Vin Rouge, located in Durham, North Carolina, is a quintessential French restaurant offering an intimate and sophisticated dining experience complemented by an extensive wine selection. Decorated with captivating black and white celebrity photographs and adorned with French Art Deco design elements, the restaurant emanates a charming ambiance. Executive Chef Matt Kelly presents a culinary journey through Provencal French cuisine, featuring classics like steak Frites, escargots, and et fruit de Mer. Rue Cler, the adjoining restaurant, suggests Chef's Vegetarian Plat du Jour and Coq au Vin as notable recommendations. Emphasizing fresh seafood and carefully curated wines, Vin Rouge offers beautiful patio and garden areas for al fresco dining enthusiasts. The restaurant provides an ideal backdrop for private events, boasting two elegant private dining rooms and options for larger gatherings. They ensure meticulous planning and execution for each occasion, whether it's a birthday soirée, cocktail party, business dinner, or wedding celebration. Additionally, Vin Rouge caters to dietary preferences with vegetarian and gluten-free menu options, ensuring a delightful experience for all guests. Highly recommended for vegetarians, surprise your loved ones with their gift cards.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Outdoor Seating
• Takeout
• Dine in
• Takeout
• Takes Reservation.
3 Best French Restaurants in Durham, NC
Expert recommended Top 3 French Restaurants in Durham, North Carolina. All of our french cuisine actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence.
VIN ROUGE REVIEWS
We already knew Vin Rouge to serve some of the most delicious food in the Triangle (in our opinion), but now we know they are also the most incredible event host as well. Vin Rouge helped us host our wedding reception in their incredibly beautiful Garden Patio space. From day one, Meredith, the event coordinator, was amazing to work with. She was patient, kind, full of ideas and suggestions. She was also accepting of our budget and given that, worked with us to bring our wedding day vision to life. Our wedding reception exceeded both my husband and my expectations. From the food, to the drinks, to the service, to the physical space itself, to the patience Meredith and every one of the waitstaff had with us when our schedule got off-kilter, we felt so incredibly welcome and loved the whole night. We feel so grateful Vin Rouge was willing to be a part of our big day. And we know where we will be celebrating the anniversary of our marriage from this day forth.
Absolutely amazing - while you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, Clare’s eyes lit up when she described the pork chop. I consider myself a pork chop snob and she convinced me to try it, and it did not disappoint. Truly a hidden gem on the menu. Great wine list as well as bourbon at good prices. Oysters fabulous and also fairly priced. We ate at the bar and Clare and Spencer were so hospitable (as were the customers). It’s now saved as a favorite!
Went here with some great friends and company. Food was on the more expensive side, but this was expected, and absolutely, 100% worth it. The atmosphere was extremely comfortable, and our waitress was down to earth and helped on any menu choices we couldn't recognize. Ç'était un moment délicieux!
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Rue Cler, a charming Parisian eatery in downtown Durham, boasts a cozy ambiance, ever-evolving menus, and an extensive wine selection, including rare bottles. Housed in a historic building dating back to the early 1920s, the restaurant has become a local landmark. Founded by John Vandergrift, Rue Cler enjoys a prime location within walking distance of DPAC, Carolina Theater, and downtown hotels. Guided by Executive Chef Todd Whitney, the culinary offerings are inspired by French tradition and highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's acclaimed brunch and lunch menus feature classic French crêpes, sandwiches, and salads. With an impressive wine collection showcasing rare selections from France and the US, Rue Cler caters to wine enthusiasts. Committed to its diverse clientele, Rue Cler proudly utilizes fresh ingredients from the southeast and offers an array of delightful French recipes. Surprise your loved ones with their gift cards, and note that paid street parking options are available.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• High Chairs Available
• Dine in
• Takeout
• Takes Reservation.
