pierre45

Last week 4 of us had dinner at Bin 8945. WE were looking forward to our dinner based on the enthusiastic reviews on this board. WE opted for the 7 coarse degustation menu ($78).I will not describe the menu as it was fully covered on this thread. We found the ingredients of good quality but the preparation very amateurish.There was no contrast in texture or flavors.It was rather simple and bland.Service was also amateurish.The white wine list was good ,but the red wine list was rather on the expensive side,many over $50 and not worth it.The restaurant decor is simple with wooden tables and chairs and close to each other. We spent $300 per couple ,which includes wine .I beleive this is way too high for this kind of a place

We had lunch at le moulin in mid sept.WE ate oudoors and the setting amongst flowers and under the trees was glorious. ONe has many choices at lunch.You could choose the 65 euros menu ,which includes wine or a la carte, where you may choose the chef's series of tapas or theme oriented menu .I,e veal done in 3 different ways ,etc. WE chose the lunch menu.The appetizer was Jabugo Ham ,presented in cylinders filled with market vegetable and doused with olive oil.Tasty dish ,that's also light.very mediteranean.BEautiful to look at as well. Main dish was pork tenderloin with squash blossom and chestnut puree.What a dish with flavors and nuances. WE drank a complimantary glass of champagne and a provencal rose as well as a red from languedoc. Dessert was tarte aux fraises with pistachio ice cream ,which was perfumy and a nice ending . Total cost including all taxes ,wine and service was 65 euros.I don't know where you could eat like this at this price. I spoke with the general manager who said that they are all working very hard towards a 3d michelin star.

Ajnet.Welcome to Paris.You seem to have the right attitude and I am sure you'll have a wonderful time.A few suggestions. -Best way to learn french is to have french friends or better still a french girl friend. - Peruse e-gullet for the restaurants discussed and make a list of the ones that appeal to you.As you know , we all have different tastes and likes ,so that will be a good way to express what you are searching for. -Bon voyage

I classify bistrots in 2 categories. -traditional ,which also could mean classical and includes regional cooking.I,e sw,provence,etc -Modern ,which includes innovative cuisine and modernized classical.

Yah yah yah to both of you. I spend more money on anti-calc, vinegar, sel, rincage, etc than on presents for my wife (whoops).I'd like to move this from trying to fix it to what should I buy next? What are the hot models? How do I avoid spending my life adding anti-calc, vinegar, sel, rincage, etc? ← I have also given up on a 15 year old german dishwasher.So i wash everything by hand .If you really want a dishwasher go to Darty and speak to a salesperson . They will take away the old one and install the new. Good luck.

Le bistrot de paradou is a favorite of mine ,well described by Margarete. Last oct i spent 10 days around avignon and Languedoc.Nothing to recommend, Tourists everywhere and ordinary restaurants ,despite the hooplah.

Did you have the set lunch menu or a la carte at Le Bristol? The menu looks nice, but limited. I am considering Le Bristol or Le Cinq for a Sunday birthday lunch but want to stick to the set menu, if possible. Will I feel left out? Any thoughts on Le Cinq vs. Le Bristol for lunch? ← DEfinitely Le Bristol.I had lunch there a year ago.VEry good value and the setting outdoors is unmatched .You can order a la carte.I don't understand the interest about le cinq with the many negative feedbacks.

You're right .There is not much in Oxford.WE spent 2 days a few weeks ago.Despite a lot of effort to find something decent in downtown oxford we ended up in run of the mill places.Such as Azziz.However chang mai looked good .It needs reservation.we could not get in. Good luck

The second time, with 4 persons, for lunch Colette had raie with "a really good sauce" and side portion of mushrooms and puree of celeriac and potatoes and a good rice pudding for dessert. The rest of us ate equally well, with none of the "twofer" things. Caveat night-eater! ← Thanks John.This is quite interesting.I will try them at lunch

