Lunch in 2e or 1e near Bibliothèque Nationale?

[RandyB]

It's my turn on Monday to treat a friend who usually takes me to lunch at Grand Colbert when I'm in Paris. I'd like to find something in that price range and area (near where she works), perhaps even with better food if not the unmatchable decor.

[John Talbott]

Off the top of my temporarily Greek head - Drouant, Casaluna, Alice Bardet's place in the Marche St Honore.

[RandyB]

Bardet's Point Bar sounds great but isn't open Mondays. Drouant is, well, a bit above the budget. Casaluna also sounds great, so that's what it will be.

Thanks,

Randy

from Paris

[John Talbott]

Bardet's Point Bar sounds great but isn't open Mondays. Drouant is, well, a bit above the budget. Casaluna also sounds great, so that's what it will be.

Thanks,

Randy

from Paris

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Are you sure? Drouant's menu of the day = 45 E, menu-carte 67 E. But Casaluna is great. Report back please.

[Ptipois]

There is Au Petit Riche (great décor) on rue Le Peletier but I haven't been there for a long time. They specialize in vouvray and andouillette.

[RandyB]

Bardet's Point Bar sounds great but isn't open Mondays. Drouant is, well, a bit above the budget. Casaluna also sounds great, so that's what it will be.

Thanks,

Randy

from Paris

←

Are you sure? Drouant's menu of the day = 45 E, menu-carte 67 E. But Casaluna is great. Report back please.

←

Oh, yes. Casaluna's menu is 16.50 for 2 courses, 21 or so for 3 courses. A decent and appropriate Corsican house wine can be had for 5 per glass.

We had a lovely meal today. A simple but generous green salad with bacon and Corsican cheese, and many different greens to start. We both had the same plat, a fricasée de seiches in a rich, dark Corsican sauce whose name I did not recognize. This was delicious. The cuttlefish were perfectly cooked, not the least rubbery.

We shared a Corsican dessert that was sort of like a creme caramel, but lighter and lemon flavored. Very good.

The service was very good, and friendly. We were forced to drink two complimentary liqueurs each after our coffees. The decor was very pleasant, , and it was relatively quiet. We were seated in a smoking section but no one was smoking near us.

Thank you for the suggestion. I think this is a real find for the price.