Vin de Set Does Not Mean Wine Set

It apparently means 2017, which is the address of this cozy bistro in Lafayette Square. Vin de Set is situated on the top floor of an old warehouse, which allows it to offer a great outdoor patio (enclosed in the winter) with cool views of downtown. We had reservations (I would say a must on a Saturday night), but opted to go early to enjoy a drink in the covered patio. We had that bar to ourselves; most folks were at the indoor and fancier bar. We were seated a few minutes early, at possibly the best table in the house. We were in a room with a fire place in the corner, with the ability to people watch without being conspicuous.

Vin de Set has a nice wine list which is easy to navigate. It is separated by types, and the list includes bottles from all over the world (except Missouri). We started with a cheese platter, with accompaniments of stone ground mustard (Tim's favorite), fig, and apricot spread, as well as olives and pickled brussel sprouts that were surprisingly good. Our major mistake we made was ordering a second starter of "tarte flambe" which sounded like a tart that was set on fire. It actually was a flatbread covered with cheese and bacon and way too humungous. We finished about 1/3 of it.

Not to be outdone by other gluttons, we then set out for main courses, which by this time we didn't need at all but thought we should order anyway. Tim had steak au poivre, which he practice pronouncing 5 times and then looked to me for my French languange pronunciation approval, which I thought was good considering it initially came out as "oh- poive." I ordered the duck confit. The duck was not dry as it can be, but unfortunately it was REALLY salty and I had to take a swig of water after each bite. It was accompanied by "rocket with apples, onions and citrus viniagrette" Say what? Rocket is apparently just your average arugula which was very very good in the viniagrette. We were disgusingly full by this point; we couldn't even finish our bottle of wine, nor did we make it to our planned final destination of the Chocolate Bar. Boo on us.

We want to go back in the summertime to check out the unencumbered views of downtown when the patio is open.

www.vindeset.com

Easier Than Getting on a Plane or Reading Joyce's Classic

The Dubliner is a basic Irish pub on Washington street, an unassuming business in a sea of Sushi and Tapas restaurants. We were there with a small group of friends on a Thursday night for a happy hour.

First of all, the Guinness is outstanding. Go to McGurk's for the patio; go to The Dubliner for the pints. The food is higher-end pub fare- "Gastropub" if you will. We decided to start with the Charcuterie platter, which had three or so artisan cheeses and pate as well as a very odd tasting duck (I think) liver. It was not foie gras. Besides the mystery liver, everything else on the plate was very good. For our entrees, Tim kept it simple with a pub burger, but I ventured a little further with the Green Peppercorn Burger, which I can only describe as interesting. I liked it, it just tasted different. Our friends had an array of food as well, ranging from pasties, which I think were described as good, to fish and chips that smelled like the Mississippi River in July. This was the only misstep of the evening.

The service we had was also good. It was a Thursday night, so there weren't many patrons, but we had 10 or so people and no one went without a pint if they wanted more.

The Dubliner is a good option for dinner that isn't trendy or stuffy and a great option for a Guinness.

www.dublinerstl.com

Franco, Cie Vous Plait

Franco is a cute little restaurant tucked into the corner of the sprawling Soulard Market Lofts. I've driven by this corner many times going to the market and yet didn't notice this place, which is only denoted by a black metallic sign on a brick facade.

We made reservations, which at a French restaurant are NOT necessary at 6 PM but since I get dining points through OpenTable.com, why not? There were a few diners present at that time and a few more in the bar area. This place is quite small, but it added to a nice atmosphere and since this was in a loft building, the brick was exposed as well as having vaulted ceilings. There was a private party being seated as we were leaving in a separate room with this giant painting that just said LIQUOR all over it. I was a fan.

I didn't even open the wine menu as I was nursing the results of an open bar the afternoon before, but the wine "Cellar" is in the dining room and it looked as though there was a decent selection. We started with the odd appetizer combo of raw oysters and pate*. The pate came as a duo, with the traditional chicken and also lamb. The lamb was decent but the chicken was still the star. Unfortunately, after our vacation in the Northeast, we've been spoiled on our oysters; these were fine but not outstanding.

We each ordered fish for our entree, Tim a freshwater trout, and me the saltwater baramundi. Tim's was-I'm guessing here-a lemon/wine reduction and mine (I actually READ the menu) had a pumpkin seed/cream reduction over a polenta-type cake stuffed with arugula. Both were very tasty.

This was definitely one of the better restaurants we've been to lately. The atmosphere was good and the food even better. I think we'll be back.

* How do you add accents and all those other French marks on an English keyboard??
www.eatatfranco.com