I had heard this place had changed owners a bit ago so a friend and I decided to give it a try. It's the same setting I remember, with the piano and the various decorative items placed around the restaurant. When we were there the owner was both serving as wait staff and chef. He informed me that he had just made the chicken provencal and that the chicken was very moist so I decided to give it a try. It really was quite delightful. The service was fine, there was one other pair in the restaurant so it was a quiet evening. I'm a bit concerned about what will happen when it gets busier! I have fond memories of various meals at this place and look forward to seeing how the new ownership turns out. The one caveat is that it's not very vegetarian friendly, though that is somewhat expected for a french restaurant. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. read more

Chez Axel French Restaurant - Chicken provencal - French Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

we were at a wedding reception for our friends. Food was amazing, service was excellent and fast. The owner was extremely helpful. overall it was really enjoyable and great time. Thanks to the Chef !!! Incredible read more

We had a wedding reception today 6/13/26 the chef was amazing the service was outstanding and the food was to die for. we couldn't have asked for mor.Superb!!! read more

A hidden gem for French food, cozy feel! There is new ownership, the owner is currently the chef and server as well (don't worry- there are other kitchen staff as well) and he was so kind and welcoming! The food was very tasty- good use of acid- but dessert was the best! I've never had strawberry mousse before- the flavor was light and natural- I could have eaten several bowls and the crepes suzzette were mouthwatering. I had the Cassoulet and even though it had lamb and duck which I usually am not a fan of- it was delicious! My date had the salmon and it looked well cooked. I can't wait to go back! read more

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There is a new eager owner of this long, running French restaurant at the corner of Montgomery and San Pedro. I am terrible at remembering names, but hopefully he will chime in on my review. He was our greeter waiter and chef and I would highly recommend this place for an awesome intimate French experience. Menu prices are great. It is clear that the new owner has had a multitude of experience in other places, as a professional chef but he is bringing a passion for reviving this business here, as I think it's had only two other owners in the past 30 years it's been in this location. We weren't sure if it was even open but it kinda looked like it was, and we are so happy. we stopped by to find out. We will definitely be back and recommend it to others. read more

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Food was horrible. Nothing really French about any of it just the moniker. I wouldn't even consider this restaurant if you want French food

The chef, Daniel, was also our server and though I know that's not a sustainable option, it was actually very nice. The food was amazing, and the ambiance was quiet and enjoyable. We'll be back, and definitely recommend. read more

Apparently this restaurant changed hands recently and I sure hope it survives. The staff is friendly and the food is great. I love French food and the chefs didn't disappoint. The 4 of us tried the french onion soup, Boeuf Bourguignon, scallops and the shrimp entrees followed by chocolate mousse, creme caramel and crepes suzette. It was all very good. (The mousse was good but not as rich and smooth as what we're used to.) The prices were reasonable: approximately $24 per entree and $7 for desserts. One downside is that they don't have a liquor license yet. Please visit and help them succeed! read more

Great soups, especially French onion. Delicious teas. Great warm bread. Friendly staff

Amazing French Onion Soup. Daniel the owner is absolutely charming He has applied for a beer and wine license - so the restaurant will be even better read more

Had mushroom and spinach crepes and they were fabulous! Also thoroughly enjoyed the Clafoutis for dessert.

The food at this restaurant is outstanding. It is made from scratch by a certified chef who is also the owner-operator and waiter at the small restaurant. The service is outstanding. Dan, the Chef, is very solicitous and the ambience is very quiet and relaxing. I would recommend it to anyone for lunch or dinner. read more

We came at 5:00 on a Friday, when they open (per Yelp, and the sign on the window). After 20 minutes of waiting in the car we left. I got out and looked in the window, and there were lights at the tables ... so apparently they are not permanently closed. However, no other cars showed up. That's odd. Do people know something we don't. We called multiple times and no one picked up. Food? Who knows? read more

We enjoyed a quiet and lovely atmosphere with a group of ladies as we celebrated my mom's 92nd birthday with her friends! May I just say, for a nearly one man show, with help that was just a friend I think, I would definitely go back and try more! I loved the meal and while maybe others don't share my exact sentiments, I give this place great props for being all they can on a tight crew read more

