Chateau France Restaurant
(727) 894-7163
136 4th Ave NE
St Petersburg,
FL
33701
27.7763
-82.6335
Neighborhood: North Downtown
What People Are Saying About Chateau France Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
As soon as you step into the foyer, you know you're going to be pampered. Gaze deliriously at the clean stemware so perfectly arranged and the beautiful view from the lace-curtained bay window to the quiet streets beyond. Start with scallops au citron--shellfish delicately pooled in a silky lemon sauce. Move on to the poulet roullade, breast of chicken baked with lobster meat. Finish off with crepes suzette made fresh at the table with orange, cognac and Gran Marnier.
User Reviews
titaribeiro
May 06, 2009
Is realy the best restaurante that I have been. The people that say bad, don´t have an idea what is a fine dinning and what is realy food. They just know what is a hamburger and coke, finish! If you don´t have pedigree enought, please don´t go there, you must have culture to know what you eat.
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foodheaven
December 31, 2008
Fine dining on my anniversary is a given. For 4 out of 5 anniversaries, we have spent our romantic dinner at a well-renowned bistro in Holmes Beach. Two years ago, we opted for a change and landed at the Vinoy. Having read the reviews of Chateu France, I made reservations. I must say I'm really confused on how well I can trust these reviews because our experience was so bad that I still can't believe the doors are apparently open. We showed up and were escorted upstairs while dodging a leaky roof. We ordered tea as a beginning refreshment, cocktails to come later since it was very humid and hot outside. No tea...we asked for water and after a long while the waiter brought out a dusty bottle Fiji water at room temperature. We looked curiously for other diners, but now I'm thinking the "ghosts" must have abducted them. We decided to stay for an appetizer. The pate was ok if you are used to grocery-store style. It soon became abundantly clear that we needed to depart before we were sucked in any further. They say first impressions are huge; well that would be true. We fled and went to Marchand's at the Vinoy, which was good, but let's just say the romantic mood had been ruined by then. We sat there in disbelief at the experience. So as I read more recent reviews again that rave about this restaurant, I'm really confused. Is it a lure to get people there? Was there something going on the night we visited this restaurant. Had the "ghosts" had a party the night before taking the staff and clearing the pantry? What gives? Needless to say, we have spent our more recent anniversaries down in Holmes Beach where consistency is not an issue. If anyone has insight into what the roller-coaster ride is about I'd love to know. I hope we just went on the one worst night possible and the restaurant has restored its charm and quality to those of the reviews I had previously read, but I don't think I'd make the drive across the bridge again to take that chance.
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wenbour
June 26, 2008
Where do you take your girlfriend for dinner on her birthday when you've been dating for two months? Depends on the relationship. I offered up three suggestions and my boyfriend and I both wanted to try Chateau France. We chose it before I read the scathing reviews of the restaurant on this site, and decided to stick with our decision so we could judge for ourselves. We went June 23, a Monday. We were greeted warmly as we pulled up to the valet area by our server, and inside, by the owner. The place was empty. One other couple was seated upstairs; we passed them on the way to our table. Hmmmm, I thought, is that a bad sign? Happily, not in our case. Once we ordered champagne and water and they had been served, privacy descended upon us. However, our server would appear just when we needed him. We began with escargot in puff pastry, which was delicious. (We passed on the salad.) I had the sea bass entree and my BF had the duck. His was good; mine was phenomenal. The fish was cooked exactly right - delicate and moist - and the sauce was flavorful, but not overpowering. For dessert, we both had souffles - mine with chocolate sauce and my boyfriend's with Grand Marnier. Again, his was good, and mine was phenomenal. (His opinion as well as mine.) Closer to the end of the meal, my BF, being an easygoing, friendly guy, struck up a conversation with our server, who told us that not long ago, a waiter who worked at Chateau France for one month quit after falling down the flight of stairs. The server said the restaurant was haunted, and that the former employee didn't fall, but was pushed by a ghost. He told this story with a grave face. Whether he honestly believed what he was saying or it was BS, didn't seem to matter, because he was very convincing - and entertaining. Needless to say, we enjoyed ourselves immensely and will return to Chateau France. I highly recommend it for couples.
read full reviewThe Details on Chateau France Restaurant
Eat and Stroll:
After dinner, walk to the park overlooking Tampa Bay.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard
