Allard?

[Sam Iam]

We are going to Paris later this month, on our way to B&B in southern France, and then on a wonderful Viking cruise up the Rhone.

The problem is a couple (out of four couples) is insisting that Allard is the end all-be all in Paris for dinner. It's our sixth trip to France, and it is at the very bottom of our list.

Does anyone have any recent stories, either good or bad to share? Good stories are fine. We just hate to waste a night with average food, cooked and served to Americans.

Thanks!!

[Parigi]

You are right. The other couple is wrong.

For one night, your group can dine separately, no? Then everyone's happy.

[Eastgate]

I had a very nice lunch at Allard about 18 months ago, and a fine shoulder of lamb for dinner about 3 years ago. My impression both times was that the food was solid, conventional bistro fare, prepared well and attentively. I like it a lot. But this is Paris, it's virtues are not unique, and you might be seeking other virtues in your limited time.

IMHO, it's a solid bistro. I'd be very happy indeed to have it down my street.

Where else are you going?

[Alex]

A Viking cruise, eh? Sort of like this?

Kidding aside, I'm looking forward to hearing about this terrific-sounding trip.

[kerriar]

Oh please please forget Allard unless you want to eat mediocre food with other tourists.

It has a great history but is long past its best.

Try instead l'ami jean, l'entredegeu, les papilles, etc, etc

[David Lebovitz]

I ate at Allard about a year ago. We ordered the Côte de Boeuf for 2, saignant (medium rare), and it came out completely well-done (à la semelle). Perhaps they figured because we weren't French, we wanted it overcooked. But it was very expensive and for those prices, they should make sure they cook the beef how the customer orders it. I would skip it.

[Sam Iam]

Well, we're back from two wonderful weeks in France. Our friend that organized the trip (Three couples from Toledo) is gaga over Allard, so we did go there. The food was as described. Jack refuses to eat beef less than well done, so he was a happy camper.

Most of the menu selections require that two people order the same item.

We had two other people that joined us, and Allard only let us have 5 orders of veal stew for our table, even though other tables were ordering it. BTW, the room was 100% Americans.

We figured we'd go there to make Jack happy, and he was.