Chez Genese

 

Located at 616 South Elm St. in Downtown Greensboro, Chez Genese serves French cuisine for breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m to 2 p.m. daily. Reservations are not accepted, tipping is not expected (the staff earns a living wage), and takeout may not be available during peak hours. Catering is available, and Chez Genese regularly hosts community events.

 

Like A Special Blend, Chez Genese provides employment to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. While that is a commendable mission, a good story alone does not a good restaurant make. A tantalizing menu full of well-executed dishes is a powerful draw, however, and here is where Chez Genese shines.

 

One of the few area eateries to offer French fare, Chez Genese provides a strong representation thereof. Crepes, quiches, tarts, and charcuterie are all accounted for, the rotating daily lunch specials include things like bouillabaisse or beef burgundy, eggs come in everything from omelets to cocottes (cups) to tartines, and, of course, croissants and baguettes are available as well. Good luck trying to make a decision when it all sounds so good.

 

For our late breakfast visit, my wife and I ultimately went with lemon ricotta pancakes and a smoked salmon with dill crème fraiche omelet, respectively. We (thankfully) didn’t have too long a wait for our food, and what arrived at the table was plated beautifully. The omelet, though firmer than expected, was not overdone, and its flavors were excellent. Its accompanying fruit plate was fresh and varied, and a baguette offered a nice combination of crusty and chewy. We were concerned that the pancakes would prove too sweet, but the lemon notes thankfully added balance. A homemade blueberry syrup paired well with them.

 

“French” is often conflated with “fancy and expensive,” but that was not the case here. Chez Genese has a casual café vibe, and pricing proved fairly reasonable. Each breakfast dish ran in the teens and offered plenty of food. Servers were pleasant as well.

 

That being said, Chez Genese is not terribly large, and it keeps quite busy. You could be in for a wait without much room to actually stand and wait. Though not uncomfortably loud, the ambiance here can best be described as “bustling.”

 

Should you be able to snag a seat, Chez Genese offers one of the best breakfasts in the area. I look forward to eventually trying them out for lunch.