LIC Treasure: Le Tournesol

Why do you have to travel to LIC to dine at a "neighborhood" French restaurant? 

My esteemed French teacher, Fanny, lived in Queens, and highly recommended Le Tournesol, while we sat in its sister establishment, simply called "Wine Bar."

Le Tournesol is a wonderful neighborhood French restaurant where the menu is reminiscent of a type of French restaurant that you can find all over France, and that you used to be able to find in Manhattan.  Appetizers range from French Onion soup to Frisée Aux Lardons with Poached Egg, to house made Terrine de Fois Gras.  This is the type of place where Celeri Remoulade might accompany an entree.   The Steak Frites is a hanger steak served either "au poivre" or "a la Béarnaise."  Boundaries are not being pushed.  Simple and fresh ingredients are being lovingly prepared in the "French" way.

We started with two specials, the Crabmeat Salad with Avocados and Tomatoes, and the Seared Scallops with Grapes and Beet Sauce.  For entrees, we enjoyed the Truite Amandine which was seared in butter; and the Saturday night special, a Duck Ballotine.  A whole duck breast is boned, stuffed with chicken liver and swiss chard, roasted and a generous slice is served with orange sauce, baby turnips and Pommes Anna.  For dessert we had a slice of Bread Pudding with raisins sitting in Crème Anglaise; and Iles Flottants, a delicious slice of soft meringue "floating" in a pool of that delicious Crème Anglaise.  (I have not seen Iles Flottants on a French restaurant menu, in the city, in ages, not with all the experimental and sometimes complicated desserts that dominate so many dessert menus.)

The waitstaff of 4 is quite attentive with a total of 48 guests now that outdoor tables are available.  This wonderful neighborhood restaurant is good enough to make you want to move to LIC., and to become a "regular."