French-style design at the newly opened A’ L’ouest on University Avenue (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

Parisian Elegance Graces Central North Park

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

The long-shuttered chunk of prime property that sits at the northeast intersection of University Avenue and 30th Street looks rather stylish now that the building has been renovated for the recent opening of A’L’ouest, a French restaurant by Trust Restaurant Group.

The 5,000-square-foot venture was conceived by the group’s founder and chef, Brad Wise, who also owns the Italian-style chophouse Cardellino in Mission Hills, as well as nearby Fort Oak, Trust Restaurant in Hillcrest, and Rare Society in University Heights.

Still in its soft opening, the brasserie-style restaurant serves dinner only Wednesday through Sunday, although Wise plans on adding lunch and brunch service in the near future.

The name A’L’ouest is French for “to the west,” which corresponds to the West Coast-type of French dining experience that Wise has created. The menu reveals fresh oysters and other shellfish as well as crispy lamb terrine, steak tartare, ratatouille, and a Grand Marnier souffle that our trusty sources say we’d be woefully remiss to pass up.