FLEUR DE SEL

FLEUR DE SEL

The story behind the chef at Fleur De Sel is written on their website, so instead of re-writing it and butchering their deep history, I decided to pick my favorite parts and add them here. For the full story visit their website. “Fleur de Sel: (“Flower of salt” in French) is a hand -harvested sea salt collected by workers who scrape only the top layer of salt before it sinks to the bottom of large salt pans. Fleur de sel is collected off the coast of Brittany and also Camargue, and is slightly grey due to the sandy minerals collected in the process of harvesting the salt from the pans. Fleur de sel is one of the most expensive salts in the world and is usually sold in jars as it is slightly damp.”

Fleur De Sel chef, “Laurent Zirotti grew up in France influenced by the cooking of his French mother and Italian grandmother. At age 15 he began a three-year program at Thonon-les-Bains, a prestigious hotel and catering school in the French Alps.” In 2008, after many years of training and work in the restaurant and hospitality industry, “including starting their own restaurant in Billings, Laurent and Patricia came to Post Falls to begin a new adventure of opening their own restaurant Fleur de Sel at the Highlands Day Spa in Post Falls. The restaurant has focused on a neighborhood atmosphere, fresh local produce and regional bistro French cooking as well as Northern Italian dishes from the Piedmont where Laurent’s family is from.” 

There is a famous french saying “Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es” which translates to, “Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you what you are”. This is what I think after finishing my meal at Fleur De Sel. A gorgeous sun set over the city, a plate of chicken and truffles in front of me, dim lighting, good conversation, and friendly service are a few of the highlights that come to mind when I think of this meal. Fleur De Sel fed all my senses well and made my heart (and stomach) happy.

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Right now, at Fleur De Sel, they are serving their Winter Menu which is a great blend of seafood, duck, pork, vegetables, lamb, and (my favorite) chicken and truffles. Your meal at Fleur de Sel is best enjoyed if you order by course so the chef can prepare each dish with perfect timing. We started with the Foie gras panna cotta appetizer. Most of the appetizers at Fleur De Sel are small in portion, but that leaves you room and keeps you wanting more with each course.

This panna cotta was creamy and bold, best enjoyed spread generously on a piece of their thinly sliced 4 spices bread (which looked and tasted kind of like a mild banana bread) and topped with a thin layer of the sweet rhubarb jam. Like all fabulous dishes, the foie gras is topped with Italian black truffles so make sure you get a little piece of that with each bite.

This appetizer is like nothing I have ever tried and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Foie Gras is made of fatty goose or duck liver and when paired with pan cotta it becomes extra creamy and sweet. If Alisa hadn’t suggested we order this, I never would have tried it. But, I am so glad we did! This is why I always try to be adventurous when you ordering out. And most of the time I am pleasantly surprised! I’d highly recommend ordering something different every time you go out to eat. This has truly changed the way I dine.

After our “la belle farm” foie gras, we tried their shrimp, avocado, and fresh mozzarella salad. Again, this portion was small but we wanted to save room for dessert so it all worked out. These appetizers are perfect to split with one other person if you each want one bite, if that helps put it into perspective. This salad was mixed with a basil oil and balsamic glaze. It was fresh and light and the chef let the ingredients do the talking without trying to add a lot of extras.

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For our entrees we tried two of the Fleur De Sel favorites. I tried the Chicken and truffles, “A Fleur de Sel specialty” and Alisa tried the Confit de canard “aux epices”. Don’t be afraid to eat at Fleur De Sel just because you don’t understand the menu. Our waitress did a great job of explaining the specials and answering all of our questions about the menu. The entrees go for about $15-$25 and the portions are much more generous that the appetizers. My Chicken & truffles was drowning in their Italian Black truffles cream sauce and I was practically drinking it when my chicken and mushroom ravioli were cleared. The chicken was very tender and the presentation was beautiful without going over-the-top.

The Confit de canard “aux epices” was complete with a large, well-seasoned piece of duck that flaked right off the bone, grilled duck sausage, and placed atop fennel, bell peppers, potatoes in a balsamic sauce with green peppercorn demi glaze. Let’s just say it would be extremely difficult to come back to Fleur De Sel and not order either of these dishes as my entree. They both completely WOW’ed us.

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The entrees at Fleur De Sel are timeless as well as their desserts. They keep it classic with french pastries and offer a perfect plate for two, complete with two macarons and two chocolate caramels. This dessert plate comes with house made 4 spices cheesecake filled macaron & Bite size chocolate-caramel topped with Fleur de sel.

When at Fleur de Sel, make sure you eat Fleur de Sel sea salt… right? These macarons were were worth the drive all the way to Post Falls, alone. The chocolate caramels were not at all what I was expecting. They didn’t really taste like chocolate or caramel but the consistency was perfection. They were creamy and chewy but not sticky like the caramels that are stuck in your teeth for hours. They melted in your mouth. The Fleur De Sel sea salt on top of the caramels was the perfect ending to a beautiful night, in a great atmosphere with absolutely fantastic food.

I’ll leave you with another famous french saying “Il n’y a qu’ un bonheur dans la vie, c’est d’aimer et d’être aimé” which translates to “There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved.” Fleur De Sel embodies this French happiness and they are loved by so many. They don’t ask for love, they are very modest in their ways, which makes them all the more love-able. So, next time you are wondering where to go for a nice night out, escape Washington and head to Post Falls for a romantic dinner with a view. Order the Chicken and Truffles and you, too, will fall in love.

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XOXO

Keep eating, Spokane. (And Post Falls)

Remember to tell them we sent you!

 

Fleur De Sel (4365 Inverness Dr, Post Falls, ID / 208.777.7600)

7 Comments

  1. I’m coming into your wonderful city for the first time and I have to Wine and Dine a client. What is the Best Steak House in Spokane ? Love your Blog!

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