molto e

Curlz, You must have some more knowledge than this thread, but if not then here is a little more http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dining/Restau...urrenceID=91062 Molto e

Doc, Robuchon was great and I think that you and the fam would have a blast at Chez Denise. As you know on these trips so many restaurants, so little time Molto E

Juanito, Now don't get me wrong I liked L'Ami, but if you are going to spend that for a meal let it be at Le Bristol or some where of that kind. I do think that kind of level for good not great bistro food is out of line and there are other bistros in town that are just as good for half the money. If you wish to see a little Paris nostalgia than L'Ami would have to be on your list and you will get a good meal in the process. Molto E p.s. something has to be said for a restaurant that can spark this much conversation

I am glad you enjoyed the photos-obviously the meals were memorable and works of art in their own way. I was in Paris a week, but we did lunch-rest-dinner everyday we were there and only after a huge lunch at L'Ami Louis did I not have dinner that night. I did eat Pierre Herme and some awesome stuff that we got at the grocery store for dinner that night late. I wish our grocery stores carried the same quality as I saw over there. We shopped at an Atac(I think) and I took it as an average grocery store is that true?(ie non-gourmet). I went to Spain after Paris so with all the fish I ate in Spain-the weight issue evened out. Good Eating, Molto E

greensNbeans, I had the "Surprise Menu" in April and I really should have ordered a la carte, because there were many things that I did not get to try. The service was flawless, but some of the dishes were not really to my taste. The window behind the curtain was actually into the kitchen which I thought was cool Amuses of goat cheese and blood orange slurp in the first picture and the second was chicken popsickles(not frozen), goat cheese and macaroni and Foie Kisses Deconstruction of Bloody Mary-this was the best "dish" of the night very good Chorizo Cream, Balsamsic, Macadamia, Ice Onions, Ice Cornichons I liked this soup, but I could have done without the Ice Cornichons White Asparagus, Brown Butter Yogurt, Black Olive, Morel, Bread Foam This was delicious-the morels were sublime Foie Gras "Poele", Apricot, Amaretto, Bitter Almond Ice Cream, Black Tea I really am not that big on apricots and there was a big vein running through my foie Caramelized Scallop and Boudin Noir, Apple Granny Smith, Walnut, Nitro Arbois Wine I did not like the raw cauliflower under the scallop, but the boudin noir with the granny smith apple was great Cap'N Crunch Sole, Smoked Mashed Potato, Pickled Banana, Red Bell Pepper Oil I did not like the Captain Crunch on the sole. He serves chicken that way and I would have liked to try that. The pickled banana was not to my taste and the mashed were very smoked. Seared Duck Breast with Vadouvan, Wasabi Consumme, Udon with Pink Grapefruit, Toast Skin Oil and Soy Sauce Tube My menu says Bailey's Spoon but I remeber it as a frozen Pina Colada Lychee Rose Water Gelee, Candied Ginger Ice Cream Chocolate Roquefort Fondant, Green Cardamon, Ganache Crumble This was an interesting dish-I liked the idea of cheese in the molten cake, but I thought that the roquefort was a little too strong Petit Fours I could definitely see Pierre Gagnaire's influence in Chef Ludovic Lefebvre's cooking and I would try Bastide again Molto E

More Sarah click on Sarah's picture under the photo gallery http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/search/...0,2195089.venue

Mayur, That was actually dinner at Robuchon at 6:30. The ham was good get a order you will not be disappointed. Eliot

