Wondering what folks think of Allard. I’ve always wanted to try the duck with olives. Thoughts? The restaurant seems very polarizing now that it’s owned by Ducasse. Looking for an old school, dress up kind of atmosphere. And great duck. Thx!
Allard is not one of my hangouts, but if it’s typical Ducassian bistrot fare, it will be good at worst, very good at best. Not outstanding. I think Ducasse has had the good idea of having the kitchen managed by some of his best chefs, also he borrowed Arnaud Nicolas’ recipes for pâtés and terrines, so that should be at least OK.
A notable exception among those Ducasse-kissed places is L’Assiette, which should be tried before the chef leaves it, a few months from now I’ve heard.
2 Likes
Thank you for the intel!
Restaurant Allard follow up post -
TLDR -Loved it!
My daughter and I went for a late(ish) dinner midweek, mid-June. It’s obviously not a super popular restaurant because I had no trouble booking a table on the afternoon of our dinner. It was exactly what we were looking for - old school French cuisine in an old school setting.
We ordered the escargots (daughter) and Provencal green beans with almonds (me) followed by the duck for two with the macaroni gratin and Provençal vegetables to accompany. As an amuse with our Kir Royals (ok, maybe we are a cliche, but they were great!) they brought us gougeres and a tiny cucumber and mint salad. Delicious. Oh and amazing bread and butter. My daughter said the escargots were the best she’s ever had and my green beans were perfection too. I think it was the chervil. The duck did not disappoint, and we managed to eat almost all of it. For dessert we had strawberries and cream with strawberry sorbet. It was a delightful evening and I would go back again. We did not order wine and the bill, while expensive, was not outrageous. Also, all the servers were incredibly nice and very tolerant of our bad French! I hope this helps!
8 Likes
Thanks for this. You are reminding us of a couple lovely dinners we had there about 20 years ago — one in the front room to the left of the kitchen at that little lovely table for two looking out to the room with backs against the wall; and the other at a table for four in the equally lovely back room, to the right of the kitchen, after you enter in the middle. I think we’ll do it again within the next couple years, if not sooner.
I have only eaten in the room to the right and for lunches. The first time because it was open on what was otherwise a holiday and the second to take a friend. Food reflections aside, it has a comforting ambiance to me. It is on the quieter side of things and leans a bit more formal, without food presentation that makes you feel like you are receiving a sacrament. Since you have a particular duck item and setting in mind- I would say go for it, unless someone else has a strong opinion against. There is always “better” somewhere. For me, the relaxed feeling of eating at what feels like a “home” adds to the food experience. Anyone with great duck advice, chime in! I will not even ask on my search for the best rotisserie chicken- those seem to be fighting words from the research I have done 
2 Likes
