It's deja vu for fans of French cuisine. Simply French opened last week at 139 Sixth St., Downtown. The original restaurant opened on Atwood Street in 1984, and closed in 1992. Fans have been longing for it ever since.

It's also deja vu for Chris Frangiadis, executive chef at the reincarnation. He held the same position when Southwest Bistro opened in the Sixth Street location in 1994. Frangiadis moved on to Isabela on Mount Washington and Bikki in Shadyside.

Finally, it's deja vu all over again for Bikki Kochar, partner in the new restaurant. Over a period of some 20 years, he has owned or co-owned numerous restaurants, including the first Simply French and Southwest Bistro.

Talk about musical chairs.

Former Simply French regulars will applaud the return of these old favorites: Buckwheat Crepe Purse with Chicken, Mussels with Creme Fraiche and a hint of Curry, Bouillabaisse, Simply French Terrine, Half-roast Duckling and Steak au Poivre.

New on the menu will be Wild Mushroom Tart with Leek Puree, Gravlax on Potato Crepe, Duck Confit Spring Roll, Pommes Frites with Aioli, Classic Cassoulet, and many more.

The addition of Simply French to the Cultural District is helping to make Downtown a restaurant destination.

There will be a liquor license in a few weeks, but for now, it's BYOB. For more information call Simply French at 412-580-1221.

Asiago wine dinner

Asiago in One Oxford Centre, Downtown will have a wine dinner May 8 featuring wines from the Kendall Jackson Winery, a family-owned business in California. From Gewurztraminer to syrah, the wines will accompany Stuffed Shrimp with Crabmeat, Warm Duck Salad, Seared Filet Mignon and Warm Pear Almond Tart. Cost is $75. Call 412-392-0225.

Lunch at Isabela

Isabela on Grandview plans to open for lunch starting May 17. The menu will feature ala carte items as well as a four-course Chef's Table d'hote and formal tea for $25. Call 412-431-5882.

Mother's Day brunch

The Westin Convention Center Hotel, Downtown, will have a Mother's Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 9 in the Orchard Room. Included are assorted seafoods, turkey, roast beef, ham, chicken, pork medallions, vegetables, soups and salads, as well as breakfast items, cheeses, fresh fruit and dessert. Cost is $26.95 adults, $21.95 seniors, $11.95 children 6-12 years old and under 5 free. Call 412-560-6374.

Buffet at Hyeholde

The Hyeholde in Moon will have a Mother's Day buffet "Fit for a Queen and the Queen's Mother," served between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. May 9 in the Round Room. Cost is $30. Call 412-264-3116.

Bring out the corkscrew

For wine connoisseurs, Soba and its upstairs Japanese restaurant Umi in Shadyside offer "open that bottle" Tuesdays.

A selected wine or two -- French, Italian, California, Oregon -- will be selected from the "bottle-only" section of the wine list and its contents offered by-the-glass. Details: 412-362-5656.