Who is this French knight suddenly holding court in Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens? Could it be the heroic Lancelot in an elementary school production of Camelot at P.S. 58? Sounds adorable, but non.
Our newest Kings County cavalier is none other that Chef Jean-Jacques Bernat of Provence en Boite, a charming Smith Street bistro and patisserie.
Earlier this week the restaurant paid host to a fete in Chef Bernat's honor as he won "Chevalier" status from the esteemed Ordre National du Mérite Agricole. The French Consulate and other dignitaries descended upon the rustic bistro for wine, hors d'oeuvre and revelries. But no one in the chic crowd looked more joyful than Chef Jean-Jacques himself alongside his gracious wife Leslie. They were practically beaming.
And it was at that very moment that my trusty camera decided to fail me. Mon dieu!
Thankfully, I had brought along my own knight in shining armor: my pal Grant. He quickly grabbed his iPhone and took a snapshot of the lovely couple...
So it seems we can never have too many valiant knights in Carroll Gardens.
Wow! I am surprised and not. Just over a year ago, I had an exceptionally tasty meal at that little place. The service was quite amateur and annoying, but the meat, ah the meat, it was so mouth watering, and the ambiance so casual and patisserie-like. It didn't give any hint of what fine cuisine would be offered. Je vous baisse mon chapeau, M. Bernat!
Posted by: Jmk60 | July 12, 2010 at 07:42 AM