Uptown Charlotte is filled with a variety of different cuisines, and recently, it has added La Belle Helene to its ranks—a French-style dinner, lunch, and brunch spot, frequently referred to as LBH. Inspired by the concept of the traditional French brasserie, it’s a casual eatery serving a little something for everyone. Simultaneously dazzling and laid-back, full of casual ambiance with beautiful detailing, LBH is perfect for every occasion.
The menu is an array of quintessential French dishes, such as Poulet Roti, French Onion Gratinee, Grilled Chicken Paillard, and Strawberry Charlotte. Lunch offerings include salads and sandwiches, while the weekend brunch menu includes a collection of both sweet and savory, like their Free-Range Eggs Benedict, Avocado Toast, Croque-Monsieur, and Brioche French Toast. For drinks, LBH serves up a blend of both French-inspired beverages and innovative, new specialties. Their French American Parade, for an example, is an impressive combination of Maker’s Mark Straight Bourbon, St. Germain, Lemon Grass, Lemon, Soda Water, and Pepper and Genmaicha Syrup. Alongside their cocktails, there is an extensive selection of beers and fine wines.
Chef Michael Rouleau of LBH has been passionate about the culinary arts and French cuisine from a young age. Influenced by what he described to be the great, but modest, cooking of his parents, Rouleau was fifteen when he began to try his hand at cooking. He turned it into his professional career at seventeen. “I was blessed with this French last name, my father’s French-Canadian, and I fell in love with French cooking. Really, it all went from there,” Rouleau explained.
He attended culinary school, then worked at several renowned restaurants in Connecticut. For a short time, he lived and worked in Maui, eventually migrating to Philadelphia before his move to Charlotte. He joined Starr Catering Group, where he met Simon Powles, Founder and CEO of Starr, who oversees the restaurant and culinary operations for LBH alongside Rouleau’s culinary creations.
The ambiance, in every detail, is authentically French, designed by renowned Parisian architect and designer Richard LaFond. From the black and white tiles to the unique murals, soft lighting, and classic bronze elements, these touches are nods to the countless eateries tucked within the streets of the famous City of Lights. A hand-poured pewter bar, handcrafted millwork, and leather banquettes work alongside stunning chandeliers to create an ambiance that is, if anything, transportive.
Whether you’re in search of a new spot to frequent during your lunch break, to cozy up at for weekend brunch, or to have an intimate, memorable dinner, La Belle Helene is ideal for it all. It’s a step into the slower
pace of European life, sitting down to enjoy not only food, but—as they would emphasize at La Belle Helene—life as a whole.
