THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Tournesol

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Tournesol Restaurant Review:

The cozy white tablecloth setting, friendly service and an enticing roster of bistro classics at affordable prices would make this neighborhood spot---in a hot neighborhood---a winner, even if Éric Aubriot weren’t involved with partners Julie Palmer and Michael Smith in what clearly is a labor of love. If you’re a couple, request one of the corner tables on a black banquette. There is a simple yet beautiful dining room with a high level of comfort and low noise level. Openers include a caramelized onion tart spiked with bacon and paired with a petite salad, poached leeks in red wine vinaigrette, escargots with cremini mushrooms in garlic butter and house-made chicken liver mousse. The salade lyonnaise vies for attention with a salade Niçoise showcasing top-quality ahi tuna. Pan-seared trout in caper brown butter, braised rabbit leg in whole-grain mustard sauce and veal kidneys with shallot-cream sauce typify the entrées, along with steak frites and roast chicken. A trio of custards---vanilla crème brûlée, crème caramel and chocolate pot de crème---is the top dessert. Excellent wine list with good choices at moderate prices. Half bottles and wines available by the glass, too.