The picturesque southern French region of Normandy is renowned for its culinary delights and timeless charm. Windsor's new French bistro, Normandy Wine & Grill, lives up to all the promise of its titular namesake.
Upon entering Normandy, Windsor’s newest must-visit restaurant, you’re greeted by a soft and warm environment decorated minimally to accentuate the sublime dishes by seasoned chef Azem Dzevlan (Bistro Thierry, Black Gold) and warm service provided by the truly-wonderful manager and sommelier Jeremy Letur (Stokehouse, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and L’Hotel Gitan).
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Normandy’s menu is the perfect size for what they’re trying to accomplish. It’s quite the feat either, by no means small for two chefs, one on the cold section and with Dzevlan manning the grill. It’s a menu with a variety of fresh flavours, focusing on the hyper-seasonal and it’s executed to perfection.
We started with oysters dressed with a red wine mignonette, an olive martini and a vibrant, delightful French 75 cocktail. Next, the sumptuous delight of the evening – anchovy toast with stuffed zucchini flowers on a bed of heirloom tomatoes. All of which, we can thoroughly recommend.
For entrées, we were enraptured by a classic beef carpaccio enjoyed with foaming herb-baked snails, delectable bread for dipping and a splash of Reisling to cut through the beautiful richness.
We enjoyed the wine before our generous mains of duck garnished with beetroot puree and roasted shallots, the steak frites – Dvezlan’s personal focus – with bearnaise and bordelaise sauce, and a bountiful salad. While on the side, we savoured a glass of Nebbiolo. They promise wine and grill and boy, do they deliver.
The opportunity for dessert is also a must at Normandy; the apple tart tartine and a self-described “dangerously good” creme brulee (we couldn’t agree more) that was finished with a glass of dessert Reisling, the perfectly sweet accoutrement.
This space invites you to relax all evening: the food is comforting, thoughtful and well seasoned, the wine flows and the service was exceptional from all staff. The entire experience – and the very sated diners surrounded us – all presented a clear sign that Normandy is here to stay with a deserved buzz.
We highly recommend reserving a table and discovering Normady for yourself here.
