Fleurie

by Charlottesville29

Fleurie108 3rd St. NE . Charlottesville, VA . (434) 971-7800
http://fleurierestaurant.com/

Why Fleurie?

Rumors of fine dining’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Sure, recent years have seen a rise in downscale eats, offering inexpensive ways to eat well, without pomp and circumstance. All the while, chef-owner Brian Helleberg has sustained his serene temple of elevated French cuisine on the downtown mall, Fleurie.

How has Helleberg bucked the downscale trend? It’s not stubbornness. It’s passion. Having worked under such legends as Yannick Cam, Gerard Panguad, and Jean-Yves Schillinger, Helleberg loves everything about sophisticated French dining – the experience, the service, the presentation, and of course the food. Fleurie reflects Helleberg’s passion, remaining one of the few places in town where you can still dine on crisp, white table cloths, and where the servers are committed professionals. The food is exquisite, too, celebrating the attention to detail demanded by classic French cooking, with the kitchen’s own riffs.

What to Order

Fleurie offers a daily three-course prix-fixe menu. Since it changes often, dish availability can vary. Below are our picks, Helleberg’s picks, and appearances in Five Finds on Friday, where a local chef or personality has named an item from Fleurie as one of the best in town.

Our Picks

  • Autumn Olive Farms’ Heritage Pork, Prepared Nose to Tail (2018 Dish of the Year)
  • Seared Foie Gras
  • Sautéed Skate
  • Whole Poached Lobster
  • Lamb du Jour
  • Warm Chocolate Cake

Chef/Owner’s Picks

  • Sautéed Veal Sweetbreads with sunchokes, pickled pearl onions and veal jus
  • Lamb Carpaccio with haricots verts and shallot salad
  • Vanilla Mille Feulle with inverted puff pastry, candied orange and thyme

Five Finds on Friday Picks

Fleurie plate

Photo by Tom McGovern