LE CINQ ,31, avenue George V, 75008- Four Seasons Hotel Executive Chef Philippe Legendre of Taillevent fame received his third Michelin Star last year and some consider the best chef in town. This restaurant was recommended to me by the most people as the best in town and unfortunately I did not find it so. The service was top notch and the room opulent, but the food on this particular lunch did not measure up to the hype. An aperitif offered by Olivier, who was so gracious and when I asked to make a substitution on the tasting menu, he asked me to trust him and it would all work out. Amuse Mousse of sole with Oscetra caviar Olivier arranged for an additional course of the tuna belly Gambas fricassee with braised stuffed artichokes I thought that the shrimp were cooked too much and that was disappointing. Roasted line-caught cod and green olive harissa/ I liked how they turned the skin on the fish-very nice Medallion of farm milk-fed veal with sage and pommes puree This was a disappointment as well, my veal was ordered medium rare and came past medium and the crust on the veal was not to my taste. Squab fromm the Racan region stuffed with herbs and seasonal vegetables I liked how they stuffed the pigeon with herbs and this tasted good. At this point in the meal, I was really disappointed with the food and regretted Le Cinq as my lunch choice. The cheese course was amazing, but dessert was not noteworthy. Great selection of cheese and some great accompaniments Dessert Amuse Macaroons with fresh cream cheese and lime frosting, hibiscus flavoured raspberries Now I would be remiss if I did not mention that if one were a single gentleman and had time on a Saturday afternoon to make it over to the Four Seasons for a spot of tea-the sweets on display are amazing ATELIER DE ROBUCHON Hôtel Pont Royal 7, rue de Montalembert / 75007 Atelier de Robuchon was one of our favorite meals while in Paris. The restaurant is set up as a bar with no tables and a counter along the bar that is your dining area. This is an orthodox set up and if you are going with a party of more than 4 it is difficult to speak with each other. I would also suggest that if you do have a party of four or more to try and sit around a corner so you can see each other. The other odd thing is that the server is behind the bar and when your dish arrives the server has to negotiate the ledge of the bar to get your dish to you. Now all that said the food was great...... This is Robuchon's tapas bar and he has placed Chef Erick Lecerf formally of the Astor where he received two stars at the helm. This is world tapas and they do it well. The open kitchen allows for a full view of the kitchen at work Le Jambon "Iberico De Bellota" escorte de pain toaste a la tomate-so good La Langoustine en papillote croustillante au basilic-good Le Foie Gras frais de canard cuit au torchon-some of the best Foie I had in Paris La Sardine les felers en escabeche sur de fins toasts melba au confit de tomate La Langoustine en ravioli truffe a l'etuvee de chou vert printaniers, fagotes de saumon fume sur une creme acidulee au wasabi very neat dish This was a pasta special of the day L'Onglet en tartare et ses frites a l'ancienne-very good tartare and great frites Special of the day-Seared Foie Gras L'Agneau De Lait du Vaucluse, en cotelettes a la fleur de thym/ Lamb was great and Robuchon's pommes puree-does it get any better It can get better if you order another side of potatoes Sweetbreads clams Le Foie Gras en ravioles dans un bouillon de poule avec une fleurette pimentee This was the only dish that we had that was just so-so, not much flavor going on in this dish. Le Boeuf la noix d'entrecote de Baviere ou de Normandie a la plancha very good may have been the best steak that I had in Paris, though I did miss American Prime steak over there Dessert was just alright Souffle Chocolate Sensation This was a great meal, I look forward to trying the Atelier in Las Vegas very soon AUX LYONNAIS 32, rue St.-Marc, Second This is a bistro that is supposed to be in the style of Lyon and owned by Alain Ducasse and Thiery de la Brosse, who owns L'Ami Louis. Well, I wish I had a copy of the menu instead of just a picture, but two of us had the prix fixe menu for 28 euros which is quite a bargin The first course was a choice of charcuterie or a lyonnaise salad and both were very good This was some Foie-Pork terrine and was not really what we envisioned though not necessarily disliked Soup Fish and well liked, but I do not remember the kind This was a quenelle of some kind of fish Blood sausage and very good some kind of raw milk cheese The first floating island that I really liked I am sorry that I did not have the exact dish descriptions here but the menu is AWOL. I would recommend Aux Lyonnais and I think you will enjoy it. These are the links from our other Paris restaurants that are in other threads http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=10271 start at post #10-the meal of the trip and one of the best of my life http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=19757 start at post #7 very, very good http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=73229 did not like it http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=73014 liked the food but the service was a different story Molto E