Bottom Line: A French gem hidden in an obscure strip mall. Don't judge this book by it's cover. Good rustic food at decent prices. Top Line: Chez Alex is somewhat rustic French country food, as opposed to the more urban French citified food found at Nob Hill's P'tit Louis at roughly twice the price. Chez Alex is the value winner, hands down. As my first visit, I stopped in about an hour before their lunch closing time. Since I arrived after the lunch crunch, I had the place to myself for the whole visit. I was immediately taken by the open spaciousness of downlit tables in the dining room, simple sturdy seating & tables with linen services set, and the subdued lighting. The space was well decorated with teapots, wine bottles, framed artwork, and restrained palette. Nice quaint decor for a date lunch or dinner. Service from waiter was prompt, courteous, & efficient throughout the meal. Attire of dark t-shirt and jeans could have been swapped for dress shirt & slacks to notch up the ambience. Overall I'd rate the service 3.5-4.0 stars. My order was butternut squash soup $7, chicken Provencal $12, and chocolate mousse $6 for dessert. Total was a bit shy of $27 after adding tax. The bread slices brought out to open the meal were soft and chewy. The herbed butter was good and the portion matched the quantity of bread, so no need to ask for more. Water was free of any notable chemical or mineral tastes. The squash soup arrived hot, but had a distinct onion note on the front end and a peppery burn finish. Not unpleasant, but I kept looking for the pungent taste of squash and not finding it. The spiciness of the soup begged for mitigation from bread & butter or the tasty herbed crouton slice that came with the soup. I may well try the soup on a subsequent visit to see if the taste is different. Soup portion was generous enough to suffice. The entree was easily the star of the meal. Two chicken thighs well blanketed by a wine (or tomato or both) sauce thick with caramelized onions, whole garlic cloves, black olives, and a generous dose of magic. The garlic cloves had been either roasted beforehand or simmered in the sauce to the point that it had acheived the tender sweetness that comes to garlic when well cooked. The meat was accompanied by tender & tasty snap peas and a dab of well-herbed & moist rice. Portion was large enough, since I was saving room for dessert, that I brought one of the thighs home for lunch the next day. It still tasted dang good reheated. The chocolate mousse portion was generous and I found it's somewhat drier sturdy & substantial texture quite filling. The menu said it is flavored with honey. But to my tongue there was an underlying cinnamon note that kept cropping up with each bite. It may have been my uncalibrated taste buds, but to me the note was solidly cinnamon intermingling with the rich cocoa flavor of the mousse. Again, not unpleasant, but something not quite expected. Perhaps I need to adjust to the vision of the chef on these dishes. Overall I found the food robust & flavorful, well spiced & herbed, and priced in line with it's quality and the decor. I intend to return some evening to catch the jazz piano music. read more

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You know, I had a nice lunch. I wasn't blown away, but I wasn't turned away either. Met a life long friend/relative here, ordered some savory crepes...the side dish was meh, but the crepes were flavorful and satisfying. The service was pleasant, but a little slow (and we were the only ones in the restaurant). The desserts were tasty, but the presentation lacked. Whipped cream thrown about...the chocolate mousse was enjoyable, but nothing to write home about. Seems like there is a lot of potential here, would love to see them take it up a notch. read more

