Stephane Bocket carves a duck at Chez Catherine.
Chez Catherine is a work in progress.
Go into many restaurants and the menu you see today is likely the one you would have seen yesterday or the one you’ll see tomorrow.
At Chez Catherine, an award-winning French restaurant in downtown Westfield, the menu changes four times a year — with the seasons. And it is tweaked in between the major changes.
“Certain fruits and vegetables are tied to a season, so we use them then,” said Stephane Bocket, who owns the restaurant with Peggy and Michael Cowan. “We want to make dining here an occasion, not the same thing every time.”
But some elements of Chez Catherine that are the same. Their superior service. Bocket is known for his style, his good humor and his ability to put guests at ease. He explains why foods are best paired with certain wines. He explains how dishes are prepared. He takes the mystery out of classic French cuisine.
A visit to Chez Catherine should never just be a meal away from home. It should be an experience. It’s the atmosphere. It’s the style. It’s the food — the innovative stretches on classic dishes. And it’s the service.
There’s Dover Sole deboned tableside. There’s Cherries Jubilee also made right before your eyes.
The restaurant is compact. It’s intimate. But there’s plenty of room for a special event party or a business meeting. A downstairs dining room can give a company all the privacy they need.
The kitchen is tiny. But delicious miracles come from there every day.
To hold your space, it is best to make reservations. But you wont have any reservations about the restaurant after you have been through the Chez Catherine experience. If you are looking for fine food served in elegant surroundings, this is it.
“Our goal is to make the customer happy,” said Bocket, who has worked in restaurants for most of his life. “We want to provide an experience they will remember long after they finish their meal.”
Chez Catherine’s offerings are more than delicious food. They are works of art. They are pretty food. Look at the photos on social media and on the restaurant’s website. If they don’t make you hungry, nothing will.
Bocket and his team and known for their ability to adapt.
If your business has an event at Chez Catherine, the team can create a special menu and print it with your company logo. Do you have dietary restrictions? As long as the restaurant is informed at least a day in advance, the team can make sure the dishes are prepared with your restrictions in mind.
During the pandemic, adaptability was essential.
A classic French restaurant would never consider takeout. But when dining rooms were closed, Bocket and his team did takeout and brought meals out to waiting cars. When outside dining was allowed, the team created a classy outdoor space.
“Our guests have always been wonderful. But especially in these last few years,” Bocket said. “They’ve been very supportive and understanding. They know we are trying to give them the best. And they have continued to put us to the test and share in our success.”
Chez Catherine is located at 431 North Ave., West, adjacent to the Best Western Westfield Inn in Westfield. For information or reservations, call 908-654-4011 or visit ChezCatherine.com. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday.