These are troubling
times, what with a possible war on the horizon and the economy
in the pits. But a French man and his wife hope to heal us –
one cassoulet at a time.
In January, Jean-Francois Fraysse and his wife, Melva Max, who
own La Luncheonette in Manhattan, opened Quercy on Court Street,
bringing with them a little je ne sais quoi, not to mention good
eating, to Cobble Hill.
Named for Fraysse’s hometown, located "halfway between Toulouse
and Bordeaux in Southwest France," the restaurant offers
a "very nice" wine list and true French comfort classics:
foie gras, rabbit stew and blanquette de veau (veal stew). Fraysse
does not want to sound "too proud," but proclaims his
cassoulet, or meat and bean stew, to be "one of the best
in the city."
The decor, according to Fraysse, is "very warm with a blue-and-white
checkered floor, ah, red wood on the walls and many ’skunks.’"
Skunks? He meant sconces, candlelit sconces that add a romantic
glow to the room. As far as service goes, Fraysse says of his
waitstaff, "They are very sympathetic. We try our best."
Quercy (242 Court St. at Baltic Street) accepts cash only. Entrees:
$12-$24. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays
through Sundays and is closed on Mondays. For reservations call
(718) 243-2151.
