Chez Pierre, Novato, Marin County, CA
Cuisine=*(0-20) Ambiance=!(0-5) Price=$(Simple-Full)
Approximate Price per person excluding tax, beverage + tip=$. Simple=appetizer + main course; full= best available multi-course meal.
As We Like It has been serving the gastronomically enlightened community since 1989.
Novato, Marin County
Chez Pierre *(14.5) !(2.5) $(20-45) 415-898-4233 chezpierremarin@hotmail.com. 7330 Redwood Hwy. between McDonalds and the Shell gas station. M-F= 9:00 A.M.-2:30 P.M., 5:00-9:30 P.M. Sat.-Sun=8:00 A.M.-9:30 P.M.
Pierre Awad, chef-owner from Pontoise, France has an ambitious plan to transform this erstwhile Denny’s restaurant shell into a typical French brasserie. He has even hired ex-Guaymus chef of 16 years, Francisco Cisneros, to run the kitchen. Service is pleasant and attentive. Butcherblock paper covers white table linens, and cutlery, china and utensils are plain but appropriate. The basic diner set up of the room is unchanged, but the booths have been recovered with Burgundy colored material. We started with a fine onion soup gratinée and a good selection of charcuterie that had excessive pepper. The main course special of the evening was a properly cooked filet mignon with an overly rich foie gras sauce, buttered fettuccini and basically fine vegetables spoiled by too much garlic. Next time we’ll go for simple steamed veggies. An a la carte order of Camargue red rice mixed with white rice was a delicious way to cut the richness. Pleasant profiteroles and a banana split left us with a sweet taste in our mouth. The wine selection is simple and appropriate. Corkage is $10.00, except for Tuesdays when it is free to bring your own bottle. Our bottle of 1999 BV Private Reserve Georges de la Tour Cabernet Sauvignon complemented the dinner quite well.