La Creperie / Lauderhill
By Judith Stocks
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Important: This article was last updated on October 9, 2009. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.
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First impression: A quintessential French bistro with windowsill flower boxes, flickering candles and fresh flowers on every table.
Ambience: Soft background music and kitschy wall decorations give the dining room a cozy and relaxing feel.
Starters: Chef Lucien Retty's mussels farcie dripping in garlic, butter and parsley ($12.95) is irresistible. Other delights include his heavenly cheese-crusted onion soup with caramelized onions ($7.25) and vichyssoise ($5.50) served on ice with a flurry of fresh chives.
Entree excellence: Be sure to listen to the nightly recited specials that bolster the printed menu. Besides a roster of Breton-style crepes, Retty whips up things as basic as quiche Lorraine or as grand as the canard du jour. The daily preparation of exquisitely sauteed fresh trout varies, but my favorite is topped with mushrooms and shrimp set off with a luscious lemon butter caper sauce ($24.95). It's also difficult to pass up the crisp-skinned, roasted duck with Bing cherry sauce ($27.95). That sauce is sometime made with raspberries or strawberries. Meat eaters can pick from steaks including an inches-high New York Strip ($30.95) with an elegant kick from creamy peppercorn cognac sauce. Of particular note is Retty's attention to detail. He takes time to perfectly square carrot strips and whittles potatoes into precisely shaped accompaniments.
Sweet!: The superb four-inch high napoleon ($6.75) — a revelation of puff pastry, pastry cream and whipped cream — is a must have and reason enough for a visit. Or try the warm creme brulee ($6.25) with crackling burnt sugar topping. The wild berry ice cream crepe ($10.95-$16.95) will also send you off with a big smile.
Insider's tip: Bouillabaisse ($31.95) appears the last weekend of every month. It sells out fast so try for an early reservation.
Service: Retty's masterful cuisine is enhanced by wife Suzy's bubbly personality, efficiency, care and watchfulness over the three dining rooms.
Dining deal: Special five-course dinners for two, served on Thursdays, include appetizer, salad, entree, a cheese course, dessert, beverage and a bottle of wine for $79.95.
4589 N. University Drive, Lauderhill
954-741-9035
lacreperieinternational.com
Cuisine: French
Cost: moderate
Hours: lunch Tuesday-Friday, dinner Tuesday-Sunday
Reservations: advised
Credit cards: AE, D, MC, V
Bar: beer, wine
Sound level: quiet
Smoking: no
For kids: high chairs, menu items by request
Wheelchair accessible: yes
— Judith Stocks
Contact dining correspondent Judith Stocks at Judithstocksreviews@yahoo.com.