We lunched today at this luxurious restaurant at l'hotel Crillon. The setting is a far cry from the usual bistrot and the service is smooth and gracious. L'amuse bouche consisted of 5 offerings:two small glasses of different liquids, one a pink lemonade with a meat flavored foam, the other a warm veloute with pieces of ecrevette; a small ball that burst in your mouth; a "cigarette" filled with snail cream and a silver foil wrapped "candy" of black truffle butter to be spread on baguette toast. This was the best amuse bouche that I've ever had. For appetizers we chose the foie gras de canard. Two versions were served. A bowl with two sushi shape pieces of foie gras were in the center. A duck reduction and cherry broth was poured . The intensity of the broth in contrast with the duck liver was extremely enjoyable. This was accompanied by a pate "sandwich" of two layers of foie gras with a center of gelee and topped with cherry preserves. The contrast of the sweetness of the cherry and the buttery richness of foie gras was heavenly. The main course Cuit-cru de thon "Blue fin" (Blue fin Tuna) consisted of two cylinders of high caliber tuna, barely cooked, and topped with a small piece of foie gras. A champagne coupe filled with fine "noodles" of salted fried potatoes and a plate with a parsely salad and a small brick of foie gras with a topping accompaned the fish. The two dishes together were outstanding. The meal was a bit too rich because of the presence of foie gras in almost every so its the only only negative comment. The excellent Chablis from raveneau we drank went very well with the lunch. The dessert cosisting of predessert,dessert and after dessert were: 1. Chocolate covered mango sorbet pops. 2. Strawberry and cream "hamburgers" accompanied with 3 kinds of petit fours 3. A thin chocolate ball filled with coffee ice cream and cake, with warm chocolate sauce poured over it. 4. An assortment of chocolates served in a silk covered box. To eat like this, in sumptuous surroundings, with smooth service, at 75 Euros, is a steal.

We had dinner yesterday.Margret's description is accurate.The cote de boeuf is served with a delightful vinaigrette sauce with shallots and was deliceous.side order of girolles was just right The place is very French and straightforward .This an enjoyable place at a resonable price.

The food at Le bistral is quite sophisticated,specially for a hole in the wall.The wine list is also decent and the owner loves what he does and he is there to greet you and help you with the menu. Actually direct ownership invovement is a key reason for the succes of spring,au gourmand and Le bistral.Rich was very institutional in that respect and meant for the gamblers from downstairs. At Le bistral make sure you ask for a table close to the bar ,otherwise you'll end up in Siberia.

Three of us had dinner last at Rich.Not too many restaurants are open on mondays as many of you know, so based on a # of positive reports we headed to Rich.The restaurant is above a small casino and looked like a modern version of a 1950 las vegas supper club WE started with the langoustine with phylo dough that comes with 2 sauces.Asian influenced and quite good, another entree was tomatoe with buffalo mozzarella,tasteless and very cold.Mains were carpaccio of limousin beef which was tender but lifeless,a bland cod with mashed potatoes was another choice. The last plat was chicken with rice and satay sauce which was declared by our london curry expert as boring. Desserts were tartelette de pommes,similar to what one gets in a nondescript boulangerie. IT seemed to the 3 of us that a few of the dishes were prepared previously and finished upon order. This was a disapointing meal .specially after a week eating at spring,au goumand and le bistral

Tonight which is a monday night I am having dinner at Rich,14 rue cadet .9e 01 48 01 87 87.Bonne chance.

WE had dinner at this recent addition to an area full with Japanese restaurants. Its a small new place ,around 20 tables ,quite cozy and warm .The owner ,who speaks english is friendly and helpful. I had cold foamy sorrelle soup ,which was out of this world.Smooth ,refreshing with foie gras morsels.My companion had layers of mousses of salmon.crab and leek served in a martini glass,accompanied with chopped beetroot and sesame oil ,which gave it an oriental slant.This was also a very satisfying entree. Main dishes were Pidgeoneau with a wine sauce ,cooked pink as requested ,tender and succulent.The other dish was cabillaud served over chopped cabbage with a saffron sauce.An interesting and tasty choice. DEsserts were brioche french toast with cherries, and pistachio ice cream. A real treat. A coteaux de languedoc rose went very well with dinner. THe 3 course menu at 36 euros is a steal .THe cuisine is of a high caliber. I wonder how long tables are still easily available.Only in Paris one can find a place like this.Thank you John for another excellent recommendation.

