Bar Frances

Freret Street's star continues to rise with the opening of Bar Frances, a fresh French eatery with a sleek contemporary vibe and a modern take on bistro cuisine. Chef Brendan Cahill, a veteran of Char No.4, Brooklyn's Michelin Bib-Gourmand restaurant and whiskey bar, came to the Frances kitchen directly from working in Paris at Poulette, a bistro with a focus on simplicity and freshness. He brings that same less is more sensibility to Bar Frances, which is locally owned by PJ Rosenberg and Mark Latter. Small plates like snapper crudo with charred lemon and beet root tartare showcase Cahill's mission perfectly, as does a gorgeous sous vide chicken brightened with shaved radishes and grilled little gem lettuce. Cheeses and charcuterie pair well with choices from the 25-plus wines by the glass, a good representation of the more than 100 bottle list. Whether it's nibbles and vin on the patio facing the street or dinner in the understated dining room, Bar Frances delivers a decidedly fresh experience. This is a restaurant that isn't trying to be New Orleans, it's something else altogether.