D’floret Restaurant Review: A must try spot in Lambertville, NJ

dfloret Restaurant (d'floret), Lambertville, NJ. A restaurant review

d'floret Restaurant
18 S Main St
Lambertville, NJ

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⭐ Review of D’Floret Restaurant in Lambertville, NJ

D’Floret is one of Lambertville’s most respected fine-dining destinations, known for its intimate scale, artistic personality, and chef-driven French-American cuisine.
Below is a comprehensive review incorporating history, food, ambiance, service, policies, and overall value—grounded in available public information.


History & Ownership

D’Floret is owned and operated by husband and wife team Chef Dennis Foy and Estella Quiñones, both long time restaurateurs with deep roots in the regional dining scene. Their shared vision blends culinary artistry with visual art, reflected in the restaurant’s décor and menu philosophy. The dining room doubles as a gallery for Foy’s paintings, creating a space where food and art coexist as equal expressions of craft

The restaurant is intentionally small—about 28 seats—allowing the owners to maintain tight control over quality, pacing, and guest experience


Cuisine & Food Quality

D’Floret specializes in French-influenced American cuisine, with Mediterranean touches and a strong emphasis on seasonal ingredients. The menu is known for:

  • Carefully crafted, modern plates with clean flavors and elegant presentation
  • Local and seasonal ingredients, often prepared with classic French technique
  • Vegetarian and gluten-free options
  • Signature dishes:
    • Mushroom soup
    • Handmade tortellini
    • Fresh fish entrées
    • Mandarin tart made with house-made orange flour

While not explicitly farm-to-table, the menu’s seasonal nature and small scale suggest a strong focus on ingredient quality.

Preparation is precise, thoughtful, and detail-oriented, consistent with Chef Foy’s fine-dining background.


Ambiance & Atmosphere

D’Floret offers one of Lambertville’s most intimate dining environments. Key features include:

  • Elegant, softly lit dining room
  • Chef Foy’s artwork displayed throughout the space, giving it a gallery-like feel
  • Open kitchen, adding energy and transparency to the experience
  • Cozy scale—around ten tables—creating a quiet, refined atmosphere ideal for conversation
  • Noise level: Generally low due to the small room and controlled pacing
  • Décor style: Minimalist, artistic, modern—not rustic or industrial
  • Scenic views: Not directly waterfront, but located in Lambertville’s walkable historic district

The ambiance is best suited for date nights, anniversaries, and special occasions, rather than casual or loud gatherings.


Service

  • Warm and welcoming
  • Attentive without being intrusive
  • Knowledgeable about the menu
  • Consistent, thanks to the small staff and owner involvement

Because the restaurant is small, service tends to feel personal and well-paced.


Other Factors

Alcohol / Bar Service

D’Floret is BYOB, allowing guests to bring their own wine or beer. This is a major draw for diners seeking a fine-dining experience without high alcohol markups.

Child-Friendliness

The intimate, quiet environment is not ideal for young children, though well-behaved older children may be fine.

Dress Code

Smart casual to elegant casual.

Parking

Located on South Main Street, parking is typically street parking or nearby public lots.


What I Like About D’Floret

  • The chef-driven, artistic approach makes the experience feel curated and personal.
  • The intimate scale creates a quiet, refined atmosphere rarely found in modern restaurants.
  • The BYOB policy offers exceptional value for fine dining.
  • The seasonal, French=-influenced cuisine is consistently preoared with precision and flavor.

What Sets D’Floret Apart

D’Floret stands out in Lambertville’s competitive dining scene because of:

  • Chef Foy’s dual identity as chef and painter, giving the restaurant a unique artistic personality
  • A true fine-dining experience in a very small, personal setting
  • Consistent execution, thanks to owner involvement in daily operations
  • A BYOB model that makes high-end dining more accessible
  • A focus on seasonal, French-American cuisine that is both classic and modern

Updated: December 2025


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