4, rue Biscornet(12)
Tel: 09-50-80-93-80
AMBIANCE/DÉCOR
Our last dinner on a Spring, 2016 three week visit. A new name, highly recommended by sources with mixed records.
A non-descript one block street close to the Bastille Opera, a convenient location. One look inside through the window, and our expectations sank. Bright. Charmless. Ten tables and a service bar in an L-shaped room. Plain tables. No linens. A single Asian waiter. In our section of the room, table of four Asians and an older Asian couple next to us. Are we in a Chinese restaurant? The unsmiling waiter drops the menus. Then it all changed. The waiter began to respond. Formerly at 3-Star Guy Savoy. The long a la carte menu (with a low priced formula section too) reflects simple, but classic French preparations. The Asian couple next to us, Parisians for 65 years, are foodies seeking out new restaurants.
The food is terrific; the ingredients impeccable and the preparations like the décor: simple, direct, unadorned, unfussy. The prices are low, especially for the quality. Ditto the wines.
For Michelle, the décor trumps the outstanding food. For me, a great find.
FOOD
Sliced veal tongue; tender, simple broiled pork chop with puree of Jerusalem Artichokes; perfect, unsweetened chocolate mousse.
Perfect smoked salmon; slow cooked lamb with fresh peas (and better than recent lamb preparations at Michelin-starred dinners); lemon crème brulee.
SERVICE
Once he opened up, the waiter was professional, helpful, bilingual and proud. The waiter, chef and helper make up the staff.
PRICES
125€ for 2, with water, coffee and a 28€ Burgundy. A bargain.
(1X) (2016)