Café D’Azur Opens in Darien
NEIRAD enilno edition
Darien’s newest restaurant Café D’Azur features a fusion of Mediterranean and French cuisine. This culinary combination was inspired by the backgrounds of the chefs. Executive Chef Regis Saget was raised on a vineyard in France, while Chef Joseph Jabbour has been cooking his native Lebanese dishes for over 50 years. In the center of town, the café is nestled in the space previously occupied by Cozi.
The atmosphere is casual, yet elegant and creates a relaxing mood with soft lighting. The vintage prints and portraits resemble the dining ambiance of an authentic restaurant on the Mediterranean. While the setting is beautiful, the food is the main attraction.
I began my dining experience with the citrus salad ($12), an array of orange, lemon, grapefuit, onion, and Kalamata olives over mixed greens in an Orange Blossom Vinaigrette. While I initially questioned the combination of orange and onions, the flavors were combined in a way that played off the bitterness and sweetness to create a tangy balance. The mixed greens were crisp and lightly drizzled with the perfect amount of dressing to avoid overpowering the flavors.
Next, I sampled the Caprese Salad ($12), an array of stacked tomatoes and mozzarella drizzled with balsamic dressing. The fresh mozzarella and tomatoes were incorporated in harmony. Topped with a clove of basil, the spice made the dish delicious and aesthetically pleasing.
As an entrée, I had the couscous with kebab ($21). Given the choice of lamb, beef, or chicken, I chose chicken topped in a tomato sauce. The chicken was seasoned and cooked to perfection and the tomato sauce had a Mediterranean flare with spices. Overall, it was my favorite of the tree dishes I had tried. On the side, I tried the kibbe ($9), ground lamb with spices and pine nuts wrapped in a nutty breading.
The café offers several varieties of crepes for both desserts and main meals. While I tried the bananas with chocolate sauce ($7), the menu also offers healthier options such as ricotta with chopped pistachios and honey. Café D’Azur is the perfect place to go for dinner or lunch with family. It offers tastes for a more advanced palate as well as kid-friendly options on the children’s menu. The service was quick for a Friday night, and the waiters were personable. I would recommend going to the restaurant with friends in the afternoon because the lunch menu is more affordable for teens than the dinner menu. Dinner entrees range from $20 to $30. Also, diners should keep in mind that the café is not open on Sundays until October. For more information, the telephone number for Café D’Azur is (203) 202-9520.
