Some better experiences in Paris
After our early disappointments (see http://restchallenge.blogspot.com/) we buckled down and seriously considered where we would be eating. In general, we avoid Michelin 2 and 3 star restaurants as painfully expensive and overly formal (both a result of the Michelin grading standards). A recent development has been the opening of more informal bistros by famous chefs that do not try to meet the Michelin standards. L'Atelier Maitre Albert, that disappointed us last week, is from Guy Savoy. We will be trying several more over the next few weeks.
Le Florimond is a thoroughly enjoyable restaurant in the 7th, near the Invalides. This is not an area we go to frequently because I don't like the ambiance as it's the HQ for many government offices. However, the review of this restaurant was good in both Michelin and Zagats. The restaurant is small and the staff was just delightful, a good sense of humor and repartee.
Overall this has been our best dining experience thus far. I started with a excellent foie gras and chicken giblets with salad. It was delicious and the salad was fresh (not always true in Paris, the French are not lovers of green vegetables). Chris had a mushroom and escargot terrine topped with cepes in a cream sauce. Delicious!
For the main course, Chris had "Chou Farci" (stuffed cabbage, there's no accounting for taste). It was quite good, and just like her grandma's. I had a much more traditional Perdreau (partridge) in a delicious stew. The bread was great and we had a very nice Burgundy (Beaune). The person beside us had an "assiette du chocolate" which looked like heaven for the chocolate lovers out there. The menu can be had for 35E.
An added bit of fun was a splendid view of the twinkling Eiffel tower viewed down the rue St. Dominique. The buildings on either side framed the tower perfectly.
Le Florimond
19, av de la Motte-Picquet
Paris 7, France
01 45 55 40 38
Le Christine is a delightful small bistro in an old Parisian house near the Odeon. Service is good and friendly in the packed small rooms. The buzz is definitely ���tourist���. The kitchen is open behind glass and it���s amazing that they can deliver beautifully prepared dishes to such a large crowd. If you go, ask to be seated in the back room, hopefully next to the window by the courtyard.
My starter, a vegetable tart, was excellent. Chris had a warm goat cheese on toast (she���s a sucker for warm goat cheese). Mine was better! (Only in his opinion!)
We shared a beautifully prepared whole bass in a salt crust served with a side of mashed potatoes (a Chris favorite). Unusually, we shared dessert (an orange souffl��) that was outstanding. I only wished we had ordered two. Our meal was complimentd by a bottle of Sancerre.
Zagat Review
Off the beaten path and oozing charm. Near the Odeon.
1, rue Christine
Paris 6 , France
01 40 51 71 64
Le Petit Pontoise is a wonderful Parisian bistro in the Latin Quarter, about a ten minute walk from our apartment. They specialize in French 'comfort food' if you can believe that. It's a small room and always crowded but the staff is friendly and helpful (everything is listed on blackboards around the room).
Christina started with a warm fig stuffed with roquefort cheese on a bed of greens (not all that fresh) and I had sauteed mushrooms (girolles) and garlic (lots of garlic!). We followed with scallops sauteed on a medley of vegetables. My Magret de Canard (duck breast) with roasted potatoes came in it's own casserole. Both were excellent. Our wine this evening was a Beaujolais (Morgon 2005).
The people at the next table were visiting from Minnesota (!) and we had nothing in common with them except the language and a love of Paris. They were both consultants working for the non-profit sector. He takes 100 mile bike rides, hikes, marathons and mountain climbs. Fortunately, they also eat! It was a fun evening, sharing good food, favourite places to wander and shops we have each enjoyed.
Zagat Review
Wow. exclaim enthusiasts of this wonderful, unspoiled Parisian bistro in the Latin Quarter
9, rue de Pontoise
Paris , France
01 43 29 25 20
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