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Chez Axel is a charming French restaurant that was launched in 1996. Owner-chef is Stefan Springer. Axel is the child of the previous owner. Stefan acquired the restaurant in 2004 from his very good friend Christophe Vasero and kept the name because Axel was very close to Stefan as well. In 2010, Chef Springer was named Chef of the Year by the New Mexico Restaurant Association, a huge recognition. Rightfully so, and I will tell you why. Chez Axel is a smallish and thoroughly charming place. Decorations are subdued, there are wine bottles displayed on some of the walls, and the lighting is utterly romantic. There was a talented piano player performing softly and gently when we were there. He played a piano adaptation of the second movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, Andante ("Elvira Madigan"). This is a double barreled beauty: the Mozart is among my favorite movements, and the movie Elvira Madigan is one of the most beautiful ever filmed--the cinematography and color are spectacular. And then he broke into the first movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Sets the mood for a beautiful and serene evening. The food and service is the equal of the music: beautiful. Chez Axel's menu is classic French countryside bistro stuff: Frog's legs, Cassoulet, Beef Bourguignon a l'orange, Red snapper in Saffron, Salmon cooked in Roasted Garlic:, and much more. Soups are excellent, as are the desserts. Each meal starts with a basket of delicious French bread with lightly herbed butter. Resist the temptation to overdo the bread: Save room for the entrées and the desserts.Chez Axel's menu is classic French countryside bistro stuff: Frog's legs, Cassoulet, Beef Bourguignon a l'orange, Fillet grilee, Red snapper in Saffron, Salmon cooked in Roasted Garlic:, and much more. Soups are excellent, as are the desserts. Each meal starts with a basket of delicious French bread with lightly herbed butter. Resist the temptation to overdo the bread: Save room for the entrées and the desserts. Onion soup with beef juice, red wine, herbs, croutons, Swiss cheese, tomato, garlic, fresh herbs. Onion soups have been popular at least as far back as Roman times. They were, throughout history, seen as food for poor people, as onions were plentiful and easy to grow. The modern version of this soup originates in France in the 18th century made from beef broth, and caramelized onions. It is often finished by being placed under a grill in a ramekin traditionally with croutons and gruyère melted on top. The crouton on top is reminiscent of ancient soups (see History of Soup). Chef Springer's version is the best I have had in New Mexico. Rich and flavorful, and the cheese strings down from your spoon as you dip it out of the bowl. Never too salty. Trout Amandine: Fresh King Ruby red trout filet, sautéed in clarified butter with lemon and parsley, served with roasted almonds. Ruby Red looks almost identical to regular rainbows. You couldn't really tell any difference until you fillet one. The flesh of this trout is reddish orange similar to salmons because they were fed special diets. The meat is more tender than regular rainbows due to higher fat content and they are very tasty. This is one of Jane's favorite dishes anywhere. She had not found it during the nine years that we have been in ABQ, and was delighted to find it here. She loved it. Accompanied with baby carrots with tiny broccoli buds and lightly grilled and diced potatos, it is a sheer delight. Desserts border on the spectacular: Profiterole and vanilla cream and Banana Flambéed au Rum should not be missed. Even if you had another wine with the earlier part of your dinner, you need to have a nice eiswein with dessert. Just do it. read more

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I truly don't understand why this 'restaurant' Is still open. My friend wanted to leave as soon as we walked in because of an odd odor. I suggested we stay and give it a chance. My bad. She ordered the French onion soup which tasted like Worcestershire sauce as it's base. Yuck. The bread was slightly warm but very dry and stale She also ordered the spinach quiche. She took a couple bites and gave up. I don't know how old this quiche was but the inside had dried up and become firm. The 'chef' determined that it might have been overcooked. Still it was served and it was charged for. My sausage and bacon crepe was actually quite tasty. If you want something to drink, I hope you like water. That's the only thing available. And, to top it off, we were harassed by a very persistent fly throughout the whole time. Seriously, why is this place still open? read more

There's always a decent amount of expectation when a plate passes the $16 (roughly) threshold....more so when it does that in Abq. Chez Axel does surpass that bar (barely) but also meets the bar, so to speak, quite well. Located in a very unassuming corner mall at San Pedro/Monty, you sorta do have to look for it. Inside however, it's a little gem of this drive-by neighborhood. Super quaint inside, immaculately clean, with a nice uncluttered seating arrangement. We were greeted and seated (sorry, dr Seuss I'm not) immediately and enjoyed attentive service throughout. Lucky for us, they have a piano player thur-sat, so that was a nice ambiance builder. Apparently they even have a jazz trio/duo on tue or wed (call to confirm, as my memory fades quickly ;) We started out with what could have arguably been the highlight of the meal, the onion soup. One word. Wow. A hearty portion considering the price, and even more so considering the taste. Suffice to say it was fought over..... Our entree choices were the Fillet Grilee (a beef tenderloin) which was advertised at 8oz, but couldn't have been much less than 12. The brandy peppercorn sauce accompanying was very important as the steak itself lacked significant flavor, unfortunately. Despite the lack of cooked in flavor, it was easy to slice & chew, and came with little fat, thankfully. The standalone taste of the steak was the single reason for rating at 4.5 stars instead of a full 5. We also ordered the Tilapia which was very well enjoyed by my date. Vegetables were all rather tasty, as we received potatoes, squash, & baby carrots between the two of us. Bill was reasonable if compared to a place such as Vernon's, around $50 for two, sans drinks or dessert. All in all a spot I'd likely enjoy again. One last note on the bill, remember a visa/mc or cash if you like to use amex, as they are smart enough not to take amex ;) read more

