Should you walk down Cathedral Street in St. Augustine and catch a whiff of sensuous aromas coming from Bistro de Leon, I dare you not to enter. This casual French-style eatery is one of my favorite local restaurants. I enjoy if for the small tables bunched together that create a warm and casual atmosphere. I like buying items from the display case to take home. But, what I truly love is the food prepared by Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard.
Poinard is a 5th generation chef brought up in the gastronomic capital of Lyon, France where his family owned Hotel Restaurant de Paris. He is also a member of the exclusive Les Toques Blanches Lyonnaises, one of the privileged chefs invited into the rare fraternity of only 100 members. French home cuisine “la cuisine de meres” is what has propelled Poinard to the top of the elitist gastronomic scene since 1998.
On Friday, November 18, 2011 he will be the honored Chef at New York City’s James Beard House, preparing a 7-course dinner for eighty guests. What an accolade for Chef Jean-Stephane and St. Augustine.
The upcoming event is themed: The FRENCH CONNECTION DINNER ~ Celebrating Beaujolais Noveau. The dinner pairs his dishes with French wines featuring the best of Georges DuBoeuf 2011 Wines.
According to the James Beard Foundation:
“As a member of Les Toques Blanches Lyonnaises, the ultra-exclusive fraternity of chefs led by Paul Bocuse, Jean-Stephane Poinard is an ambassador of modern French cuisine. For this Beard House dinner, Poinard has designed a deliciously diplomatic menu of his rustic French cooking to showcase the 2011 nouveau and cru Beaujolais wines”.
James Beard Menu
Friday November 18, 2011
- Mises en Bouche served on trays (Butler Style)
- Tomato « Confite » stuffed with escargots flamed in Pastis, garlic cream
- Split peas cream, bacon Veloute and chips
- Duet of Salmon «Rillette»
- Georges Duboeuf Mâcon-Villages 2010
- Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2011
- Beef tail «confite» ravioles, Fava Beans, Port Jus
- Georges Duboeuf Chiroubles 2010
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- Deboned frog legs served on a tomato garlic French Toast, Watercress Coulis
- Georges Duboeuf Chiroubles 2010
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- Beaujolais Nouveau «Granite», Burgundy blackcurrent cream
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- Hudson Duck « Pot au Feu », Spicy Jus, Foie Gras in cabagge « Papillotte »
- Georges Duboeuf Morgon Domaine Jean Descombes 2010
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- Cheese board, Datil Pepper Jelly, walnuts bread
- Georges Duboeuf Juliénas Château des Capitans 2010
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- Pear poached in Beaujolais Nouveau and Fall Spices
- Georges Duboeuf Juliénas Château des Capitans 2010
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Wines Graciously Donated by Les Vins Georges Duboeuf
To Purchase Dinner Tickets
Friends of Chef Poinard can purchase dinner tickets at the James Beard Foundation MEMBER price of $130, per person (tax & gratuity included). The general public price is $170.
Call James Beard House reservations department directly at 212-627-2308. Mention the Special Dinner and the unique code word ‘FENNEL’ stating that you are a friend of the Chef for the Member Price as a courtesy. www.jamesbeard.org .
I wish I could attend the New York event, but at least as a Florida resident I can visit nearby Bistro de Leon.
#12 Cathedral Place
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
904-810-2100
www.bistrodeleon.com
I think he is one of the prominent chef for preparing different recipes.He is one of the best chef in preparing very nice recipe for the guests.He has made number of new recipes for the guests in different style.