Classic French Bistrot where good food, good wine and friends and family come together
Cathy - Owner and Pastry Chef & Laurent Owner and Executive Chef
For ten years now, Chez Renée French Bistrot has been serving the Milford community with the heart and flavor of France. Founded in 2016 by Laurent and Cathy, both originally from France’s beautiful west coast—Laurent from Nantes and Cathy from La Rochelle—the restaurant brings a true taste of French home cooking to Ohio.
Before starting this American chapter, the couple ran a successful catering business in France. Cathy had long ties to Cincinnati, first visiting in the 1990s to see family—her grand aunt had married an American and settled here—so when they decided to open a restaurant in the U.S., this area felt like the natural place to begin.
At Chez Renée, French cuisine is served with warmth, simplicity, and family spirit. Laurent leads the kitchen as executive chef, crafting classic and casual French dishes, while Cathy lends her touch as pastry chef, bartender, and all-around creative force. Their son Henri, now acting as sous chef, has become an essential part of the team, extending the family tradition into the next generation.
Over the years, the restaurant has grown—from a single cozy dining space to three inviting areas: a charming dining room, a full bar, and a covered outdoor patio perfect for relaxed meals under the lights.
Every day, the family continues to be present, welcoming guests, preparing meals, and pouring wine, making Chez Renée not just a restaurant, but a piece of France in the heart of Milford.
The story begins with two French sisters, Renée and Hélène. Renee married an American Army man after WWII and came to make a life in the United States of America. A few years later, their son, Edward, was born.
Edward, our cousin, today is 67 years old living in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his French aunt (our grandmother), Hélène, is 93 still lived in France until the age of 93, she passed away in March 2017. This is the link not only to Chez Renee, but also to our family history. This French Bistrot is in memory of why we are here, and the desire to share our history with our customers.
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From France to USA - Cincinnati the link to our family
