REVIEW: Chat Noir for Lunch

When you walk into Chat Noir, you can't help but feel like you're in someone's home. The newly opened, 11-table tea house at 230 Merrick Road in Rockville Centre exudes comfortability and class, showcased by its dark-mahogany floors and tables, sea-foam walls adorned with French art, and a single Gothic-style chandelier that hangs from the center of the dining room.

Each table is draped with an egg-shell colored runner that matches the cream border outlining the restaurant, and floral-patterned china sits atop every table. Some four-person tables are surrounded by plush couches, and in the back corner rests a service bar that offers 19 different wines and brews more than 40 types of black, herbal and fruit teas.

According to its wait staff, some of the most popular teas are English Breakfast, Earl Grey and Mango Rose. An individual pot costs $5 and a shared pot is $8. It takes about 10 minutes to brew, but it's completely worth the wait. The Mango Rose has a subtle hint of fruit, but by no means is it overpowering or over-fruity. It is light and refreshing, and was easy for this writer to imbibe a whole pot of it!

Local Lynbrook editor Michael Russo called his chocolate mint black tea, "like hot ice cream" and compared its taste to a warm Peppermint Pattie without the viscosity.

For lunch, Chat Noir offers a variety of cheese plates — classic cheese fondue and gorgonzola bread pudding — from $13-$20 a person, as well as hors-d'oeuvres and salads ranging from $6-$12. The caramelized onion and goat cheese tart ($10) is a crowd favorite, as well as the pear, pecan and blue cheese salad served over crisp Romaine lettuce and drizzled with a honey balsamic dressing ($8).

Its breakfast menu, served until 5 p.m., boasts a delicious, Challah bread orange French toast that's topped with orange butter ($10). Cooked to perfection, the French toast has a soft center with a slightly crispy exterior, and is served with a warm side of maple syrup. 

One of the most popular dining options is Chat Noir's tea service. Priced at $22, diners can order a pot of tea of their choice, cull from an array of finger sandwiches and a choose a pastry from its dessert menu.

Chat Noir's sandwich options offers everything from ham and brie on a croissant ($11) to a smoked salmon and cucumber sandwich on toasted bread ($12). The salmon is perfectly smoked and combined with the sliced cucumbers, it helps offset the saltiness of the salmon. The crunch of the cucumber also builds a texture balance with the softer salmon, and the creme fraiche dressing adds a sweet note and unique finish to the sandwich. 

Chat Noir's breakfast and lunch menu is served from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is only open during those hours on Monday and Tuesday. From Wednesday to Sunday, it is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and a different dinner menu is served from 5 p.m. to close.

One item worth noting: make a reservation! Chat Noir is often packed for lunch and dinner, including days during the week. Call 208-8521 to make your reservation. Chat Noir also accepts all major credit cards.

Check back for Patch's dinner review of Chat Noir!