Press

Zagat, 2011

Zagat Ratings & Review

“Wonderful all around” declare Lee locals of this “delightful” destination where chef Franck Tessier’s “fantastic” French bistro fare is matched by spouse Rachel Portnoy’s “scrumptious desserts”, not to mention her “charming” greetings; an “impressive”, “well-priced wine list” adds to the “good value”, while “marvelous service” “without hauteur” and a setting in a “historic house” with “quiet, romantic corners” add to the “appeal.” Food “24″ Service “24″

Awards

Best of Boston, Best New Restaurant in the Berkshires, 2005Yankee Magazine, Editor’s ChoiceWine Spectator Award of Excellence

Berkshire Living

2009In Lee, Massachusetts, Chez Nous has become a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Ingredients—as local and organic, in season, as possible—are painstakingly sourced… Portnoy frequently makes the circuit… amiably chatting… When Tessier takes a break from the kitchen, his jolly energy fills the dining area, and he’s happy to talk for hours about regional recipes and his more contemporary approache to bistro cuisine.

Passport Magazine

They are a study in contrasts. He is happily carnivorous, while she is a dedicated vegetarian. He began studying to be a chef at age 15, while she came to her craft at 26, slightly late for the culinary world. There should be tension, opposition—but instead the gregarious and gifted French chef Franck Tessier and his charming American wife Rachel Portnoy, a superb pastry chef, make magic as the owners of Chez Nous, located in Lee, Mass. And what’s more, they seem to be thoroughly enjoying it.

Chowhound

December 2010My recommendation for Lee or just about anywhere in the Berkshires is the outstanding French restaurant Chez Nous. Fabulous food, lovely service. It will be a memorable meal and you will want to come here whenever you return to the Berkshires for that special dinner.Read the original post…

Best of Boston – Berkshires

2005In his newly renovated restaurant, chef Franck Tessier serves extraordinary French cuisine including goat cheese–and–portobello timbale, scallops with saffron risotto, and chicken fricassée. Guests sit in one of three tasteful dining rooms, and pastry chef (and Tessier’s wife) Rachel Portnoy makes a hot chocolate mousse and a banana toffee tart that are sweet bliss.

Berkshires Now

… this is definitely one of the best restaurants we have been to in the Berkshires.

Rural Intelligence

With Chez Nous, they were aiming at [creating] the sort of French bistro that astonishes travelers throughout provincial France. One may enter with a touch of trepidation; how can a place this modest be any good? Then food and service make misgivings melt. Using local, seasonal ingredients whenever possible, they turn out perfect bistro classics and dishes of their own invention at unbeatable prices. A pretty French waitress hovers, making sure glasses are refilled and needs are met. The only thing to jar the illusion that one is in La France profonde? The vegetarian options are more than an afterthought, as Rachel cops to that bias herself.

Zagat 2010

Half the time it’s excellent, the other half it’s out of sight” pronounce pleased “picky locals” of Gallic chef Franck Tessier’s “mouthwatering” French fare and his American wife Rachel Portnoy’s “luscious desserts” (she also offers “warm welcomes” as hostess) at this “comfy”, …“country house” in Lee; there’s also a “quality wine list”, from which the “efficient” staff can suggest “perfect complements.”“24” for food, “23” for service