French-esque

See also: Frenchesque

English

Alternative forms

• Frenchesque

Etymology

From French +‎ -esque.

Adjective

French-esque (comparative more French-esque, superlative most French-esque)

1. Resembling or characteristic of the French; somewhat French.
   • 1996, Kate Sekules, London by Night (Frommer’s), New York, N.Y.: Macmillan Travel, →ISBN, page 157:

     Marco Pierre White joined egos with Rocco Forte late in 1995 to liven up this heaven-to-behold gold mosaic-tiled Byzantine hall with a spiffy French-esque menu, executed by a pair of head chefs for a clientele used to exercising its taste buds at all the best places.

   • 2001 October 14, Andrea Clurfeld, “Origin: Somerville’s Thai-French experience”, in Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, N.J., page E9:

     We had one French-esque dessert, one fusion confection and one pure Thai sweet; they were all smashing. A wine-poached pear set in a pool of chocolate sauce and crowned by vanilla ice cream was as chic and Parisian as a tilted beret.

   • 2004, BlackBook List: Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Hotels, New York 2005, New York, N.Y.: BlackBook Media Corp., →ISBN, page 115:

     Chelsea Bistro & Bar 358 W. 23rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.) (212) 727-2026 French. Cozy, yes, hearty, yes. French-esque. Gourmet prices.

   • 2004, Gretchen Papazian, “Anorexia Envisioned: Mike Leigh’s Life is Sweet, Chul-Soo Park’s 301/302, and Todd Haynes’s Superstar”, in Anne L. Bower, editor, Reel Food: Essays on Food and Film, New York, N.Y., Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, →ISBN, section 2 (Focus on Gender—The Body, the Spirit), page 152:

     The film also portrays the opening of Regret Rien, the French-esque restaurant of quirky family friend Aubrey (Timothy Spall), whose menu features tasty dishes involving brains, lamb tongue, and liver; prune quiche and pork cyst are a few of the specific menu items.

   • 2005, Time Out California, Time Out Guides Ltd, →ISBN, page 200, columns 1–2:

     Though there are worthwhile restaurants on Ojai Avenue in the middle of town, among them relaxed, French-esque Suzanne’s Cuisine (No.502, 1-805 640 1961, closed Tue, $$$), the most esteemed eaterie in town is a short drive from the centre: […]

   • 2007 April 20, Devra First, “Despite new plaudits, it’s still the Salts of the earth”, in The Boston Globe, volume 271, number 110, Boston, Mass., page D2, column 3:

     As for the food — French-esque American — it’s still tasteful and (mostly) unpretentious.

   • 2009, Terri Kraus, The Renewal (Project Restoration), Colorado Springs, Colo.: David C. Cook, →ISBN, page 64:

     “Meat and potatoes,” Frank declared, “but done in the French manner. French-esque, as it were.”

   • 2011 February, “Museum of The Little Prince in Hakone”, in Hong Kong Airlines, Aspire, Hong Kong: Asia City Publishing Ltd., page 65:

     The museum presents the world of famous French novel "The Little Prince" and the author,Antoine de Saint- Exupéry. Photos, letters and drawings of the author are exhibited in the museum. With the French[-]esque streets you can trace back the places he came across in his young days.

   • 2015 January, “Zach Osborne”, in On Track Off Road, number 97:

     When it is rough then Gautier [Paulin, HRC Honda World Motocross] is one of the best in world. When the track is French-esque then he is frickin’ good. […] Some of the tracks are really special. Uddevalla [Sweden] is just weird, Loket [Czech Republic], French tracks, Italian tracks; it is not easy to go there and do those.

   • 2017 August, Rebecca Milner et al., Japan, 15th edition, Carlton, Vic.: Lonely Planet Global Limited, →ISBN, page 179, column 2:

     The anchor of the new Nanz Village complex, this stylish restaurant serves seasonal French-esque, Japanese-ish cuisine, utilising as many fresh, locally sourced ingredients as possible, including venison and fish.

   • 2019 February 10, Kara Baskin, “A look at Luce, which is reviving a space with history”, in Boston Sunday Globe, volume 295, number 41, Boston, Mass., page N11:

     It’s an interesting revival of a space that’s seen some turnover in recent years. Owner Rene Becker closed his French-esque Shepard several weeks ago.

   • 2023 October 6, Michael Deeds, “Fort Street Station closes in Boise; Bistro D’Helene opens”, in Idaho Statesman, volume 159, number 73, Boise, Ida., page 9A, column 5:

     “Bistro D’ Helene’s French-esque menu takes inspiration from the heart of France,” according to its website, “and melds it with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The menu begins with a strong selection of artisanal breads and traditional spreads, followed by a wide selection of apértifs^[sic] and hors d’oeuvres, and is finished with an eclectic selection of entrees that touch on Chef Danielle’s favorite French and Mediterranean flavors.”

2. Resembling or characteristic of the French language.
   • 1995 December 12, Steve Johnson, “Queen of QVC: Kathy Levine’s pitching is her road to big time”, in Chicago Tribune, 149th year, number 346, Chicago, Ill., section 5, page 1:

     Diamonique is Kathy Levine’s best friend. […] But Levine (pronounced le-VIN) has ridden her ability to hawk—everything from mock diamonds bearing a French[-]esque trade name to patterned sweaters to her own sparkling personality—to a surprising and burgeoning celebrity.

   • 2010 November 10, Devra First, “Super dishes in place of superstition: Deuxave sets its ambitions for the top”, in The Boston Globe, volume 278, number 133, Boston, Mass., section G, page 12, column 1:

     He and co-owner Brian Piccini opened Deuxave at the intersection of Commonwealth and Mass. Ave. in early September. (It’s pronounced “Dooh-ahhv,” with a silent “x,” a French-esque name inspired by the location.)

   • 2011, Bridget Asher, The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted, London: Allison & Busby, published 2012, →ISBN, page 403:

     Eric is a native French speaker. His English is French-esque. When I received the recipes, there was still some translation work to be done. A robot coupe? Vers in a bowl?