Bruno Jamais Gift Certificate Giveaway!

Loyal readers of mon amie La Belette Rouge’s lovely blog will be familiar with Bruno Jamais, as she recently raved about a recent visit to this chic French restaurant with fellow blogger and jewelry designer WendyB. In any case, I couldn’t possibly do justice to the place, having never been there myself. I have it on good authority, though, that the food is luscious, the award-winning interior design is memorable, and the atmosphere is tres romantique. Oh, and that Bruno Jamais himself is Parisian. Need I say more?

Bruno Jamais’ publicist is kindly offering My Inner French Girl readers the opportunity to win a $50 gift certificate to Bruno Jamais. The rules? Well, you know I hate complicated rules, so all I ask is that you write a comment on this post giving me your favorite French dish. Whether it’s foie gras or cassoulet, I’m all about food today and want to hear your favorites. If you have a recipe, all the better, but if you just have a name, that’s fine, too.

And if you don’t have a favorite French dish, well, list your favorite food regardless of its origin. Love pesto? Who doesn’t? Do share!

To whet your appetite, here’s some information about Bruno Jamais, courtesy of KMR Communications:

Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club brings the French Riviera to the upper east side. Where else can one dine in style until 3am with delectable cuisine such as Lobster Brulee and Foie Gras? The service and décor are equally impressive. The restaurant received the “Best Interior Design” award by Hospitality Design Magazine. Now, for the first time in the restaurant’s four history, Bruno Jamais is open on Sunday nights for dinner, dancing and drinks with a reduced priced menu served from 6pm through 2am. In addition, there is also live entertainment. On a cold winter’s night, allow debonair owner Bruno Jamais to make you feel at home and beat the doldrums of winter. With Chef John Keller at the kitchen’s helm the cuisine is sure to delight even the most discerning palates. Bruno Jamais and John Keller have created a unique menu that has an Asian influence without losing its French integrity. Bruno Jamais is also the perfect place to book your private party and can accommodate up to 200 diners for a buffet dinner or 70 people for a sit down dinner. For those upper east siders who are tired of trekking downtime for a evening of fun, this exclusive venue has it all. If you are looking to see stars, celebrity patrons have included: Billy Baldwin, Joan Rivers, Cindy Adams, Chazz Palminteri and even former President Bill Clinton. Reservations are suggested and chic attire is requested.

Bruno Jamais is the quintessential French Restaurateur with suave good looks, charming accent and debonair demeanor. Prior to opening Bruno Jamais Restaurant and Club in 2002, the 4 7-year-old Parisian born Jamais was an important fixture in the culinary world as the Maitre D at restaurant Daniel. He is indebted to world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud for not only teaching him English, but also giving him the opportunity to preside over one of the country’s finest venues for classic French cuisine. While at Daniel, he wielded a powerful position catering to patrons that included world leaders, society matrons, and A-list celebrities. It was during his tenure at Daniel that Jamais learned the art of ‘managing the floor,’ assuaging egos, and making regular clients feel special. Part of his incredible success is his understanding that, “a great Maitre’ D is a good therapist.” Bruno recognized that when dealing with some of the most powerful people in the world, one must meet their level of expectations. He was savvy and knew that is was essential to do his homework and keep abreast of the individuals who comprised the movers and shakers in New York. Daniel Boulud trusted Jamais because of his keen intuition and his uncanny knack for handling people and making them feel important. Bruno believes that one of the key qualities in being a successful restaurateur means, “having respect for people and having them respect you.” He is pleased that many of his customers consider him a friend.

Following Restaurant Daniel, Bruno moved onto Alain Ducasse and then opened the eponymous Bruno Jamais Restaurant and Club in a beautiful 4,500 square foot townhouse on East 81st street that formerly housed Parioli Romanissimo. Bruno was well aware that to please an elite clientele, he had to deliver something extraordinary that surpassed a regular dining experience. To set the right ambiance, he enlisted renowned architect Tony Chi who combined a clubby living room style environment with the comfortable luxury of a first class dining room. The restaurant received the “Best Restaurant Design” Award by Hospitality Design Magazine for 2004. Bruno is a favorite discreet destination for luminaries such as Keanu Reeves, Former President Bill Clinton, Kim Cattral, The Gastineau Girls, and Spike Lee to name but a few. Jamais was inspired to combine a first class restaurant with a nightclub during his time at Daniel when regular customers would inquire where they could go to drink and dance without leaving the Upper East Side. Bruno sought to model the ambiance of his restaurant after those in the South of France that effortlessly combine fine food with a sexy, glamorous and fun environment. Bruno has obviously achieved his goal. Every night from Monday through Saturday after the dinner crowd has finished their meal, the restaurant transforms into a supper club with DJ music and live bands. Bruno Jamais Restaurant and Club is unique because it does not solely attract the usual twenty something crowd, nor does it aspire to. Instead, it has an eclectic mix of patrons of all ages who appreciate an atmosphere that evokes memories of the legendary Regine’s nightclub.

Recently, Bruno enlisted John Keller as the new chef. Keller’s formidable experience includes Nobu and Le Bernardin. Together Jamais and Keller created a twist on the menu that lent an Asian influence without losing the integrity of the French cuisine. Signature dishes include the appetizer lobster brulee, the braised short ribs and an irresistible chocolate soufflé. Keller’s philosophy is, “simple elegance without overdoing it.”

The restaurant business is in Bruno’s blood, working from the age of 15 in his father’s restaurants in Paris and eventually moving on to other notable Parisian establishments such as Lucas Carton, and Le Doyen. Bruno Jamais Restaurant and Club was his first foray as an owner. He says that the most stressful part is, “maintaining the quality of the food and the dining experience, effectively promoting the establishment to an elite clientele, and the ever present awareness that in the cut-throat world of Manhattan dining, there is no room for mistakes.”

Bruno Jamais is generous with praise of colleagues and admires the skills and successes of others in the industry. He cites legendary Sirio Macioni of Le Cirque, the business strategy of Gramercy Tavern owner Danny Meyer, and Blue Water Grill owner Steve Hanson. He also acknowledges the consistent quality of Daniel’s food, and the expansion of Jean George as inspiring. During the rare nights when Bruno is not tending to his own establishment, his favorite restaurants to visit include Nobu, Café Boulud, Alain Ducasse, Le Bernardin, and La Goulue.

Okay, now I know where to eat when I finally make my way to the Big Apple! Sigh. Anyway, if you live in NYC or are planning on heading out there anytime soon, go for it! The menu is absolutely mouthwatering, with filet mignon, ahi tuna tartare, venison chops, and risotto among the many delicious options. I suspect there are plenty of other dishes on offer that aren’t included in the online menu, so you’ll be in for a treat.

The contest closes at 5:00 pm Mountain Time on Friday, February 8, 2008. The winner will be declared on Saturday, February 9th. And remember that you have to leave your comment on this post. The ever-faithful B. will do a random drawing for the lucky winner. So have a go, and bonne chance!

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