In the space that recently housed Central Steakhouse, New Haven welcomes Yolande’s Bistro & Creperie.
Owner Yolande Lacan, who grew up in the hospitality industry, has a blog called The Innkeeper’s Daughter.
Yolande didn’t change the interior greatly, but appointed it with some Gallic touches.
Yolande’s wine list is accessible,
like this Chateau Tessendey Bordeaux we quaffed,
while its bistro menu features simpler heartier fare than other nearby French restaurants and a menu of savory and sweet crêpes.
Our waiter took good care of us throughout the meal,
starting us off with baguette slices
and triangles of good butter.
Our actual starters included onion soup,
an onion tarte Tatin,
and a pear, walnut and Roquefort salad.
Our entrée-sized crêpes, which Yolande’s calls galettes and which came with a salad, included a croquet monsieur with rosemary ham and Gruyère
and a chicken fricassee.
Regular entrées included trout amandine,
lamb rib chops
with bright asparagus,
and steak frîtes.
Desserts encompassed both crêpes and traditional offerings. From the crêpes, we enjoyed a crepe chocolate noir and fruit
as well as a crêpe Mont Blanc.
We also enjoyed a chocolate mousse.
You might even catch Yolande preparing traditional crêpe Suzette tableside.
Yolande’s Bistro & Creperie, 99 Orange Street, New Haven, 203-787-7885, www.yolandesbistro.com.