The old adage of not judging a book by its cover is one I firmly stand by when it comes to restaurants. It came in handy when visiting newly opened Cordon Rouge Bistro. The eatery may be small, but it packs a tasty punch.
Situated in a cozy spot downtown, I almost missed it when walking by. Preceding the actual restaurant is a gated outdoor patio with one quaint candlelit table—it looks like a great spot for a romantic dinner. The inside of the small bistro (which also offers plenty of bakery options) was like being inside a finely crafted, albeit poorly lit, French painting. Name anything French, and it was there, right down to the Sallade Nicoise on the menu.
A standout feature of the restaurant is the fully functional, rose-gold-tinted antique coffee machine situated in front of the kitchen. It was like something out of a period piece film, and I couldn’t stop staring at it.
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After tearing my eyes away from the coffee machine, I turned my attention to the menu. While the chicken salad sandwich and steak sandwich options seemed appetizing, I chose the duck burger, consisting of freshly ground duck breast cooked medium rare and served on brioche with housemade blueberry ketchup. The dish comes with French fries fried in duck fat and sprinkled with fleur de sel, or “flower of salt.”
Full disclosure: This was my first time trying duck. I had always thought the animal would taste too “gamey” for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. The meat was cooked more on the medium side of medium-rare, and it was delectable.
The duck fat fries were just as good as the burger itself, with the fat adding an extra layer of deliciousness. The fries were oven-fried, extra crispy and seasoned perfectly. I could’ve eaten a bucket full.
Before ordering, a staffer told me that the duck burger is by far the most popular dish at Cordon Rouge. It flies out of the kitchen; customers can’t get enough. I now see why—the duck burger is fantastic.
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With so many food options in downtown Baton Rouge, picking one can be overwhelming. If you’re looking to spend a romantic, and very French, evening at a downtown restaurant, though, Cordon Rouge is the perfect choice.
Cordon Rouge Bistro is at 334 Third St., and is now serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Fast Break is a 225 Dine series that celebrates lunch in Baton Rouge. Follow along as we tour different lunch spots around the city.