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
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