May 31, 2024

Daphnee and Wanddy Lafleur of FleurCuisine Harborside

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Daphnee Alva-Lafleur and Wanddy Lafleur - Fleur Cuisine Harborside

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Fleur Cuisine Harborside

“Even in a small town you can create an authentic menu that pleases everyone, that accommodates everyone.”

It takes passion, commitment and confidence to open a restaurant. Those ingredients are nearly as important as the menu, presentation and, of course, hospitality. When you’re so confident as to give the restaurant your own name, you’re sending a message that nothing has been left to chance. That you have thought of everything to create an exceptional dining experience. Daphnee Alva-LaFleur and Wanddy LaFleur, the dynamic husband-and-wife team behind Rockport’s Fleur Harborside Cuisine, invite
you to experience their passion for preparing and presenting their unique approach to fine yet accessible dining—and they’re confident you’ll feel right at home.

“People think it’s a made-up name,” shares Daphnee. “Our last name is LaFleur which means flower.” Fresh, local flowers are a theme throughout the dining space adding an elegant ambience. Dahlias, orchids and hibiscus enhance the tables, cocktails and wall art.

“Daphnee is always talking about family. We never call those who dine with us customers, because they’re not. They are guests. That’s the number one thing,” says Wanddy, whose work in the restaurant industry began when he was just twelve. “The best way we can do our job is to leave someone better than we found them…because we go above and beyond for our guests.”

The LaFleurs were determined to create a culinary destination in Rockport for both greater Cape Ann residents and visitors. Growing up in Miami and New York respectively, Daphnee and Wanddy were used to great restaurants within arm’s reach. “Our goal was to have something where we can just go around the corner or not go too far. We don’t have to go into Boston, for example, and there’s nothing wrong with going into Boston, but we’re right here on the North Shore and we should be able to stay on the island and still have a great dining experience.”

“Even in a small town you can create an authentic menu that pleases everyone, that accommodates everyone. We have cracked that egg, right?” says Wanddy. “We keep pushing the culinary envelope in order to be better. We keep creating. That’s why we have different specials every time that we can. [Rockport] needs to be recognized as somewhere where the food is great. It’s already been recognized as the most the beautiful in terms of artistry and its history. Why not be recognized for food as well? I think we have a great chance of doing that.”

“So, we’re that destination. We’re speaking about a destination right on the water, where you can have dinner or private events and make us part of your memory. The whole thing is hospitality,” shares Daphnee, an event planner and caterer with a degree in hospitality and tourism management. “We know folks have choices. We want to make sure we’re that choice, that diners know we’re grateful and that everything is thought out from their first hello.…When you’re walking into our home, you’re greeted with a smile from our staff. I’m always there to ensure that. We are hands-on owners.”

Located on T-Wharf in the heart of Rockport, Fleur Cuisine offers a charming dining room, bar seating, and a pet- friendly outdoor patio. “We’ve made the place handicap accessible—that was the first thing that was super important to us. We picked every piece of furniture and fixture. We made sure that we created a beautiful bathroom for our guests and for me, as a mom, we added a baby changing table. We made sure that everything was thought out,” says Daphnee.

The highlight, of course, is the menu and Wanddy’s flair for creating inventive and delicious offerings highlighting American and Caribbean flavors—all made from scratch, all adaptable to any modification. Inspired by their daughter’s food allergies, the LaFleur’s are sensitive to dietary needs. Ranging from casual lunches of clam chowder, loaded Cajun street corn, a lobster overboard burger and enormous salads to hearty dinners of vegetarian pasta dishes, grilled whole snapper (featuring Wanddy’s signature seasonings) to prime New York strip, every craving is indulged.

Operating a restaurant requires enormous reserves of energy and hard work. “When you love what you do, it doesn’t seem like work, right? That’s the whole thing,” says Wanddy. “You just go ahead and do it with a sense of pride, knowing that we’re representing ourselves and our culture in the most positive light.”

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