Pourcels' Compagnie to Open in Paris

[cabrales]

Zagat reports:

"Compagnie des Comptoirs (La): A third location (the others are in Montpellier and Avignon) to open in Paris later this spring, from the Pourcel Brothers (also of the Michelin three-star Jardin des Sens in Montpellier)."

[dallardice]

I ate in the Avignon branch with friends in Sept last year.

It was seriously one of the worst meals I have ever had in France. Discordant ingredients appeared on the plate with no relation to each other; a lot of effort in the presentation but not in the cooking. Service haughty and unfriendly: two dishes (one starter and one dessert) which had figs as a major ingredient arrived with quince instead; we were told that we should have know that figs were out of season at the time we went - in which case, why on the menu? Desperately trendy and desperately empty bar completed the sorry state.

Our French friends had been before, and only went again at my request; they thought it expensive and disgusting. Not sure I understand what the Pourcels are trying to do here; it seriously put me off trying Jardin des Sens; I'm not a traditionalist when it comes to food but I do like some intelligence put into the process.

[Bux]

We had several excellent meals in le Jardin des Sens when it was two stars. We've not had a chance to eat there since it was three stars and not been to any of the other restaurants run by the Pourcels, but the reports I've been hearing sadden me.