We chat to Stéphane, owner of French Living, about steak frites and a special New Year's Day meal...
What is your earliest memory of loving food and cooking?
Mum frying steak in butter, then wiping the pan with fresh bread. So unhealthy but scrumptious.
What person has been the biggest influence in your cooking and why?
Mum again, who always found time for varied, balanced and well-seasoned meals.
Describe your venue in three words...
Franco-French, homely, true.
What’s the best-selling item on your current menu and why?
Steak-frites, made from the onglet cut, daily changing sauce, and the best twice-cooked fries.
What’s your personal favourite item on your current menu and why?
Our signature dish: Chevreuil aux Myrtilles. Just seared, melt-in-mouth venison medallions, with sweet blueberry and red wine sauce, and gratin dauphinois to die for!
What /where was the best meal you have ever cooked?
A pièce montée (croquembouche) made for a wedding reception. 125 choux filled with Grand Marnier crème patissière, constructed with sticky caramel into a pyramid, transported at a crawling pace to the wedding venue!
What was the best meal you have ever eaten? And who cooked it?
New year’s day in 1977 Paris with oysters, foie gras, scallops, roast lamb, cheeses, bûche cake, coffee, liqueurs. Lunch ended at 9pm! My elderly cousin Alice was the host/chef.
Other than your own place, where do you eat out in Notts?
Kayal in Hockley. Refined, authentic Keralan cuisine served with kindness.
What are your five ideal dinner party guests alive or dead? And what’s on the menu?
Napoleon, John Lennon, Johan Cruyff, Jacques Brel, and Dad. Corsican lamb à-la-stretta.
Find French Living at 27 King St, Nottingham NG1 2AY
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