Not all: Emmanuel Rubin only gave it one heart, it was Pierrick Jegu and Jerome Berger and yours truly who blew it up. Also, you may have a point about royalty, I was with a recognizable critic who was known not only to the house but to the vendors who supplied the house and were eating there the day we did. Their presence certainly influenced the patron's offer of wines we were asked to try. After two negative reports tho', from you two, whom I respect, I'll go back with a beard and with no one who could influence the situation. ← John.You're a very fair person.

Last friday we had dinner at les fines gueules looking forward to a stellar evening. The restaurant has received glowing reviews from several critics.It sources it ingredients from impeccable sources.i,e poujouran for bread,chez bordier for butter,etc. We started with cold cuts and they were very good and then had rouget with zuchini and cote de porc with potatoes.We did not finish the 2 main dishes.The rouget was bland and the pork dish was 40% fat and therefore very greasy.However the potatoes were good. None of the wines mentionned by the critics were available,i,e loire wines by breton,Le cote de rousillion,etc.However we had a decent bourgueil at 27 euros. The chocolate dessert which was a dense chocolat mousse was deliceous. Overall it was a disapointing meal.The chef I assume must have be absent because the results were less then average. I will not return.I had the feeling that all the critics were royally treated by the owners and the rest of us mortals get reality.

Well to get around this detail, they explain that they are a dining club, not a restaurant and they only ask that you make a suggested donation, which I believe is between 50€ to 60€ with wine included. Plus you can only reserve two nights a week for now. ← How were the wines?It seems there is no corkage fee with BYO.In that case what will be the cost for dinner?

I just walk in and had a look.Its the answer to fast food. Snacks ,sanwiches and some small dishes.All at reasonable prices.Meant for lunch mostly .Counter space and high tables with stools.

Its a wonderful idea .There is nothing more pleasurable than sipping wine while gazing at a beautiful view.Here are some optionsLa plage .Quai de grenelle(15e).The river is at your feet. Ziryab. Top of l'institut arabe.Panoramic view with marroccan goodies. Le notre cafe.Hotel novotel .quai de grenelle.Wonderful pastries Please note that the pleasure is in the view and perhaps the wine and not necessarily the food.

As usual Ptipois you're giving an excellent overview of maroccan restaurants in Paris.I agree with you that most of them unfortunatly are mediocre . I had dinner at Ziryab a few years ago.The view is wonderful but the food was institutional. When it comes to middleastern cuisine the best choices are lebanese restaurants, such as NOura for instance.

Totally agree.We celebrated the new century with a 1982 Petrus. It was quite pleasant .good fruit and balance and a lingering aftertaste but nowhere worth the cost and the hype.Not a memorable experience at all. The hype is caused by the media repeating the same cliche.ITs bought by people to impress .

So the issue is whether its personal bias,likes/dislikes or uneven kitchen. Often i go back to a restaurant that i have liked and come back disapointed. So I would say that kitchen inconsistency seems to play a major role . Sometimes its minor and other times its significant.However its not always on the minus side. Once in awhile the cuisine is better then on previous visit.C'est la vie.

Actually i have had many such experiences.I think restaurants don't always deliver. There are often variations bteween visits.That's why critics go several times before writing an article. I am sure none of this is new amongst any of you.

Its truly amazing that my experience with L'Astrance is similar to yours. I went there the 1st month of their opening.Since then i have been there a few times and each time they remembered me.Also each time i want to go I call and ask for lunch cancelations and end up with a reservation. I guess the secret is out on how to get in with no advance reservation