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This was my first visit to Chez Axel and I'm unsure whether I will go back. With that said, it has an excellent atmosphere. Very romantic and nicely decorated. The service is decent. The food...hmmm. My boyfriend can, and does, actually cook French food much better than this. I had the filet and it was cooked nicely but it was not seasoned. The carrots were fabulous with a touch of nutmeg. The potatoes were meh. I also ordered the dessert of bananas flambé but they were not flambéed table side nor did it taste like they were flambéed at all. Little things would have made it better, like toasting the almonds, using unsalted butter (it was very salty for a dessert). I have been to France and quite honestly I've eaten street food better than this. And as mentioned before, my love cooks much better than this at our house on a weekly basis. I hope the owner either teaches the chef a thing or two or hires someone who has more attention to important details as simple as seasoning all of his food. Presentation should also be much better for a French restaurant. read more

On a Friday night, we were the only people in the restaurant with the wonderful pianist from the moment we arrived to when we left. That, in itself, isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly seemed to be indicative of the restaurant, overall. Excited to have some French food with a glass of wine, we asked for the wine list and were told that the restaurant does not serve wine (or any other alcohol). Bummer! We ordered French Boeuf Bourguignon a L'Orang ($21) and Tarragon Chicken ($23), and both were very, very salty, which was most of the flavor. I drank all of the of water at the table to compensate for the salt, but our server never brought more. Wine would have helped! Finally, several people who obviously knew the cook and server walked in and went directly to the kitchen where they hung out and chatted the rest of the time that we were there. Overall, the atmosphere and food were terrible and the wine was non-existent. Total bust! read more

We made reservations for 5 pm yesterday (Oct. 7, 2022). The man who set up the reservation asked for our telephone number in case there was any kind of problem. We arrived at 4:55 pm and found a paper note, on the front door saying they were closed! You guessed it, they had not called us to tell us of any problems. We won't go again! Bill R. read more

First time visit for me. SIL had been several years before (as in pre-Covid). Just another couple and ourselves. Young man who waited on us was also the chef(!). We didn't ask why no one to help him , but he did an excellent job taking care of us . We both ordered Quiche Lorraine and our servings were generous. Quiche was fluffy and chock full of veggies and meat. Very tasty. Warm bread brought to the table was prepared locally and nice and chewy. I ordered asparagus with my quiche and SIL ordered a salad. Her salad looked fresh and she ate every bite of it and her quiche. I wish I knew how to prepare asparagus at home the way it came on my plate. Cooked just right, no tough stems ( unlike some restaurants) and lightly salted and buttered. As good as the food was we wish business was better for the chef AND he needs a server so he's not running back and forth. But in these strange times, he was making do as well as he could and doing a Great Job of it. I wear hearing aids and I did not catch his name when he introduced himself or I would give him the credit he is due. Stop in and try their lunch menu. Next time I want to try his Beef Bourguignon. read more

This restaurant used to be a real class act. The food used to be excellent, the service used to be attentive and professional. The restaurant used to have a WINE AND BEER LICENSE. Now the place is a dingy pathetic ghost of its former self. The salmon that my date ordered was not fully cooked, the vegetables were raw. The filet that I ordered was passable, barely. The peppercorn sauce served with it was horrible. This establishment should be closed permanently or sold to someone who actually knows what they're doing and who actually cares. read more

I'm extremely hard on restaurants in Albuquerque. But I do have to say, the service, attentiveness, price point and food quality here are simply OUT OF THIS WORLD! It's nice to be able to relax and enjoy your food and wine. The food is privy but worth every penny. No screaming kids, no booming stereo of franchise music. Just good food, great service, in a small, intimate setting. Simply but: It's the finest Restaurant in Albuquerque! **RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED** read more

Chez Axel is an awesome little French restaurant! Very reasonably priced for lunch you can easily get a great meal under $7 and the food is fantastic. Do be aware that it is a French sit down restaurant and not fast food, so block off a little time to sit and enjoy the atmosphere or call ahead for takeout. Dinner is more expensive, expect to pay around $20 a plate, but it is definitely worth it for the romantic atmosphere, friendly staff, and real food. read more

