I have been doing a bunch of Sunday night research myself and thought that Le Colimaçon could be an interesting option, if looking for an old school bistro vibe. (not necessarily a destination dinner) Thoughts?
Although I’ll agree with Ninkat that this dessert is very, very good, I feel compelled to mention that the rest of the food is destination worthy as well. Our lunch at L’Assiette with Carmenere yesterday was one of our top meals this month. None of us ordered from the lunch prix fixe, all from the dinner menu, and all differently, so I think that there was a good overview of what the kitchen is producing. My distain for taking pictures partially abated after our 3 entrees and I think that I have some shots of our mains worth attaching:
Although I’m not exactly sure that I’ll get this correctly, the first photo is of my pseudo-pappardelle carbonara, where the pasta was replaced by ribbons of squid. I started skeptically and wound up eating every ribbon & spooning up every drop of sauce. I cant describe the 2nd photo (and maybe Carmenere will weigh in here as it was hers) but, suffice it to say, the taste I cajoled was excellent. As was my wife’s red partridge (3rd photo). Intense flavors, prepared perfectly. The missing photos of the entrees would show 2 orders of snails, served in individual “cups”, floating in a very fresh herb mixture that would almost be soup worthy (& was bread sopping worthy), & one order (mine) of a pork based Pate en croute that was very nice. By the way, the bread was excellent as well & the somm. recommended a carafe of white wine that went perfectly with the meal. And, yes, my wife’s creme caramel only half made it to her side of the table. After all, I had to make sure Ninkat was correct in her assessment.
It wont be surprising that I’d highly recommend this place, even for a short stay in Paris. It’s priority worthy. Thank you to the poster formerly known as ptipois for recommending that we not leave Paris without making it here and for joining us for another really topnotch meal.
edited to add: if Andrew is still reading the France board, please note that my feeble attempt at taking photos is a direct result of being inspired by your posts’ visual aids.
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That squid looks amazing! Well, and I’m not really a dessert person, but you are right to mention the excellent food along with the supernal créme caramel.
@SteveR, assuming you meant me, I’m honored.
L’Assiette added to my list for next time. Perhaps we can meet up if our timelines cross again.
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What was incredible in these pappardelle was the delicateness of the squid ribbons, which were very lightly cooked and very tender. And the creamy sauce was out of this world.
The second photo was the ballottine de pintade with chestnuts. Guinea fowl pressed into a round loaf, wrapped in its skin, with bits of chestnuts inside. Served cold. That was amazing, and the fluff of curly endive on the photo is hiding a piece of genius: finely diced cooked pink beetroot, lightly seasoned. It was the perfect side dish to the Guinea fowl. I was very happy with this dish.
The partridge is also shaped into a ballottine of sorts, but served warm. Look how perfectly “tournés” the turnips are.
I think the pâté en croûte was chicken or pheasant-based.
The crème caramel is so rich and creative (the caramel being on top, not below the custard) that it’s almost obscene.
To me, L’Assiette epitomizes what I love in French cuisine bourgeoise: on a classic basis whose main guideline is respecting the product, it lends itself to endless refining of the classics. David, the chef, is more often to be seen in his sandwich shop-cum-grocery store, L’Arrière-Cuisine, just next door, but he had told me “Don’t worry, I have a good chef.” The chef is Japanese, and indeed he is keeping the place at its usual, excellent, totally reliable level.
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And another very belated thanks Parn. It was because of your comments that we had a great Sunday seafood lunch at La Rotonde a few years ago.
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Some of our past Sunday faves: Korus, Les Enfants Rouges, Dilia, Chantoiseau (lunch only), Automne, Amarante, Café du Coin in the 11th. Then in the next few weeks we’ll be trying A.Léa, Chocho and Flocon. Sadly, Coretta is no longer open on Sunday.
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Not that I’m speaking from an abundance of Sundays, but over our last several stays we’ve thought Aux Bons Crus to be a nice place to eat Sunday dinner. And, of course, we totally agree on both Korus and Amarante as well.
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Le Bons George! The wine list, omg!
