A Creekside French Dinner at La Forêt

At La Forêt, dinner can begin with beef tartare or sea scallops and end with a Grand Marnier soufflé, with a course of elk, wild boar or rack of lamb somewhere pleasantly in between. The French-inspired restaurant makes room for classic steakhouse comforts and less-familiar game, all served in a setting designed for lingering over the table.

It is a natural choice for anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine’s Day and regular date nights, but it does not need a grand milestone to justify a visit. A well-made cocktail, a long dinner and the sound of the creek outside are reason enough.

The restaurant sits in a neighborhood setting somewhat removed from the usual bustle, giving the evening the agreeable sense of arriving at a destination rather than simply stopping for dinner. Reservations are recommended, particularly for celebrations and popular dining times.

Inside, La Forêt goes formal without becoming stiff. Red wallpaper, chandeliers and a red rose at each table give the dining room an old-school special-occasion look, while the room remains quiet enough for an actual conversation.

The patio offers a different version of the meal. Outdoor tables sit beside the creek, and the moving water is an accompaniment all its own during dinner. At night, the water may be heard more than seen, but that gentle soundtrack still gives the patio its character.

Both choices suit a leisurely meal. The indoor room is polished and intimate; the creekside terrace makes even a Tuesday dinner feel a little more removed from the everyday.

La Forêt’s meat selection is one of its liveliest calling cards. Along with ribeye, lamb and American wagyu, the menu has featured elk, venison, bison, wild boar and quail—an appealing chance to try game in a composed, full-service dining room rather than in a novelty setting.

Elk is a frequently celebrated choice, served with a rich sauce and mashed potatoes. It has the satisfaction of a serious entrée while offering something a little outside the standard steak-and-potatoes orbit.

Rack of lamb is another standout, sometimes paired with asparagus, and it suits the restaurant’s fondness for carefully cooked meat and generous sauces. It is an especially good patio order when the evening calls for a more traditional splurge.

For diners who would rather stay with beef, there is plenty of ground to cover. Tournedos of beef with chanterelles, steak medallions, Steak Diane, ribeye with asparagus and American wagyu make a strong case for returning without ever repeating an order.

The sauces deserve attention rather than being treated as a mere finishing detail. They bring depth and richness to the meats and help make the entrées read as French-inspired restaurant dishes, not simply excellent cuts set on a plate.

The opening courses give the table several directions to go. Ahi tuna, prawns, grilled shrimp and sea scallops provide seafood options before the richer center of the meal, while beef tartare makes a fine beginning for a group planning to explore the meat side of the menu.

Salads are not an afterthought here. The La Foret salad, Salade Francaise and a shrimp salad with butter lettuce offer a fresher first course, useful when the main course is headed toward lamb, steak or game.

A party can easily mix things up: one person may take the tasting menu while another orders à la carte, allowing a table to sample a broader stretch of the kitchen. That flexibility helps when one diner is eager for venison and another has their eye on scallops.

The five-course tasting menu gives La Forêt’s meal a natural arc, moving through salads, seafood, meat or game and dessert. It is structured as a full evening rather than a quick pre-theater-style bite, with courses arriving at a measured pace.

There is enough food in the progression to make it a substantial celebratory dinner. The appeal is not only the number of courses but the chance to see how the kitchen moves from lighter preparations to its more robust sauces and entrées.

For a couple, the tasting menu can simplify the decision-making while preserving a sense of discovery. For a larger group, combining it with individual dishes keeps the table from becoming too uniform.

The menu is not exclusively for committed carnivores. Tortellini La Foret and mushroom tortellini provide non-meat entrée choices, and a vegetarian section has been available as well.

That is helpful on a date night or family celebration where appetites do not all run in the same direction. One diner can make a full dinner of seafood and pasta while someone else works their way toward elk or wagyu.

Begin with a French 75 if the evening calls for something bright and celebratory, or go in the other direction with an espresso martini. A pear-ginger mocktail gives non-drinkers a more considered choice than a routine soft drink.

The wine selection is broad enough to invite a little discussion with the server. A Grand View Syrah has appeared among the bottles enjoyed with dinner, and the staff’s knowledge of the food can be useful when matching wine to the richer meat dishes.

Dessert comes with real decisions: crème brûlée, lava cake with vanilla gelato, chocolate truffle torte, caramel custard, or vanilla ice cream with berries. The Grand Marnier soufflé is the one to consider when the table wants dessert to have its own moment.

There is also an “I can’t decide” dessert option, a playful answer for diners who have spent the evening choosing between too many appealing things. After a long meal, that may be the most honest order on the menu.

La Forêt’s polished atmosphere is supported by warm, professional table service. Servers explain dishes, offer recommendations and keep drinks and courses moving without making the dinner feel hurried.

That matters with a menu containing unfamiliar meats. A little guidance can make a first order of elk or venison feel like dinner rather than a culinary dare, and staff can discuss less-familiar ingredients as well as the surrounding area and vegetables used in the kitchen.

The hospitality has a personal streak, too. Celebrations may receive an extra touch, and thoughtful attention has extended to small matters such as holding a forgotten pair of sunglasses for pickup.

La Forêt has an on-site parking lot, and free street or garage parking has also been available. The dining experience is occasion-oriented enough that many people choose to dress up, particularly for a birthday, anniversary or romantic dinner.

Choose the patio for the creek’s sound and an outdoor table; choose the dining room for chandeliers, red walls and a more classic formal mood. Either way, plan on a meal that rewards an unhurried evening.