Romancing The Frites at Mimi’s Cafe

Please don’t call them fries. They are FRITES!

The frites recipe is a result of more than two months of traveling throughout France this past spring, where the Mimi’s Cafe culinary team sampled authentic French frites and talked with local chefs in brasseries, bistros and Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, Brittany and Normandy. It was in France that the Mimi’s Cafe team learned of the French government’s designation of fait maison law, which is given only to food that is “homemade” or made “in-house,” not off-site. That was the inspiration for Mimi’s Cafe to hand-cut and double-fry their frites fresh, everyday, in each restaurant.

Made with real Russet potatoes grown on a collective of four family farms in Idaho, the frites are hand-cut, larger than half an inch, which are double cooked – first blanched and cooled, then fried to order, never frozen, yielding frites that are crispy and golden on the outside, and light and fluffy on the inside. Finally, the frites are seasoned with sea salt and fresh herbs.

(Photos by Allen Taylor Photography)

It’s been awhile since I last saw Executive Chef Katie. We got to chat with her throughout dinner, it was such a treat to say the least. I mean, how often do you get to sit and dine with THE CHEF? It was also great to catch up with all my beautiful friends. You know the evening was going to be great when you’re greeted with a glass of wine upon arrival.

The Frites Grill menu features five new classic meat and potato combinations including Steak Frites, Roasted Chicken & Frites, Grilled Chicken & Frites, Grilled Atlantic Salmon & Frites and Meyer Lemon Mussels & Frites.Although not part of The Frites Grill menu, you can request to substitute frites with salad. Each of the Frite Grill entree comes with half a pound of frites. Yes, you heard it right – 1/2 pound! I so appreciate having this option so that when I dine with Allen, we can share his frites and I get to have my salad, too.

The Grilled Chicken & Frites is a 1/2 lb of all-white meat, lean and savory chicken breast grilled with house-made rosemary herbs de Provence butter, served  with the new hand-cut frites. If you have special dietary restriction, just ask. One of the guests at our table is a vegetarian and ordered this delicious Fettuccine in Marinara Sauce.
Love seafood? Try this Grilled Salmon & Frites. Fresh Atlantic Salmon is grilled to perfection and served with lemon garlic butter and authentic, crispy, golden frites, with a colorful garnish of sautéed spinach. Steak lovers don’t fret. Mimi’s Cafe is proud to bring this delicious Steak Frites to you and serves it with a flavorful 28-day aged 10-ounce New York strip steak, along with house-made thyme garlic butter and over a half pound of the new classic frites.

Don’t miss this amazing Roast Chicken & Frites. It is a slow-roasted half chicken served with house-made rosemary herbs de Provence butter and the new rustic-cut frites. I would absolutely order this again. As I mentioned before, if you want a lighter meal, ask to substitute the frites with salad. To me, that is a perfect meal!

The Mussels & Frites is also a must-try. We skipped the frites for this because there were so much frites already. Mimi’s Cafe’s version of this classic comfort food adds the sweetness of Meyer lemon to create an ambrosial American-French classic. The Meyer Lemon Mussels & Frites are served in a white wine, lemon broth with fresh herbs, those divine frites and garlic crostini. I am not kidding you when I say it can turn a non-mussle-lover into a mussle-lover.

Chef Katie told us we had to try the Creme Brulee Cheesecake. French vanilla custard cheesecake with a caramelized sugar crust. Served with strawberry purée. Oh my goodness. It’s double delicious! 

We always walked away with great swag bag with lots of goodies and souvenirs. We got to enjoy these delicious muffins and pastries for breakfast the next day!

Thank you so much to Mimi’s Cafe, Chef Katie and the entire staff for your hospitality! I love Mimi’s Cafe and now I have 5 more reasons to visit.

Have you visited Mimi’s Cafe lately? If not, it’s time to go and try the new Frites Grill menu. Let me know which dish is your favorite. Bon Appétit!