Lexington Love | A Taste of France at Le Deauville

Visiting Paris has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Seeing Julie & Julia for the first time dug the well a little deeper, but the thing that pushed me over the edge into trip planning mode was moving to Lexington, Kentucky. It’s not a coincidence that two of the three “Lexington Love” posts I’ve done so far have been about French/European-inspired eateries. There’s an atmosphere and an old-world charm built into a French crafted experience that just can’t be matched. Dozens of restaurants in this city have phenomenal food, trendy interior design, friendly hosts and personality that instantly turns first-timers into regulars — but Le Deauville French Bistro at 199 North Limestone makes you believe you’re actually in France.

From the beautifully aged signage on the trademark green and yellow exterior, to old tile, exposed brick and ornate ceiling panels, you can feel the rich history of the building itself. In combination with truly authentic French food, open air seating during the warmer months and soft French music drifting out into the streets, it’s like being in an enchanted bubble that transports you to a quaint bistro in the heart of Paris. I’m a seriously lucky girl to be living in the apartment above this magical thing.

I can go on for hours about the captivating ambience of this place, but that’s only part of the allure. The food…it’s mind-blowing. I’ve dined here a dozen times, I always try something new and I’ve never been dissatisfied in the least. My first meal at Le Deauville was the Duck Leg Confit with Potatoes Lyonnaise and Baby Spinach in a Creamy Mustard Sauce. Everything was cooked to perfection. It set the bar high for my subsequent visits and every expectation has been met (or exceeded) consistently. I’ve also had the Poached Chicken with Creamy Truffle Sauce, Vegetable Stew and Mushroom Risotto, the Grilled Chilean Seabass with Braised Potato, Tomatoes Confit and Beurre Blanc, the Salmon Crusted with Herbs, Celery Purée, and Mixed Garden Vegetables with Tarragon Sauce, and a smattering of other mouth-watering menu offerings. In a nutshell, you can’t go wrong no matter what you order. Pair a glass of wine or a cocktail with your dinner, finish with an espresso and the Banana Mille Feuille and you’ll likely be inspired enough to finally learn French.

Now I’ll let the photos do the talking!

Marc Puil, owner of Le Deauville and our wonderful landlord!

The space.

The food.

Pan-Seared Scallops topped with Mango Salsa and Beet Risotto

Duck Leg Confit with Potatoes Lyonnaise and Baby Spinach in a Creamy Mustard Sauce

Beef Carpaccio with Truffle Port Wine Vinaigrette

Escargot in Garlic Butter

French Onion Soup

The dessert.

Banana Mille Feuille, Decadent Chocolate Cake, Creme Brulee, Cappuccino and Espresso

Le Deauville also serves All You Can Eat Crepes (both sweet & savory!) every Monday and All You Can Eat Mussels & Fries every Tuesday. I’ve had both and they are a MUST.

Follow Le Deauville on Facebook, Instagram, and check out their website here!

Have you eaten here before? What did you think? What was your favorite dish? If you’re going to be visiting Lexington anytime soon, definitely plan a meal here and be sure to leave a comment on this post sharing about your experience! I would also love to hear from people who have been to France! Does Le Deauville take you back? Let’s discuss!

And stay tuned for an upcoming post highlighting a special gathering sponsored by Le Deauville and other Lexington gems. SO excited to share this one with you guys!!