| About: | Fine dining French cuisine with a California twist. Owner/Chef moved to California from France 8 years ago and cooks with local organic produce using the freshest ingredience. Housemade sauces and desserts as well as nightly specials are offered. |
| Categories: | French Restaurants |
| Parking: | Lot |
| Payment: | Visa, MasterCard, American Express |
| Specialities: | French/ California cuisine |
| Associations: | California Restaurant Association Aptos Chamber |
| Products and Services: | Banquets & Catering, Fine Dining |
| Languages Spoken: | English/French |
| Year Established: | 2001 |
| Cuisine: | French |
| Ambiance: | Casual, Romantic |
| Feature: | Bar, Catering, Healthy Options, Outdoor Seating, Private Rooms |
| Reservations Policy: | Suggested |
| Dress Code: | casual smart |
| Price: | $20 - $30 |
Pros: Excellent food especially their seafood, friendly staff, reasonably priced, very much like the Parisian cafes/restaurants.
Cons: It's only located in Aptos and not in San Jose where I live :-(
Went here for Valentine's dinner and it was amazing. There was French music playing in the background which really reminded us of the little french restaurants we went to in Paris. Very cozy.
Dinner - They had a 4 course prix fixe menu for dinner and my husband had the crab cocktail which was amazing and I had the duck pate which ok. We both had the cauliflower soup which was so creamy and flavorful. My husband is not a fan of cauliflower and even he liked the soup a lot - that says something. For our entree, we both had this seafood dish which as my husband says was "verrrrry good". It was a plate of mussels, shrimp, salmon, scallops, some white fish and legumes (carrots, mushroom and some zucchini) all in this AMAZING creamy broth. I don't know what was in there but it was so good. I even did something I know was bad for a french restaurant - I dipped as much bread as I could get my hands on into that broth. It was SOOOOO good. For dessert we had these heart shaped chocolate cups with passion fruit custard, a raspberry sauce and some fruit.
Even the hostess and owner, Janet was great. She came over and talked with us for about 15 minutes before we left and she was so friendly and helpful (was easier to do since we were one of the last ones in there). We are definitely returning the next time we are in the area. Bittersweet Bistro used to be our usual until our dinner here tonight. We now have a new favorite.
Simply amazing food. French cuisine that rivals what you will find in the city or wine country. Don't forget to try the crab cakes, which are local award winners. Also has a nice wine list - handsome and worthy bottles at fair/mid-range prices.
Janet and Lionel LeMorvan have created a classic French restaurant in the heart of Aptos. The menu features French favorites such as Coq Au Vin, spectacular roast duck in a blueberry gastric, fall-off the bone lamb shanks served over a tasty ratatouille and the best house-made country pate this side of Paris! The ambiance of the restaurant is stylish, french country style featuring art by local artists and made even more welcoming by the LeMorvan couple. The wine list is superb, with selections from both France and California. Save room for dessert, as all are made in house and feature something for every taste -- including a daily special dessert. You won't be disappointed by headed to Aptos, and winding up in Paris at MaMaison!