfectly cooked to order a la minute.

We also had the "Poisson du Golfe"–described as "Mahi Mahi and Provincial Herbs, wrapped in Prosciutto, with a sauce of Peppers, Lemon and Olive Oil Served with a Confit of Vegetables" ($20 for the prix fixed meal). This was light and flavorful and reminded us of the South of France. Also available was a vegetarian item, "Acorn Squash Farci"–described as "Roasted Acorn Squash with a Pilaf of Quinoa and Provencial Herbs" ($19.00 for the prix fixed meal). This was well blended and savory.

Maison Bleu has an excellent selection of affordable wines. There is a "wine by the glass" from the "carafe" for $4.50, as well as a French sparking wine for $5.00, excellent values given that fact that many restaurant’s house wine starts at $8.00 a glass. There is also a Vital Cote due Rhone ’98 for $25 a bottle, which represents good value, as well as higher end Burgundy/Rhone and Bordeaux wines, such as Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage "Les Meysonnier" ’97 at $43.00–still good value in its category.

At Maison Blue you can also get fine cocktails for reasonable prices. Our favorite–Kir Royal (also know as "Kir Imperial") is made with Champagne and Chambord, $6.50 a glass.

In sum, Maison Blue presents fine country French county bistro-style food in a lovely setting and does so at an affordable price. This is the kind of a place that you would want to return to again and again.

"Moules a la Mariniere Frites" were a big hit at Maison Bleu.

228 Rue Camp

New Orleans, LA 70130

-Howard Ferguson- Proprietor

-Christian Guillut —Executive Chef

-Carolyn Bianchi — Chef de Cuisine

-Josefine Evans — Sous Chef

Note: Maison Blue is also offering excellent "wine makers" dinners. Check with the restaurant for details.