Restaurant Review: Fleur de Sel, Post Falls, Idaho
Restaurant Review: Fleur de Sel
Last night Sarah and I, and our friends Jim and Daun visited Post Falls’ newest restaurant,
Fleur de Sel. It was an incredible experience, and I want to share it with everyone.
The restaurant owners, Laurent and Patricia Zirotti, recently moved to Post Falls from Billings, Montana,
where Jim and Daun had taken us for dinner at their previous restaurant, Enzo Mediterranean Bistro, some months past.
When we heard they were here, we had to check it out.
Where is it?
In the same building as the Highlands Day Spa, 4365 E Inverness Dr, Post Falls.
What’s does the name mean?
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. Traditional French 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 most expensive salts in the world and is usually sold in jars as it is slightly damp.
What’s on the menu?
Take a look at their gourmet French inspired menu here.
What was it like?
Fleur de Sel is a white-linen restaurant, with warm colored accents and rich decor. The Zirotti’s have struck the perfect balance between high class and comfortable. I don’t want to remove all of the mystery and discovery that you will experience visiting this restaurant, so let me just tell you about the menu items I really enjoyed.
We started with a white shrimp and vegetable friture, and the Bristro Fries Provencale. They were both top notch. The shrimp and veggies were tempura fried, and the potatoes were served hot, with appropriate garlic and seasoning.
The soup du jour was a seafood recipe that is to die for! Besides the halibut cheek and scallops, the broth was full flavored and I had to soak up every last drop. On the side of this soup came some garlic bread and a saffron aioli sauce. I could have died right then happy. But there was another course.
I couldn’t resist ordering the Grilled Sausage of Duck and Duck Leg Confit Grand-Mere. Throughout the menu I encountered words that I did not understand, and the wait staff was happy to help me along without condescending. The Sausage of Duck was INCREDIBLE. I was skeptical at first, but became a convert with the first bite. The leg tasted amazing too, it was prepared perfectly to not be greasy.
For dessert I ordered my usual, Creme Bruleé, and it came out excellent. Sarah begrudgingly let me sneak a bite of her flourless chocolate cake with chantilly cream and jalapeño coulis and gelato. The warm-cold and the sweet-spicy interplay of that dessert is amazing.
Jim enjoyed his Bison Burger, and Daun enjoyed her Scallop and Shimp Pasta, and Sarah enjoyed her brined Pork Loin.
What about the beverages?
OK, we are the “wine & beer people” so we should definitely report on the beverage selection. Since I had already tasted a bunch of wine & beer that day, I went for a Bombay Sapphire Martini, which was mixed dry and perfect. Jim ordered an Avery White Rascal, which is a great Belgian Witte style beer. For brews the menu has a handful of “normal” beers, as well as a handful of micros that covers all the bases from dark to hoppy.
For glass pours, the selection is great with a handful each of red and white wine choices that you will be familiar with if you’ve searched the Enoteca – Fine Wine & Beer shelves, such as Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc, Dr. Loosen Riesling, 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon, and Boomtown Merlot.
If you’re ready to order a bottle, some wines featured at Enoteca tasting events on the list include: Cuvée Anne Laure Alsace Gewürtztraminer, Boomtown Merlot, Mercer Estates Merlot, Rex Hill Pinot Noir, Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Franc and Pepperbridge Cabernet Sauvignon. Others that you’ll also see on our shelf, and we recommend trying include Caymus Napa Cabernet, Amavi Syrah, L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot, Baroli Barolo, Gruet Sparkling wine, Cloudy Bay, and the sweet Château Beylieux Sauternes.
What was your overall impression?
For high class dining, Fleur de Sel is a great experience. The affordable menu prices mean everyone can experience it early and often. The unique and delicious flavors of the food are wonderful, but the service really stands out.
Make reservations by calling 208-777-7600. Let them know Russell & Sarah at Enoteca sent you.
– Russell Mann