When downtown Manchester mainstay Richard's Bistro closed in August, we were hoping another great restaurant would take its place. Lucky for us, owner/Chef Matthew Provencher, who was the executive chef at Richard's Bistro for the past three years, opened 36 deLux this month. His new venture carries on the same tradition of great food, fresh flavors and cozy atmosphere.

Menu: 18/20

No matter what you're in the mood for, there is something for you on the menu. As many restaurants are doing, the menu features a “lighter bites” section for those who still want good food, just a smaller portion of it. There is a varied selection of entrees; you may find yourselves having a difficult time making a decision — as we did. 36 deLux also has a raw bar and offers a vegetarian menu.

Appetizers: 17/20

Our Gourmet: I had the steak tartare ($12) served with buttered french fries and mixed greens. The french fries were some of the best I ever had, perfectly crispy and addictive. And while raw beef dishes aren't for everyone, if you are feeling adventurous like I was and want to experience something different, this is one to try. (9/10)

The Dining Companion: To start with I had the Lobster & Pumpkin Bisque ($6 cup/$12 bowl). The broth had a nice consistency reminiscent of pea soup, and the pumpkin taste was subtle enough to keep me chasing it. There were three generous pieces of lobster which may actually have been better served broken into smaller pieces. Lobster and pumpkin may sound like a weird match, but I thoroughly enjoyed this quirky seasonal combo. (8/10)

Entrees: 18/20

OG: I decided upon the Grilled Salmon with Lobster Cassoulet and Arugula ($22). The salmon was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the unabashed star of the dish. Admittedly I barely touched the cassoulet aside from the huge chunks of lobster before I finished the salmon. It was that good. The cassoulet, while tasty, was bit salty and overshadowed by the salmon. (8/10)

TDC: For my entrée I had the Ginger Braised Beef Short Ribs ($24). If you have never tried short ribs, but you like pot roast, you will love this. The meat was so tender that it fell off the bone after cutting into it. It was served with butternut squash and apple puree with marinated apples and fennel. The squash was as good as I've had, sweetened by the apple and crisp fennel. While each flavor held up on its own, they were even better mashed all together revealing just how complimentary each was to the overall dish. (10/10)

Desserts: 19/20

OG: The signature dessert, deLux Banana Fosters in a Jar, is a concoction of sautéed bananas, vanilla ice cream and rum cake ($8). It is exactly as described, served in a glass Mason jar. I enjoyed digging through the layers to get a little of each in every bite. I really liked that it wasn't overly sweet and I could enjoy the flavor of the bananas. (9/10)

TDC: I chose my Death By Chocolate for dessert ($8). This beautiful chunk of chocolate fudge cake was brought out on a plate painted, Jackson Pollockstyle, with wild streaks of raspberry and chocolate sauce. Be forewarned, this death may leave you weeping chocolate tears of joy (9/10)

Final thoughts: 18/20

We were greeted immediately upon entering and service was above average, even though the place was busy. The open kitchen, of which OG is a fan, enables diners to watch their food being prepared, making it a part of the overall experience. But it's a relatively small place, so you will want to make a reservation. We thought it was a nice touch that the chef said goodbye as we were leaving, almost as if we were having dinner at his house. If you miss Richard's Bistro, you'll definitely want to give 36 deLux a try.

Total: 90/100