This Wednesday, May 24 and Thursday, May 25, Bistrot La Minette will celebrate French Rosé with a seasonal four-course meal of traditional French dishes paired with four rosé wines. This meal is an “approachable indulgence”: for just $40 per person, guests will enjoy a wine-friendly meal from Chef Kenneth Bush, and for an additional $20 per person, the bar will pair four diverse and delicious rosé wines, one with each course.
“This meal was inspired by my French father-in-law: he likes fishing, hunting and soccer; he opens oysters with a paring knife in his bare hands; he eats big, rare steaks; he loves dirty jokes; and he regularly drinks rosé,” explains Chef-Owner Peter Woolsey. “Americans were starved for rosé in the aftermath of Prohibition, but there’s so much more to pink wine than White Zinfandel. The French have been producing top-notch dry rosés all along, and that’s what this meal celebrates.”
Chef-Owner Peter Woolsey established himself as one of the city’s most capable French chefs at Bistrot La Minette, which he owns along with his wife, Peggy Baud-Woolsey. The cozy restaurant is a family affair, with Peggy’s photos adorning the walls and tables that Chef Woolsey built with his father from wood reclaimed during the restaurant’s construction. Despite the beautiful setting, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Craig LaBan wrote that “…it is Woolsey’s authentic French menu that had me most excited,” praising the “beautifully rendered appetizers” and “numerous other highlights” on the authentic French bistro menu. Chef Woolsey is also responsible for the well-received menu of contemporary American fare served at knock-out riverfront restaurant La Peg at FringeArts, named “Best American Restaurant” by Philadelphia magazine in their 2016 “Best of Philly” issue.
The Rosé Dinner in May Menu includes:
- Potage St. Germain, chilled pea and parsley soup with shaved radish and mint salad, with crème fraîche, paired withDomaine St. Mitre “Cuvée M” Grenache-Cinsault-Mourvedre rosé from Provence
- Tartine d’Aubergines Fumées, smoked eggplant and olive tartine with red pepper coulis, whipped goat cheese and tender lettuces, paired with Chateau D’Astros Cabernet Sauvignon-Cinsault-Grenache-Syrah rosé from Provence
- Saumon en Papillote au Fenouil, salmon cooked in parchment with confit fennel and potatoes, lemon-herb butter and fennel pollen, paired with Lister “Grain de Gris” Grenache-Cinsault-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon rosé from Sable de Camargue
- Riz au Lait, rice pudding with fresh berries, strawberry sauce and citrus tuile, paired with M. Chapouier “Bila Haut”Grenache-Cinsault rosé from Languedoc
Bistrot La Minette features a different prix fixe menu monthly, celebrating French wine and culinary regions and styles. Many are inspired by Chef Woolsey’s wife and in-laws, who are natives of France, and all are proudly authentic, bringing underexplored French ingredients and dishes to Philadelphia. Previous monthly dinners have included April’s popular Tartiflette menu from the Savoie region, June’s featured prix fixe meal will focus on the cuisine of Provence, celebrating summery ingredients such as tomato, basil, peppers, eggplant and courgetti.
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