Life Style Magazine January 1997
	Diners in far North Dallas are always in search of fine dining. As a matter of fact, they are hungry for it. Granted, there are more restaurants on the Beltline strip between the Tollway and Midway than on most major thoroughfares, but very few are of the fine dining caliber.
	Gourmands out North welcomed Mediterreano, Ruggeri's and Mi Piaci with open arms. All three offer predominately Italian menus. Recently, a fine French dining spot has opened in the area.
	Lavendou, the sibling to Chez Gerard on McKinney, has opened in the strip center on Preston Road, north of Frankford. Although drive-up appeal off busy Preston Road may not be the best for a restaurant, Lavendou's bright yellow awning and lattice-covered patio make it the most inviting spot in the center.
	Once inside, the cozy French atmosphere transcends the diner to a more comfortable setting. The mustard and navy colored Pierre Deux prints and pine-stained armoires and bookshelves give the restaurant a homey feel. Lighted wall scones and large table lamps added to the evening's atmosphere.
	Some of the dishes sampled at Lavendou brought back memories of wonderful meals from past culinary trips to France. For openers, the Gratinee a l'Oignon (the onion soup) was as good as I can remember. A thick blanket of Gyuere cheese practically encased the bowl, which was chockfull of carmelized onions, flavorful broth and more cheese. Rich, hot and hearty. Of the entrees, my favorites were the fish specialties. Filet de Mahi Mahi Barigoule, Mahi Mahi with artichokes, consisted of a grilled filet of Mahi Mahi on a bed of braised scallions with sauteed baby artichokes. The dish offered three distinct, flavorful textures. The Saumon au Cavier Daubergine Sauce Verte ran a close second. The filet's pink center was just as it should be prepared, and the eggplant and basil cream sauce, smooth and perfectly seasoned, was its "crowning glory".
	The restaurant already seems to have a loyal following from those who live in the area. Even though Lavendou is not on my beaten path, I'll take the Tollway out North to experience more memorable delicacies from the South of France.
	The Chef at Lavendou has also created a new Spa Menu featuring lighter cuisine exclusively prepared for Renée Rouleau Skin Spa Clientele.
	Big Nights The Guide's 10 Best Dining Experience's of '96 January 3, 1997
	Lavendou - "God is in the details," the favorite aphorism of the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, could be the slogan of Lavendou. The country French bistro in Far North Dallas is owned by Pascal Cayet, who also has Chez Gerard on McKinney, and Espartaco Borga, who was a co-founder of the ZuZu Mexican chain. They have carefully orchestrated every aspect of the restaurant, from the flower-sprigged tablecloths that were silk-screened by hand to the miniature boxes of mints that appear at the meal's end. The result is warm with color and charm - and chef Jean Marie Cadot's food will lift your spirits, too. Our favorite dishes included escargots in puff pastry; mussels in a saffron-scented cream and white wine sauce; rotisserie duck with black currants; salmon in an emerald-green basil sauce; and Tournedos Felix Faure, the peppered steak that is a signature dish at Chez Gerard. Service was still shaky when we reviewed Lavendou in late November, but we like its fairly priced French and California wine list - a detail so many new restaurants are overlooking.
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