CYPRUS RESTAURANT REVIEW : La Maison Fleurie

By Patrick Skinner

 

The menu here has changed little over the years and it is an expansive one, with a range of starters, soups, fish and meat dishes which depend on ingredients imported directly from France by the management, who have built up a network of high quality suppliers. The décor of the spacious premises has recently had a makeover, and the feeling is both modern and old-fashioned because the ambience of a comfortable provincial French restaurant is maintained.

We started with Hare Paté (£11.00) which was properly coarse-grained and gamey in flavour, French in every respect and Coquille Saint Jacques (£10.00 – scallops in Béchamel Sauce, cheesed and shown a hot grill). Among other openers on offer were snails Burgundy style (£6.00), Duck Liver Paté (£11.00), Carpaccio of Salmon (£10), and a range of soups.

Main courses are classic. Among the fish, shrimp, salmon and Dover sole are notable, with fresh Lobster à la Armoricaine at £39.00.  We chose from the meat dishes: Duck Marco Polo (£14.00) for me, and Saddle of Rabbit in a creamy, mustardy sauce ((£11.00) for my wife.  My dish, Le Patron Giannis Ioannou told me was composed of imported Confit de Canard, with a sweet and sour sauce.   Next time we go we shall try to other main courses that caught our eye; Chicken fillet stuffed with Duck Paté (£12.00) and Gigot of Lamb with Truffles (£12.00).

You don’t find Fondue Bougignonne (tender beef fillet pieces, which you cook yourself at the table, served with a range of sauces) or Chateaubriand on offer very frequently these days, but two of you can enjoy them at La Maison Fleurie at £28.00 each.

As we dined a steady flow of cars drew up outside and the occupants disappeared into the restaurant’s Patisserie next door, to re-appear with boxes of the delicious Gateaux made on the premises. Giannis offers a selection of these delights, chocolate all through, chocolate with champagne and creamy creations to his restaurant customers and they cannot be resisted. Needless to say, as befits a restaurant so proud of its French Connection, there is a good cheese board.

The wine list is adequate, built around French imports whose provenance is not disclosed. We chose a reliable Bordeaux from Calvet, priced at £23.00.  More explanation of what is on offer is needed (not necessarily giving vintages, but indicating the producers’ names) and a few updates could be made. Wine is nicely served, with the ceremony of ‘candling’ and decanting well done.

Service is efficient and friendly and the flow of dishes good.  Taped music is French – melodic nostalgic hits of the 1970’s and 80s.

 

La Maison Fleurie,  member of “The Charming Hotels  and Restaurants”. Christaki Kanou, 18, Lemesos. Lunch (12.00 -3.00 pm), dinner (7.00 – 11.30 pm) Monday to Saturday. Closed Sunday. Disabled access. Major cards.
Tel. +357 25320680.  Meal for two with wine from £75.00 up.

 

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Copyright – Palskinner Publishing, 2007