Loved this place! Be warned, it's a bistro, so there isn't an extensive menu, but what they do is done superbly.  My hubby and I split the Mediterranean trio (hummus, tapenade & pesto with a yummy baguette) as an appetizer. Plenty for 2 or even more.  Hubby had cassoulet special--fabulous! Very well made with artisanal sausage and loads of beans! My escargot feuillete was equally scrumptious, as long as you like garlic ( which I do). Creme Catalan is better than any creme brûlée and I even splurged with a cappuccino. This little gem is definitely on our " must visit" list when we return in warmer weather and can enjoy the outdoor seating!
Review Source:I've passed by this place a few times while walking around downtown. I thought it was cute, and wanted to try it out, and lucky for me that happened recently while I was out with my dear friends. We all went in for dinner and drinks before hitting up some other spots and I'm glad this was their choice to dine.
Our waitress was very helpful and knowledgeable about all the wines on the menu. A few of the ladies are not big wine connoisseurs so our waitress was able to help themvpick out a wine that they were happy with. I knew right away I wanted a glass of the French Malbec, and it was perfect.
We all shared several plats of the cheese , charcuterie  and quiches, and I don't think any of us complained about one bite we had. It was terrific.
The inside is cozy and cute. Kinda small and not really reminiscent of a French brasserie, but that's okay cause we're not in France, are we?
I would like to try this place out one more time, but this time out on the deck in some warm weather.
I think this is a place to try if you want something different and intimate.
One of my very favorite friends took me here for our last lunch together before my family and I PCS'ed this past October. One, because I never even knew it existed until she suggested it because it is slightly hidden and two, we are both, huge winos. Le Catalan was exactly what we were looking for. Lovely waterfront view, lots of wine with a French cuisine. Heavenly, yes. We chose to wine and dine outside, under the awning to enjoy the beautiful weather and equally beautiful view.
We both split the Cheese plate and Pate platter, suggested by our lovely French speaking waitress. Delicious, BUT BEWARE, they serve this with a huge chunk of butter, which we thought was some delectable cheese at first, but then realized our stupidity afterwards. Apparently a lot of people have done this. So unless you enjoy eating spoonfuls of butter, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! After this and much wine, I had the Ham and Swiss Les feuilletés and she had the mushroom. Both were delicious. Try them!
The one thing I absolutely adored about this place was the thing I discovered upon my trip to "break the seal".. they have so much decor inside that was created using wine corks. Hanging Strands with beads, wall art, flowers, etc.. so unique (see photos). In fact, I totally stole their cork and bead strand idea and made my own to hang in my kitchen window. So, thanks, whoever decorated this place, for all the super cute ideas you've given me to use on the copious amount of wine corks i've been saving over the years.
This place is slightly pricey, but whatever.. Its awesome and cute and delicious and is just another thing to add to the shit I love about Downtown Wilmington.
I love this little bistro on the waterfront, especially for lunch. It's quiet and has outdoor seating under a large awning. The service is great and there are always excellent specials. The portions are the perfect size. Recently enjoyed the gazpacho and the spinach and goat cheese salad. Almost everything comes with warm and crusty French bread. They have excellent wine recommendations as well.
Review Source:I came here on a Wednesday afternoon with my mom. It is a perfect little place to stop by, have a drink and chit chat. It is right along the river, so I felt rather elegant sitting there with my glass of gin and tonic. The waitress brought out a Tupperware container filled with water, for the dog, much appreciated.
I also ordered gazpacho... and if you are a fan, it was fantastic, but I understand it is not for everyone.
5 stars for good drinks, gazpacho and ambiance.
Extra bonus for a good waitress who knows how to offer water to a thirsty pooch.
I have been going to Le Catalan since 2005 during my frequent visits to Wilmington.
Great wine list, good bistro style menu selections. I highly recommend the chicken curry salad. The Mediterranean Trio ($8) Â goes well with a glass of wine for an inexpensive respite from shopping or exploring downtown.
Negatives, Service outside can be slow especially when it is a busy. The kitchen is far away and the waitstaff have to thread their way through the bar patrons. The coffee has never been especially good which is disappointing The coffee is very weak.
All in all I highly recommend Le Catalan.
Stopped in here for a late lunch while strolling around the waterfront. Â This is a nice little gem of a cafe sitting right on the boardwalk.
The menu is small but it has different options for different tastes and the wine selections are supurb. Â Looking for something light, my server recommended the quiche so I went for the Quiche Lorraine and it came with mixed greens in a light dressing,.
The quiche was savory and the wine was a nice touch. Â Service was wonderful as well.
Right, more like 3.5 stars (I just can't bring myself to give it the whole four).
That said, Â I can't stop thinking about my curried chicken salad. So although I really *want* to complain that this cozy little taste of European cafe culture on the river is RIDICULOUSLY overpriced, I still can't help but think I'll be back.
We popped in for a light lunch and coffee on a beautiful afternoon and took up one of the tables for two facing out onto the scenic boardwalk (first rate people watching). And while I'm all about portion control when it comes to espresso drinks (8 ounces is all the cappuccino I need), I do take issue with my mini-coffee costing me $4. (The wine list is also a little pricey - with some experience in the restaurant industry, I know that some of these are marked up beyond the norm).
Definitely think you're paying for ambiance and atmosphere at Le Catalan, but, unlike many of the riverside establishments, at least you get a fresh, tasty and admittedly lovely experience out of it.
Well, Yelp has this location TOTALLY off. It is not in the SW corner of Wilmington as the map suggests. It's right on the waterfront just south of market street. Anyway, we hit this little gem on New Year's Eve day for a little lunch. It's a limited menu to be sure but fits the bill for a flavorful and relaxing meal. A selection of provincial french dishes prepared simply yet full of flavor. The wine selection was a little limited but very inexpensive (compared to the same wines in NYC). Our waitress was a bit overwhelmed as the weather was a little nicer than most anticipated and she was running the entire floor (inside and out). She was still courteous and as attentive as she could have been. Didn't matter to us as we were enjoying a beautiful day in the sun, on the river, with terrific food.
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