CHEZ DENISE, 5 rue Prouvaires, First: Our first night in Paris was at Chez Denise, which was featured on Bourdain's "No Reservations" and it is a great place to get rolling in Paris. This is a place that by the end of the evening you are passing plates and bottles of wine around to the tables next to you because you are so close to each other that you become part of your neighbors meal. As soon as you open the door and walk in, you are taken back in time and get the feel of Paris of old and you LOVE it. The charcuterie was delicious and served at room temperature which made it melt in your mouth. The table next to us became our translators as one of the diners taught elementary school English and they brought a friend with That is definitely one thing I wish we could do in the US Foie Gras de Canard Maison Pate de Champagne Steak Tartare is usually served as a entree in Paris so the portions were huge Brains Our neighbors food which we all tried, but I can not remeber-too much wine Cote de Boeuf Grille for 2 Frites-I think they use duck fat to fry them Pied de Porc Pan Our waiter was really nice and was trying to stop us from ordering so much food, but we just could not. He just thought we were crazy, but we told him we just wanted to taste-first night in Paris Escargots Our little friend left with a Bucket of bones from the kitchen and he ate kidneys, brains and whatever else might have fallen his way throughout dinner. Chez Denise was a great dining experience and a great deal of fun. FAUCHON-Gourmet Store,FAUCHON vous accueille dans ses magasins 24-26-30 place de la Madeleine, Paris 8ème This was the most amazing gourmet store and I will post a few shots of it Foie Gras anyone? You could get lost in that store for a while LE COMPTOIR,9 carrefour de l'Odeon 75006 Paris Hotel Relais St. Germain This is Chef Yves Camdeborde new restaurant and hotel. He worked with Chef Christian Constant at the Hotel Crillon and then was Chef at La Regalade, where he achieved much acclaim. Le Comptoir during lunch service serves bistro food and at night serves a 7 course set menu for 40 euros that is a steal. Jus glace de crustaces, caviar de hareng hostie de vieux comte I really liked the presentation of this course Fine gelee de ped de veau, emiette de pinces de tourreaux releve pequillos et pomme fruit Tranche de quasi de veau, beurre persille, et artichaut cremeux, petites olives nicoises Plateau de fromages affines par P.Boursault The cheese tray is placed on the table and you serve yourself. Cremeux cafe arabica, mousse de Mascarpone et ganache de chocolat Valhrona Le bonbon du fondeur en chocolat Jacques Genin. Le Cinq uses caramels from Genin also, they are oh so good. If you have a picture of the kitchen in your mind right now, I am sure it is a lot larger than the real thing I liked Le Comptoir for dinner, but the lunch menu with all bistro fare is awesome. Daniel Boulud's nephew was running the restaurant and he will be opening a hotel in Valencia in the near future. ATELIER MAITRE ALBERT-1, Rue Maître-Albert Paris 5 Guy Savoy has revamped this bistro and made the food revolve around the Rotisserie. Duck carpaccio/ This dish was not really to my taste Soup of the day spit roasted leg of lamb/ This was really good Gratin of potatoes Spit roasted chicken-This was very good and the star of the meal Spit roasted sirloin steak Artichoke and mushroom gratin Jar of chocolate mousse and creme caramel Tiramisu Black chocolate fondant, crispy praline, sorbet cacao, custard cream grapefruit terrine This was a reasonably priced meal and it was very good. Atelier Maitre Albert is a good place to go for comfort food. Pierre Herme: I had been waiting to try Pierre Herme's creations for a long time and he did not disappoint. This was like walking into Cartier not a pastry shop Oh those macaroons-the sea salt caramel was great Had to try these thanks to Pim I left with about 6 macaroons and some chocolate and somehow they disappeared sooner than expected L'AMI LOUIS-32, rue du Vert-Bois / 75003 L'Ami Louis is definitely one of those restaurants that makes some people react passionately good or bad. I will say on the basis of the food that it was good not great, but for bistro fare incredibly overpriced. The Foie Gras is a well known dish here, but I thought it was served too cold. I did like the plates of toasted bread that accompanied the Foie Jambon Pata Negra Frog's legs-good dish Escargots Cote de veau a la creme Roasted chicken-very, very good in fact as good as it comes Entrecote poelee-very good The pommes anna were as good as advertised, but the confit of duck was just ok Talk about an old school kitchen-very cool I enjoyed L'Ami Louis, but I my recommendation is somewhat muted because as I said the tab for what was served is way out of line. If the Entrecote was Wagyu or if the Foie Gras did not have so much oxidation, if the chicken was Bresse then you can justify such a tariff, but this is just good honest bistro fare. I can not fit the rest of my post in this one so Paris Part 2 soon to follow Molto E

More press for Sarah http://www.centerstagechicago.com/restaura...ahscandies.html

luizhorta, I can see Andoni is a skilled chef, but I do not think it is fair to the diner or himself to have to be understood past the dishes he puts on the table. This was the most beautiful and disappointing restaurant and meal of my trip. Molto E

I will add one thing for now-the servers were very nice to us and let me go in the kitchen and take pictures.

