Beat the winter chill on Saturday evenings with a warm Alsatian meal and excellent music at La Cigogne, a French restaurant located at 90 Main Street, Narrowsburg. La Cigogne (“the stork,” symbolizing rebirth) is a gorgeous space with high ceilings and large windows looking out over the Delaware River, and it bustled with festive activity as the pleasant scents of comfort food and the sounds of soft chatter and music filled the air. La Cigogne offers a wonderful menu of dishes and wine inspired by the cuisine of Alsace, a small region in Northern France on the border of Germany that is a unique place where different languages and cultures have collided for centuries. The owner Damian grew up here in the city of Strasbourg, and he brought his traditions with him when he came to New York City. 

La Cigogne first opened in Brooklyn in 2014 and became a staple of the neighborhood with offerings of French food and live jazz bands on the weekends. After the Brooklyn location closed, Damian moved to the Catskills and eventually reopened his restaurant in the Narrowsburg location.

Live music on Saturday nights started here a few weeks ago after Damian reached out to local jazz musician Nate Zaur, an incredibly talented organist and piano player. Nate grew up in Philly where he took classical piano lessons as a child before moving to Vermont. It was here at  a summer music camp that Nate first heard a tape of pianist Thelonious Monk playing with saxophonist John Coltrane, and it expanded his idea of music. He began performing with local jazz musicians  and as a teenager sat in with his piano  teacher Bruce Sklar.

After a long hiatus from jazz to focus on starting a family, Nate got a gig at Here and Now Brewing Company in Honesdale, where he honed his skills and became a regular performer; you can currently see Nate play at Here and Now every Thursday night.

Nate’s trio on this particular Saturday evening at La Cigogne featured guitarist Will Sellenraad, drummer Tyler Dempsey, and special guest saxophonist Adam Lozier. This group of musicians have played together extensively, and the band’s cohesive sound and clean presentation was a testament to their flawless interplay. The band performed two sets of upbeat music, including explorative renditions of “United” (by saxophonist Wayne Shorter) and “On Green Dolphin Street,” while the engaged diners bobbed their heads and clapped in appreciation.

The band was a great fit for the vibe of La Cigogne, which looks like an Apres Ski lodge in France, and the atmosphere is the perfect complement to a hearty meal. Guests can start with Onion Soup (topped with Gruyere cheese), Escargot, or Tuna Tartare. Entrees include classic Alsatian dishes like Pork Schnitzel, served with an arugula salad and sliced tomatoes, which pairs well with regional wines like the Riesling and Pinot Blanc. Also on the entree list are Half Roasted Chicken au jus with potato gratin and Steak Frites, which are enhanced by bolder wine offerings Saint Emilion and Cabernet. For dessert they offer a chocolate brownie topped with Vanilla Ice Cream and creme brulee, which can be paired with their Rose or a glass of Orange wine. 

The decor of La Cigone is welcoming, the food is colorful, satisfying, and delicious, and the overall dining experience is greatly heightened by the soothing sounds of Nate Zaur, who will return  tomorrow, January 11 from 7-9 p.m. as the Saturday night live music series continues.