At FRNDS, we celebrate the art of French cooking with our tasteful menu, exquisite plating and top-tier service.
We’re a French restaurant with a twist, as we also have a series of Japanese dishes on the menu. In short, at FRNDS, East meets West.
That said, if you’re looking for one of the best French restaurants in Dubai, look no further. Our menu is tightly orientated around the fundamentals of French cooking. Namely, great ingredients handled with care and served with panache.
Without further ado, let’s dive into what makes French cuisine so unique, and understand why it’s one of the most coveted forms of cooking.
What makes French cuisine unique?
France has a long and storied tradition of making the kitchen the single most important area of the home. Today, many of the world’s greatest chefs are either from France, or trained in France.
French cuisine is known for its:
- Sauces: Whether it’s a hollandaise, béchamel, velouté or espagnole, French sauces go down in folklore. They’re the very foundation of the dish and are regularly used in savory meals.
- Technical precision: Techniques such as braising, sautéing, roasting, and baking are fundamental to French cooking and require skill and precision to execute effectively.
- History: One of the earliest French cookbooks dates back to the 14th century when, during Medieval times, huge banquets would be organized for the aristocracy,
- Wine: France is one of the winemaking capitals of the world, and it’s believed that no good meal is complete without a carefully-paired glass of wine.
- Pâtisseries: The French have a sweet tooth, and their pastries are something of an artform. At FRNDS, our Head Pastry Chef is Kevin Jouhier, an experienced master of his craft who has baked for some of the biggest stars in the world.
Looking for a French restaurant in Dubai? Reserve your table at FRNDS today and discover the uniqueness of French cuisine first-hand.
What is a typical French menu?
A good French menu has signature breakfast dishes, hot and cold starters, soup, pâtisseries – including eclairs and macaroons – and a healthy selection of meat and seafood dishes.
As a French cuisine restaurant (with nods to Japan as well), here are some of our signature French dishes:
- Venison: Said to be a favorite meal of King Louis the 14th, this venison dish has a sauce of deer jus, red wine, cognac and dark chocolate.
- Why it’s a signature French dish: The flavors are incredibly rich, decadent and unique. The combination of the meat, the alcohol, and the chocolate elevate the dish. Plus, it’s a classic recipe you have to try.
- Beef rossini: Black Angus tenderloin, foie gras, black truffle and a perigueux sauce made with port.
- Why it’s a signature French dish: The meat is tender, the black truffle is distinct, and the perigueux sauce (madeira wine and truffles) is rich. The foie gras caps everything off for a truly delicious, distinctly French meal.
- Le pigeon: Grilled pigeon, foie gras, truffle rossini sauce, fondant potatoes
- Why it’s a signature French dish Pigeon is often used as a protein in French cooking, though it’s less common in other cultures.
What ingredients are used in French cooking?
French cooking makes use of a series of signature ingredients. Here are a few standout examples:
- Meat: The French use a lot of beef, lamb and chicken, but they also hero game as well. At FRNDS, we do a signature pigeon dish.
- Butter: Butter is a fundamental ingredient in French cooking, used for sautéing, baking, and making sauces like beurre blanc and beurre noisette.
- Garlic: Like butter, garlic is another French staple, used to add flavor.
- Onions and Shallots: Onions and shallots are frequently used as aromatic bases for sauces, soups, and braised dishes.
- Wine: Wine, both red and white, is used in cooking to deglaze pans, add depth to sauces (like coq au vin), and marinate meats.
- Cream: Cream (crème fraîche or heavy cream) is often used to add richness and texture to sauces, soups, and desserts.
- Cheese: French cheeses are celebrated worldwide. Often, the cheese is enjoyed with a glass of wine on its own.
- Eggs: Eggs are used in many French dishes, both as a main ingredient (quiche, omelettes) and for binding and enriching sauces and desserts.
As one of the best French restaurants in Dubai, we’re passionate about the ins and outs of French cooking. Want to try our food first-hand? Or perhaps you’re looking to return for another visit? No problem – make a reservation on our website today.