I love to see the passion about food, but let's wave the white flag and take a deep breath more to come-getting my post together Molto E

Mayur, I am jealous that you will be eating at my favorite restaurant. I am pretty sure the menu is the same between lunch and dinner and jacket is required. I just looked at the website and I think that the chef's menu has changed since my meal there so I would think that there are some menu changes as well. I will attempt to answer your questions: 1. see above 2. When we dined there we did not have one thing that we did not love. 3. The best value is the tasting menu, but there were things on the a la carte that I could not live without so you may want to do one tasting and order a la carte for the other meal. 4. I think that you will be equally happy with all of Chef Frechon's dishes 5. As for wines you are in good hand's with their suggestions 6. As for cheese see my picture-how is that a weakness http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=10271 7. I did not eat at Le Meurice, but I have only heard good things and the same of L'Arpege. I did not have a good eating experience at Pierre Gagnaire or Le Cinq, but the service at both was very good. These are not starred spots but I liked Atelier de Robuchon, Le Comptoir for lunch and Chez Denise. Two names that kept coming up to try were La Troquet and L'Ami Jean. 8. Based upon my experience at Le Bristol, this is not a meal to miss and for any other questions ask Raphael Courant, the restaurant manager and a true gentleman-he gave us great menu suggestions Good Eating, Molto E

I am glad you all enjoyed Sarah's, I always get my coffee and treats from her when I am in the area. Ronnie next time try the turtles-they are really neat flat shaped disks and if you want to meet me there to see who can munch more Sarah's let me know so I don't eat breakfast. Molto E

Ai Leen, The waiting 15 minutes is definitely a service faux paus, but I suggest you speak to Melissa in reservations Melissa@thefatduck.co.uk to rectify your party's issues. She was incredibly gracious and accommodating to my requests. I would think Chef B gets a pass on post-blackout issues, but you guys are pretty tough and when you are the "top-rated" restaurant in the world not much margin of error. Good Eating, Molto E

Junior, Nobuo Fukuda was a "Best New Chef" in 2003, I ate there Sunday and Monday-love it! Molto E

Junior, What price range were you looking for and did you just want restaurants in the Chandler/ Tempe area? Short List Phoenix Best Binkley's Restaurant, Cave Creek-40 north of Tempe, but this is one of the best restaurants in the country. http://www.binkleysrestaurant.com/ Sea Saw Restaurant, Scottsdale- Sashimi http://www.seasaw.net/ Cyclo Restaurant Chandler- Vietnamese, affordable great flavors http://www.azcentral.com/ent/best2004/dini...etnamese18.html Zinc Bistro, Scotsdale- best bistro in town http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dining/Restau...urrenceID=89079 Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix. The king of Pizza http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dining/articl...pizza14-CP.html A couple just in Tempe House of Tricks, Tempe. A couple of blocks off Mill Ave, cool house with indoor and outdoor seating-great place to go and eat outside when the weather is right. http://www.houseoftricks.com/ PF Changs, Tempe-right on Mill ave Salt Cellar, Tempe-Seafood-never been there, but has been around forever http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/1994...ining/cafe.html Corleone's Philly Steaks, Tempe-Mill Ave. If you like cheese steaks this is the place to go http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert...ining27Z12.html Ted's Hot Dogs (10:00am to 9:00pm Sun-Thurs - Fri&Sat 10:00am to 10:00pm) 1755 E. Broadway Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 968-6678 Corner Broadway & McClintock Chuckbox, Tempe-Good cheap burger right across from ASU Chuckbox Restaurant 202 E UNIVERSITY DR TEMPE, AZ 85281 (480) 968-4712 Oregano's Pizza Oregano's - (480) 858-0501 - 523 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ - - 2.24mi - map - This should keep you busy for awhile Molto E