Chez Axel French Restaurant - Wonderful lunch option! Very reasonably priced and super tasty. Today is jalapeno and bell pepper quiche! - French Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This used to be an excellent eatery. Tried to go for dinner tonight but despite having reservations, and the place was supposedly open, the door was locked and no staff present. read more

Answering machine says they're open with limited capacity seating, but upon arrival on a Friday night (5/28/20) they were closed,

Our first visit was a complete bust. We walked into an empty restraunt. Only us and a pianist. Shortly after, we were greeted and sat by a server. We weren't sure whether or not to stay. We were brought menus and asked about the wine list. We were informed they were under new ownership and didn't have a license to sell alcohol. We really wanted a nice meal with a nice glass of wine. After our server left our table and went back into the kitchen, we heard the F bomb. That definitely was the last straw for us. We kindly told the server we were leaving. read more

not very crowded, but the food was amazing and the waiter was very kind. lamb chops cooked perfectly. trout also very good

Not a nice restaurant, cheese plate is cubed cheese most likely from a kraft bag. Ambiance was rather uncomfortable too.

This is good French food if you are in the neighborhood. However, it is not my favorite French place. The main courses were tasty. As for the desserts, I wasn't too impressed. I liked that the chef got out of the kitchen and went around asking the customers how they were doing. The atmosphere of the restaurant can be very private and romantic. Some nights they have a piano player and wine tastings. They also serve lunch for $10. The only think that wasn't that good was the service. The waitress was friendly, but kind of forgetful. read more

Wow! What a hidden treasure. Nestled in a little strip mall, it is some of the best French food I have had in years. The staff was nice, a little uneasy with their French.... but the charming location and wonderful food makes up for it. Started with the frogs legs... delicious!!! For an entree we had the fillet and tarragon chicken. For dessert we had the creme de caramel. Everything was absolutely wonderful and I can't wait to come back again. read more

Should have known better when I called at the last minute on Valentines Day to see if they were accepting reservations and got a puzzled pause on the phone and an "OK, I guess we can do that" response. Arrived promptly to a not very busy place and was seated by one of the three waiters covering only about 6-8 occupied tables. Orders were taken almost immediately with an appetizer and entrees. Then the wait began. 30, 40, 50 minutes and finally some overcooked escargots arrive which were terrible. Finished those and waited another 10 minutes and finally peaked into the kitchen to see the chef de jour in his t shirt and backwards baseball cap and no entrees in sight. Dropped a $10 on the table and split to go have sushi. read more

This is the type of restaurant you come to to sit down, put away your phone, and enjoy amazing food with good company. Don't expect to be in and out in an hour (at least, for dinner) but instead sit back and enjoy the ride. The food is top. I have never had a bad meal here. I recommend the sole or the filet. And the service? Fantastic! Dawn is hysterical. Live music to top it off? It doesn't get much more romantic than this folks! read more

By far one of the best restaurants in Albuquerque. What the menu lacks in size, chef Stephen more than makes up with great quality ingredients and a wonderful touch. Stand-out dishes include Beef Bourguignon a l'orange, Cassoulet as well as the Trout Amandine. Be sure to try the Snails a l'Aixoise-great texture which is that of smoked oysters and a wonderful buttery flavor with herbal accents. Overall, you can't go wrong with any dish here. read more

Food great food deserves a 4.5. The service was a bit lacking there were only 3 other tables and it took the waitress 40ish minutes to check on us and for the check. Perhaps my fiance and I don't look like we have money. But ill be back again, always give a place 3 chances to impress I always say. read more

You'd never know it by it's locale, but when you step inside, it's a cute, romantic French restaurant. I've been coming here for about 10 years and the food is consistently good. Make sure to get the French Onion Soup. It's the best. Really. Great service, too. read more

Chez Axel is absolutely wonderful. Our server was fantastic, the piano was playing sweetly in the background, the chef came out to sing a happy birthday song (very well, by the way), the pea soup was wonderful, and the salmon with roasted garlic was incredible. We had a wonderful night - it's hard to find great service, great food, and great atmosphere in Albuquerque, but Chez Axel has it all. Highly recommended. read more

UPDATE: I have no idea how this place hasn't gone under as most the Q know how terrible it is. Makes me think there's something not aboveboard happening. This place has recently changed hands, and the quality has suffered. Never mind that they don't have a liquor license, the proteins were all over cooked and the veggies were clearly frozen out of a bag. It's really too bad, given the reputation this place had. read more