Aimez-vous la nourriture française? Grand!

If you like French food and wine, and want to hang out where the cool French-speaking folk hang, get yourself down to The Merry Table next week for a French wine dinner prepared by chef/owner Jean-Claude Vassalle.

The creperie at 43 Wharf St. is known for its  “French nights,” where expats and folks who just plain love France gather on the first and third Thursday of every month to eat Vassalle’s delicious crepes and speak French all night. It’s a delightful experience.



Next Wednesday, Feb. 27,  Vassalle (who was born in Lyons), will hold a French wine dinner at 6:30 p.m., with Erika Archer of Wine Wise as host. The dinner costs $60 per person, tax and gratuity not included. For reservations, call 899-4494.

Vassalle provided me with a copy of his menu. Here’s the first look:
 
1st Course:
Amuse Bouche
Toast de Saumon Fume, Creme Fraiche, Caviar Americain
Smoked Salmon Toast with Creme Fraiche and American Caviar
N.V. Bailly Lapierre, Cremant de Bourgogne (Sparkling Burgundian Wine)

2nd Course:
Saint Jacques a la Tahitienne
Maine Sea Scallop Tahitian Style (Marinated in Citrus and Coconut Milk, Spices)
2010 Eric Chevalier, Muscadet Cotes du Grand Lieu AOC. (Loire Region White) 

Mixed Green Salad
 
3rd Course:
Steak au Poivre, Pommes de Terre Nouvelles, Haricots Verts.
Peppered 8 Oz.Sirloin, Yellow Potato, French Green Beans.
2007 Chateau Pecot, Tentation, Cahors AOC, South West Region
 
4th Course:
Creme Brulee , Fruit Rouges
Creme Brulee with Berries
2009 Domaine de Durban, Muscat Beaumes de Venise AOC, Southern Rhone

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About the Author

Meredith Goad has harvested oysters on the Chesapeake Bay, eaten reindeer in Finland and sipped hot chai in the Himalayas. She writes the weekly Soup to Nuts column and enjoys a good cocktail.

Meredith can be contacted at 791-6332 or mgoad@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @meredithgoad

Susan Axelrod's food writing career began in the kitchen; she owned a restaurant and catering business before turning to journalism more than a decade ago. To relax, she bakes, gardens and hikes with her husband and their two dogs. A newcomer to Portland, she is an online content producer for the Press Herald.

Susan can be contacted at 791-6310 or saxelrod [at] pressherald.com.
On Twitter: @susansaxelrod

Wendy Almeida and her family have a smattering of livestock and a summer garden. After 10 years of her kids being involved in 4-H, she's finally accepted the term "hobby farm" to describe her family's work at sustainable living. These days her morning starts with milking a goat before heading into the office for her day job as an assistant editor for features.

Wendy can be contacted at wea [at] mainetoday.com or on Twitter @wea1021.

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