The store hours are Fri-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 10am-6pm, Mon-Thurs 8am-9pm. Ronnie-that was my lunch Molto E

I was having one of those days where I was late for an appointment, but desperately needed my espresso and muffin fix. I walked into the Starbucks at Oak and Rush and the line was out the door, so I reversed field and started going to my appointment without my necessary fuel. I got incredibly lucky and bumped into SARAH'S PASTRIES AND CANDIES at 11 E. Oak. The shop is tastefully done and the assortment of muffins, scones, croissants, pastries and candy looked inviting, but I did not have time to sample everything-just a double espresso and chocolate croissant. Sarah and her workers were very nice and offered me various samples, but I had to dash. I am a devout Starbucks espresso drinker so when I stray from that I usually run into disappointment, but I loved the espresso (Intelligentsia) and it was time to try the croissant-wow!! I just returned from a week in Paris and this was as good as I had in Paris. I went to my appointment and when I was done, a strange force was pulling me back to Sarah's. Sarah has her own signature chocolates for sale and she carries some very high-end chocolates for those who have that sweet tooth. The carrot cake muffins and blueberry muffins are a must have. The banana chocolate chip and creme fraiche coffee cakes are great. Chocolate covered Oreo's and turtles are great and Sarah's signature candies that are also for sale in Whole Foods and various other Chicagoland stores. The macaroons are the best that I have had in the states and could give Pierre Herme a run for the money. I liked the chocolate tarts and raspberrry financiers also. She told me someone comes in and buys a dozen eclairs everyday and I can see why. The frosting on the cupcakes is HEAVENLY The croissants were great and the chocolate raspberry brioche must have been a heaven sent inspiration. How do I know how good all these pastries are well it was lunchtime so......... The black and white cupcake was really good and is black and white all the way through. This is the only cupcake that I have seen baked this way. Who is this pastry maven-Sarah Levy of the Levy Restaurant family. She is a graduate of the French Pastry School in Chicago, which is where Ferran Adria's brother Albert of El Bulli came to give classes last year. You can read about it in Louisa's Moveable Feast http://www.movable-feast.com/el_bulli/index.html So obviously she is one well schooled-SWEETIE. I told her that I loved my espresso and she explained to me that Craig Sindelar who is one of the sommeliers of Alinea blended the beans for her. This is no run of the mill pastry shop, but I knew that already. They also make the candies in shop which happens to be a good time to stop by-FREE SAMPLES. http://www.sarahscandies.com/index.php Give it a try and become a Sarah's addict

TJD, The price, did you feel that it was expensive? When we dined there we told the Chef that he should raise his prices. I am not sure what you are using as your parameters, but I do not feel that based on price that it is out of line for that kind of restaurant. We had the Chef's sister as our server and she was very good. If one wished to be critical, I can see the "operational erratic" comment. Though overall, this is a family run restaurant and there is a charm in that. You did say that the food was very good, so give them another shot. Molto E

Fiona, I recently spent a week "fooding" in Paris and these were my favorites: 1. Le Bristol http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=10271 hop down to post #10 for pictures on the meal. This may have been the meal of my life. 2. Jamin http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=19757 Classic with a little flair-very good 3. Atelier de Robuchon- World Tapas, very good 4. Le Comptoir for lunch-very good If you have problems getting a reservation at Le Bristol-ask for Raphael( Directeur du Restaurant Raphael Courant) and ask him for help. Good Eating, Molto E

seanw, Besides the menu at Akelare, he had a list of specials that were his takes on classic dishes from the region. If I had gone back that is what I wanted to try. The input I had on MB prior to Pedro and xyz was that he had too much going on in some of his dishes, but I would try him if I went back and I had Etxebarri and Fagollaga on the list to try also. Molto E

R U being Silly-of course, Martin Berastegui

To bad because my meal at Martin last month was better then Arzak or Akalare or El Bulli, also just wondering why does almost everyone who goes to San Sebastian skip Martin. ← Not me, I can assure you. I've always believed that Martín is the best restaurant in the area and one of the best in the country. ← Thanks for the tip, it will be Martin next time. Doc did you try Berastegui?