Oui, Oui

Who wouldn’t enjoy a French meal? That’s just what Claude Pellerin is anticipating, as she opens The French Lady, 768 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham, a traditional French restaurant, in April. The French Lady is making the move from Rochester, where Pellerin has cooked and catered gourmet delights such as quiches, bourguignon, cassoulet, and others. “It’s all of the traditional recipes that my family had, and some I am revisiting,” she said. The new Birmingham locale will have 30 to 40 seats, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, but no liquor at the beginning as she gets her feet wet and learns the community. “I would like to serve wine and beer, but I will have to be patient.” Breakfasts will focus on crepes, and not croissants, she said, “Because to make croissants, you have to be a real baker.” Pellerin is originally from the north of France. “I’m a farm girl. I learned to cook with clean ingredients,” she said. “I don’t want to have a large menu because everything is made from scratch.” The French Lady’s menu will rotate with the seasons, she said, and the markets. Business Matters for the Birmingham - Bloomfield area are reported by Lisa Brody. Send items for consideration to LisaBrody@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.