Restaurant Round-Up: Confit French Bistro

You can't beat eating outside. When I left work on Friday, I knew three things. I was hungry, neither myself nor my fiancee was likely to feel like cooking and I wanted to dine alfresco. That's really one of the main reasons we went to Confit in the first place, and I'm so happy that we did. My meal — the whole experience actually — was superb. Details in the Round-Up, and as always, leave comments if you agree or disagree.

Confit French Bistro
Name: Justin
When: Friday evening. 7:00pm reservation.
Been Before: No.
Ordered: I had the Salade de maison — bibb lettuce with garden herbs, toasted walnuts, Roquefort cheese and a walnut vinaigrette — to start, and the Crepes de boeuf — a crepe containing slow braised beef short ribs, gruyere cheese and an onion jus — as an entrée. My fiancée had the same salad, but went with the Crepes aux lapin et confit de canard — a crepe containing braised rabbit and duck confit, baby spinach, shiitake mushrooms, butternut squash, cranberries and roasted onion jus. Confit is BYOB and we took a bottle of 2005 Pascual Toso Chardonnay. It was a chairman’s selection by the PLCB, and I absolutely love it. It’s the third time we’ve bought it.
The Food: Outstanding. I thought the salad was wonderful, and I would have gladly made a meal out of just that and an appetizer. The walnut vinaigrette was very mild, and the flavors of the Roquefort and pickled onions we’re strong but not domineering. The bread was nice as well. Just good, solid, crusty French Bread. I think I prefer the French rolls at the California Café in Carlisle, but these were still good. By the time my meal came out, I could only eat half of it. My crepes were quite tasty and very balanced. It would have been easy to go too heavy on the gruyere, but the chef didn’t. I think my fiancee’s meal was probably a bit stronger than mine. I took the safe route, and when I go back, I’ll probably try something a bit more adventurous. Neither of us ordered dessert, but we did have a pot of French press coffee, which was the perfect end to the meal.
The Ambiance: We sat on the front patio and the ambiance was wonderful. The weather had a lot to do with that. It was a gorgeous evening for a leisurely dinner outside. I thought the traffic on Market might be an annoyance, but it really wasn’t. The cars don’t move too fast through Camp Hill, and with people eating outside at Confit, Cedars and 2201 in the Borough, there was a low buzz that was very pleasant.
Company: My fiancée.
Did Others Like Their Meals: Very much so. She said it was the best meal she had eaten in Central Pennsylvania to her memory.
Cost: With tip, about $65.
The Service: Solid. Not in the way and not too formal.
Notes: Honestly, one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while. I’m sure the waiters won’t like to hear this, but I’m looking forward to going back this summer and ordering a salad and appetizer. French food is heavy, and while I didn’t feel grossly stuffed, I could have eaten less. Still, you certainly can’t complain if a fine-dining-ish restaurant gives you more food than you can eat.
Recommendation: Absolutely.