pierre45
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Posts posted by pierre45
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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.
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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
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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.
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I am not a dishwasher mechanic but it sounds like not enough water is coming out of the spray arms; either the nozzles are getting blocked or the pump is giving out,
Since you have not used it much I'd check the filters and the nozzles, and de-scale it.. - you can get cleaners and tablets you put in to do this, or failing that manually add a botle of vineagr to the rinse water
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).Dumb question from another dumb old guy.Have you added the salt?
That's usually the problem when ours starts not cleaning.
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.
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About half an hour southeast of the pont is Le Bistrot du Paradou in, well, Paradou. This is the bistrot that Peter Mayle did his best to ruin in his first book. However, the groupies and most tourists have moved on to hipper places, and the bistrot once more belongs mainly to locals. The format is simple: a set meal offering a choice of two entrees (starters), one main plate, extensive cheese plateau, choice of some half dozen desserts, coffee, choice of red or white 750ml bottle of house wine = 49 euros. The food is well sourced, simply and correctly prepared. This sweet little bistrot vies for my husband's favorite restaurant in France.
If you do decide to go, do reserve, because they cook for the reservations booked.
57 Ave. de la Vallée des Baux (D17)
04-90-54-32-70
closed Sunday and Monday.
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.
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As far as luxurious lunch menus go, I enjoyed Les Ambassadeurs and Le Bristol much, much more. (Le Meurice did not impress me either.)
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.
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So, I´ve searched the forum for recommendations for Oxford dining. There are a couple of threads but there does not seem to be much to recommend!
So, what if you´re staying in Oxford for a couple of weeks, and have a car, and don´t mind a little drive to get some place wonderful?
Thanks in advance
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
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Much as I respect both Margaret and Pierre45, (Disclosure, both of whom I have met,) they made a mistake - that is, eating dinner here. As I've said elsewhere, eat at lunch, here or at Spring or elsewhere. At Le Grand Pan, my first time there were
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!lots of regular dishes (3 fish, several meats) plus 4 plats for 2 (beef, veal and pork), firsts and desserts (from light melon soup to a big éclair). My downstairs neighbor and I agreed to split the interesting-sounding stuff: so she started with a millefeuille of veggies draped with crisp belly bacon and accompanied by a pesto sauce and I the absolutely spectacular coques and mussels sitting atop a cold (perfect on this hot, humid day) platform of eggplant caviar. Then she had the daurade (whose skin was crisply crunchy) with a side sauce of intense tomato and maybe pepper – pretty damn good, while I had what said it was pork cheeks in red wine but looked and tasted more like a splendid beef or veal stew and fell apart on touch and was draped with foie gras with a tasty polenta (my guest announced it the best of her lifetime) side.Thanks John.This is quite interesting.I will try them at lunch
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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.
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Le Grand Pan is a new takeoff on the all-inclusive bargain entrecote restaurants, offering a cote de beouf, cote de veau, pork tenderloin or half lobster. That's it. The first three are priced for two people and range from 45€ to 47€. Lobster (one-half) is served for one person at 37€. First comes a garnished soup-plate and a good vegetable veloute served from a pitcher, good bread. Then a platter of meat, cooked as you wish, and sliced off the bone, salad and a bowl of garlic frites. Salad and frites seem to be "all you want". Quality (bulk) wines are available by the carafe at 7€ for 50cm to 29€ for 100cm depending on the wine. Dessert are the usual crumbles, chocolate mousse, etc.. We settled for coffee instead. Our tab was 59€ including 50cl wine and coffee.
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.
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Many thanks for another review Pierre. I am trying to think of a new place to go next week with a friend who is in town from the States and was considering Rich but probably won't thanks to your review. I would love to hear about your latest meal at the Bistral, I haven't been in some time.
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.
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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
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A lot of the best places seem closed on Monday for lunch. Le Relais du Comptoir is open, but they seem to have some odd seating policy which I have yet to understand. If someone does, please explain it to me.
The Bristol will be open, no doubt, but that may be more formal than I seek.
Drouant is open, perhaps, but I have done that and don't need a repeat. Any other suggestions?
Tonight which is a monday night I am having dinner at Rich,14 rue cadet .9e
01 48 01 87 87.Bonne chance.
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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.
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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.I had the feeling that all the critics were royally treated by the owners and the rest of us mortals get reality.John.You're a very fair person.
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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.
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Just out of curiosity, this is illegal in Seattle, and in most of the US. Health departments don't allow the preparation of food for sale in home kitchens. Is that not true in France?
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?
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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.
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Its a wonderful idea .There is nothing more pleasurable than sipping wine while gazing at a beautiful view.Here are some optionsNo problem - but I'm still interested in hearing members' thoughts, too. The list is a good starting point, but nice to get some specific feedback on the members' favorites!La 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.
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I am not impressed by Moroccan restaurants in Paris; but I still like L'Atlas, which serves fabulous steamed fine-grain couscous.
To be checked: Ziryab, on the top floor of L'Institut du monde arabe. Has anyone been there?
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.
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Petrus is so not worth the hype. This was a bottle my boyfriend had had stored in his cave in Chinon for nearly ten years and decided we should drink it to celebrate moving in together. We had three other friends over.
A year later, we mentioned drinking Petrus to our friend Philippe, who had been there, and he said, "Yeah, would be interesting." I said: "But you DID, don't you remember?"
Not a memorable experience, and again not memorable when I tasted the 1996 at a tasting for Moueix's opening of a new Paris-region wine store last December. Assumably it was not counterfeit as Moueix owns Petrus, and it was similar to what we had tasted in a full bottle at home of a comparable vintage (not a recent purchase, as described above), so...
Anyone who can explain the mystique will be welcome to me.
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 .
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A single visit will often tell you after the first course--or even before--whether you want to come back. You couldn't do Parkeresque point-based ratings on such scant evidence, but you'll probably know whether a particular restaurant has what you want. It's as instinctive as whether or not you think a stranger is beautiful or likeable. It's the job of the critic to convey these impressions, together with enough personal style to suggest to the reader whether or not to trust your judgment. For instance, anyone reading my review of Ze Kitchen Galerie or L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon will know exactly what my rather strong bias happens to be. For some, my dislike might even be a positive impetus to go there.
There, John--has the point degenerated enough to call for a split-off?!
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.
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Laidback said:Some wise elder stated a long time ago: de gustibus est non disputandum. A good example is the bearded e-Gullet Johns two different takes on Ze Kitchen Galleries. Both are experienced gastronomes but one loves it the other hates it.
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.
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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
Bin 8945
in California: Dining
Posted
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