Specialty:
$Price:
Chef's Vegetarian Plat du Jour $24
Coq au Vin $28
Steak Frites $42
HORS D'OEUVRES:
Soupe À L'oignon Gratinée $15
Salade Verte $9
Salade Niçoise $16
Assorted Olives $10
Escargots Sherry-Mushroom Butter $16
Savory Beignets, Artichoke Fromage Blanc $12
Demi Baguette by Loaf Bakery $7
Sauteed Mixed Mushrooms $9
Haricots Verts $8
Prix Fixe $59
Contact:
Working Hours:
Sun & Mon: Closed
TBR® Inspection Report:
RUE CLER REVIEWS
The service was amazing, and the food was excellent. We went for a birthday celebration and our server was fun and patient. I think we ate nearly everything on the menu. The creme Brule was fabulous! We had a bottle of wine, the lamb, braised beef, salads, cheese tray, and charcuterie tray. Great place for a celebration! Parking: At night there's more street parking, but the most likely is deck parking across the street. Definitely include extra time for it.
Delicious cuisine with attentive service - our server was kind and helped us make our show at DPAC. The escargot was tasty - favorite dish was the brown butter ham (melts in your mouth) - the cucumber soup with crab was excellent as well - everything is such a treat! Lovely evening! Thank you!
Amazing food and the staff makes you feel welcome, special, and cared for. The flavors and execution on the food is impeccable. The lemon Béarnaise sauce with the steak frites is to die for.
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Bluebird transports the essence of traditional French cuisine to Chapel Hill, offering a diverse array of recipes, wines, and cocktails in the classic Gallic style. Bluebird evokes a slice of Parisian charm with its timeless decor and hospitable ambiance. Emphasizing a smoke-free environment, the restaurant provides the option for outdoor seating. Additionally, Bluebird offers convenient amenities such as reservations and both available and street parking. Among their specialties is the Daube de Boeuf aux Courges d'été, featuring slow-cooked beef cheeks, Parisienne gnocchi, and summer squash. Their Polenta Provençale Croustillante is equally delightful, boasting crispy creamy polenta, ratatouille, and Niçoise olives. Indulge in these exquisite dishes and savor the flavors of Provence at Bluebird. The restaurant's private dining room accommodates up to 24 guests and is equipped for audiovisual presentations. Highly recommended menu options include Duck Breast, Salmon Tartare, and Duck Confit, with Bluebird also receiving high praise from vegetarians. Surprise your loved ones with Bluebird's gift cards, the perfect way to share the culinary experience.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• High Chairs Available
• Dine in
• Outdoor Seating
• Takeout
• Takes Reservation
• Plastic Free Packaging
• Covered Outdoor Seating
• Waiter Service
• Provides Reusable Tableware
• Wheelchair Accessible.
Specialty:
$Price:
Rillettes de Saumon $15
Pâté de canard $16
Assiette de Fromage $19
LES PLATS PRINCIPAUX:
Croque Madame $21
Entrecôte de Porc à l'Alsace $31
Coquilles St.-Jacques au Bouillon de Curry $34
LES SOUPES:
Vichyssoise Chaude $11
Soupe à l'Oignon Gratinée $12
Salade de Laitue $12
Salade Froide de Crabe et Pamplemousse $17
Salade Lyonnaise $17
Contact:
Working Hours:
Sun: 10am - 2pm
Mon: Closed
TBR® Inspection Report:
BLUEBIRD REVIEWS
My boyfriend surprised me with a meal here, even though I somehow hadn’t heard of them yet. It was the best service I’ve experienced at any restaurant in years and years. That atmosphere was lovely. The cocktails were exceptional. The food was outstanding. It may have been the best salad and chicken I’ve ever eaten. We will keep them in our rotation!
Brandon gave us amazing service he was attentive and very knowledgeable ablut the food and Wine. everything was delicious. The filet melted in my mouth. And the Duck my Uncle said his duck was the best he had ever had. We were there for my twin Aunts Birthday and everything was perfect. Complements to the Chef and staff!
Came here for my birthday dinner and it was as wonderful as the first time we came here. French onion soup, deviled eggs, steak Diane, chicken cordon blue, creme brulee.
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