Moutarde Gets a Makeover, Reopens
As we mentioned yesterday in our Food and Drink Roundup, Moutarde just re-opened, looking new and improved, and showing off a (kind of) new name: Moutarde, Le Bistro de la Rue. They will be cooking simple and affordable French dishes with a creative bar menu. It looked pretty nice to us, with a large stock…
As we mentioned yesterday in our Food and Drink Roundup, Moutarde just re-opened, looking new and improved, and showing off a (kind of) new name: Moutarde, Le Bistro de la Rue. They will be cooking simple and affordable French dishes with a creative bar menu. It looked pretty nice to us, with a large stock of baguettes in the windows. Early predictions?
Moutarde Out, Bistro In [Brownstoner] GMAP
By BrooklynCouch on June 10, 2010 12:55 PM
It means MUSTARD. Do you find French bread “pain”-full?
Couch, I know what it means, but it should be obviously that I’m just saying it still sounds silly. Don’t be such a (French) shower.
11217, I usually agree with you but in this case I’m a bit puzzled.
I can’t speak for the other commenters, but I’ve eaten not only at Moutarde (you said you haven’t!) but also at the place you compared it to (many many times).
Personally, I totally support local places. However, some of us are expressing the view that this place is kind of silly. That’s kind of what the comments are for, isn’t it? Or are we just allowed to say things like: “This place is really a treat for dinner with the ‘rents. I’m so glad to have it in my nabe!”
Moutarde’s post definitely shows this place is earnest. So here’s my personal constructive criticism:
Tone down the Paris replica thing. It’s dated and you’re not completely pulling it off. Leverage the fact that you’re in Brooklyn, not in Paris; lots of other places are doing something great by thinking local. Focus on the food, which is ok but not special.
quote:
what is up with your fellow park slope brownstoners?
they are a fussy lot ive noticed. i bet if i tried out any restaurant in park slope i’d probably be fine with the quality of the food. but then again, im not a foodie. and besides i doubt half the people complaining about these joints had some kind of crazy growing up with great culinary skills. im imagining them in iowa or long island at the dinner table scooping up unflavored mashed potatoes with butter, frozen peas and carrots, and meatloaf. you know it’s true.
*rob*
I haven’t tried the new version but the old one was o.k. A bit pricey & service was awfully slow but I was often w/ people who enjoy long, leisurely conversation so it didn’t bother us that much. I do like the idea of an old fashioned bistro – too much high-concept gets tired & I tend to like classic dishes w/o innovative ideas of flavor blending.
“sounds like they want to do a good job, so if you value our local eating establishments, give some constructive criticism instead of bashing them in the midst of their trying to make some changes necessary to succeed…”
seriously. what is up with your fellow park slope brownstoners? really fussy when it comes to this stuff. i’ve been to quite a few of the PS ROTDs that people lambasted and they were fine.
OMG – what did they do with all those corks in the window??
Did everyone read the post made on brownstoner last time from the manager of Moutarde? It was posted weeks after the thread so maybe some people missed it….sounds like they want to do a good job, so if you value our local eating establishments, give some constructive criticism instead of bashing them in the midst of their trying to make some changes necessary to succeed…
***
I recently became part of the Brownstoner community and I have had the pleasure of reading your comments and numerous questions about Moutarde.
Moutarde has been my home away from home for the past 4 years, first as one of its servers, and now, as the new manager.
In order to shed some light on your different points and questions, I would like to share with you a few secrets about the anticipated, new Moutarde.
First, I would like to say that Moutarde will always stay true to its roots and will keep its original charming name, so all of you can keep a smile on your faces while saying it. After all, there is no other condiment sounding more French than ‘the Moutarde’!
I also would like to clear up some confusion about the ‘double naming’ of your restaurant. “Le Bistro de la rue” will not stay on the walls of Moutarde, it was set to give a first hint to our dear patrons as to what the concept of the new Moutarde will be.
Now let me explain. “Le Bistro de la rue” literally means ‘Street Bistro’. It is a concept imagined by the owners of Moutarde, who were inspired by a developing trend they witnessed in the streets of Paris, consisting of adapting the foods served by culturally diverse street vendors and bringing them inside the walls of a Bistro setting.
We really hope you will be as captivated by our exciting menu as we were in imagining it.
You will also find other surprises at your new restaurant, like an artistic scenery, which we hope will invigorate your right side of the brain; or a simple and extensive menu utilizing only the freshest seasonal ingredients, which are brought to you by selected local producers. Furthermore, and with the desire of offering comfort to all its customers, including those only coming to share a drink with us, Moutarde decided to renovate its bar. Soon, you will be able to experience original cocktails inspired by our best customers as well as little delicacies, specially developed to be eaten with your fingers.
We definitely understand the frustration of having so much time pass by before the re-opening of our favorite French local restaurant. We are also a little anxious and eager to welcome you all back with us. Unfortunately, we had to deal with a lot of setbacks and did not want to open the doors before being fully ready.
I would like to thank all of you for being so patient and please, rest assured that we will do our best to make your new Moutarde the most comfortable, reasonably priced and exquisite place it could be. We also would like to thank Kara Zuaro for this beautiful photograph. We love to see visual work about Moutarde, so don’t hesitate to send us more photos!
All The Best,
Krisja, Manager, Moutarde.
BTW, I have been to Moutarde. Food is mediocre, which is kind of lame if you’re just trying to be an exact copy of something that is itself a formulaic (a French bistro).
Agree with Jaguar.
I actually had Pastis in mind, 11217. The quality of the execution at Pastis is at a totally different level in every dimension. I don’t think it’s much of a comparison. They know exactly what they’re doing at Pastis.
It’s ’80s bistro-sploitation. I mean, Moutarde chose the tagline “Le Bistro de la Rue.” I have to see that sign every day.