Darin Hates the French

What Darin hates much less - dining out. If he’s not on his office computer catching up on the week’s Chowbella posts, he’s downloading the newest foodie app on his Iphone. The boy is seriously into food (and certainly has ignited my own foodstuff flame). Our weekend plans are centered around what breakfast, lunch and dinner we’ll have and where. Now while I only kid about Darin hating the French, it is not a cuisine we choose often. But alas, up pops a new restaurant and Darin’s the first to know. Once a restaurant comes into Darin’s radar it lingers there sending out the “bleep bleep bleep” every so often as a reminder. Though knowing Darin, I have to wonder if the occasional bleep is much more like an ear piercing alarm not silenced until a trip is taken.

Well, getting to the point. Petite Maison came into Darin’s radar a few months ago and as soon as it did, we just had to make a visit. Since opening (mid year 2009) Petite Maison has often been described as a hidden gem in Old Town, Scottsdale. What impressed me most about this tiny tucked away French eatery was the atmosphere. Just down the road from our apartment, we were able to come to Petite Maison after only a short walk. Greeted by a romantic patio dressed with oversized umbrellas and warm lighting, we then crossed the threshold into a pocket sized dining room with breath taking wood floors, walls and ceiling. It was like being in the belly of a well crafted boat. This is the place to go when you’re looking to take your time and digest large glasses of vino and sophisticated food.

Petite Maison has a ever changing menu. Though I would hope they keep this French onion soup on the menu at all times. While I’ve tasted French onion soup previously, I never ordered it myself. Thankfully this was a generous size and Darin and I didn’t have to fight over it too much. The cheese was thick and stringy, not making it the easiest thing to gobble down though that didn’t stop us at all. This would be heaven on a cold day.

Our second appetizer, contrasting from the steamy crock of soup, was a serving of chilled steak tartar. It surprises me that Darin squirms at raw fish but he can down a scoop of uncooked beef. I’ve had steak tartar one or two other places and unfortunately, have to say that I liked Petite Maison’s the least. I prefer it thick and chunky over finely chopped and topped with a fried egg. But that’s just my own personal preference.

You wouldn’t be able to tell by this poor quality photo but this is Darin’s bacon-wrapped (SURPRISE SURPRISE) pork medallions with white asparagus & brussel sprouts. There wasn’t much in the way of the bacon but the pork medallions more than made up for this. I don’t remember taking a piece to try though I did fork up a couple of the brussel sprouts - yum!

Again, another lovely picture. Smoked chicken stuffed with goat cheese on a bed of scallion mashed potatoes. The first bite was delicious - we even commented to the waiter about the intense smokey flavor. Two bites after the compliment, the intensity got a bit too much. I’m ok with an added smoke flavor, but when it feels like I’ve bit into a chicken with black lung, I’ve gotta put the fork down.

Always my favorite part of the meal! Our creme brulee. Simple, delicate and hits the spot each and every time.