the new Moutarde

well they've been working on it for what seems like ages. walked by today and saw a ton of loaves of bread in the window so i would think that's a sign that the place will be open within a matter of days...

one would hope so anyway if they are planning to actually use or sell that bread...

Missed this one.
Is it re opening as Moutard or another restaurant or what?
Totally loved the "apple tart they had for dessert.. an apple baked in a beautiful crust.

definitely reopening as moutarde still, just renovated it looks like...

the painting around the door and on the awning is really unfortunate.

really, really unfortunate.

The bread has been there about a week already, so I'm hoping it's just decoration.

Last weekend I saw what appeared to be a girl filling out an application while four guys chatted in French and smoked, which is the most activity I'd seen in awhile, so I think it may be getting close to done. A little delayed from their original aim of reopening in mid-March.

I saw that bread too. It must be fake but it looks real.

Yeah...their weird new FRENCH! FRENCH! FRENCH! motif is a little odd. I hope they're getting a new chef and menu too.

you know that moutarde was the restaurant used at the beginning of the movie, julie and julia, yes?

so someone thought it was authentic enough to be the replica in a major motion picture for an actual french restaurant.

Did not know that.

I think the inside is a great design just like I think the inside of Belleville is beautiful. My problem is both restaurants have less than stellar food.

agreed, pastoralia.

heard belleville has a new chef and is much improved now though.

http://forkknifespoon.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/moutarde/

I've been there since the new chef took over. It's an improvement for dinner but when your brunch menu includes a croque monsieur that is more like a toasted ham and cheese sandwich there's still a lot of room for improvement. Where's the bubbly, cheesy, bechamel Belleville?

Why can't someplace like Bar Tabac or Robin du Bois open here? Say in the old Cocotte space?

http://allaboutfifth.blogspot.com/2010/05/moutarde-set-to-open-this-friday-or.html

belzjm wrote: agreed, pastoralia.

heard belleville has a new chef and is much improved now though.

http://forkknifespoon.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/moutarde/

I have eaten in Belville recently. I purposely ordered a Hamburger and pomme frites because at one point in their history they prepared this just perfectly. It was quite good but not the level I remember so clearly.

Definitely worth another try with the new chef.

I always liked Moutarde and hopefully after the renovation and tweeks to the menu it will be a destination for us. I really hope they have the baked apple surrounded by pastry again.. don't remember the French name but it was really a stand out.

Why is there a restaurant named Mustard? I never understood that. They don't specialize in mustard, do they?

Zebra wrote: Why is there a restaurant named Mustard? I never understood that. They don't specialize in mustard, do they?

Not that I know of and I *hate* mustard, so it took me a while to actually go in (and I wasn't impressed. Hopefully the changes will be an improvement).

Subject: Mustard?

Someone asked if they served mustard and they do...or did. Can't remember what the main dish was now - maybe hanger steak - but it came with a dish like an artist's palette, with different flavored mustards where the gobs of paint would normally be.

When they first opened, they would serve various mustards with vegetables and breads as their freebie... their version of bread and butter for each table.

UnderTheHill wrote: When they first opened, they would serve various mustards with vegetables and breads as their freebie... their version of bread and butter for each table.

When did they stop doing that? They served the mustards the only time I ever ate there. It was the only part of the meal I enjoyed. Love the new paint job, though.

Got a peek inside yesterday...if you don't like the paint job outside wait until you see the ceiling. I don't know what they were thinking. It's like a French restaurant in Las Vegas. Instead of a charming bistro it seems like a tourist spot that screams "LOOK PARIS!"

When did they stop doing that? They served the mustards the only time I ever ate there. It was the only part of the meal I enjoyed. Love the new paint job, though.

They didn't stop doing that (don't know about now, but they did that before until they closed)

pastoralia wrote: Got a peek inside yesterday...if you don't like the paint job outside wait until you see the ceiling. I don't know what they were thinking. It's like a French restaurant in Las Vegas. Instead of a charming bistro it seems like a tourist spot that screams "LOOK PARIS!"

I will wait to taste the food before I pass judgment.
Decor is nice but good food would put this place back on my list.

They have their menu posted outside. Uninspiring. If you go let me know if the food is actually good.

[quote="pastoralia"]They have their menu posted outside. Uninspiring. If you go let me know if the food is actually good.[/quote

You go first!

Seriously, I have nice memories of meals there so I will check it out and let you and everyone know what I think.

According to the Times, it reopens tomorrow... here is what they had to say.

MOUTARDE, LE BISTRO DE LA RUE The owners of Moutarde Café, a Park Slope staple for many years, replaced the traditional bistro menu with simpler and cheaper fare: appetizers, all $6.75, and most main courses, poêlées, $13.95, in skillets (poêles in French). (Opens June 10): 239 Fifth Avenue (Carroll Street), Park Slope, Brooklyn, (718) 623-3600.

It was open the last couple of days when I walked past. Lots of folks out in the sidewalk seating, which looked nice.