We went to Pianovins today for lunch.
We really enjoyed our 35E Menu Dejeuner.
My tempura-ed cauliflower with a gremolota sauce was nice. If the sauce were even more assertive (a little garlic?) it would have been even better.
My wife’s charred broccolini starter was even more interesting.
Her John Dory in a light cumin sauce was very nice.
My lamb with scallions, green peppercorns and several sauces, including a wonderfully light mustard sauce, was incredibly tender and most excellent. This dish alone makes Pianovins a must return (whether we ever see it on the menu again or not).
The Brie de Meaux, one of 3 cheeses on my cheese course (unpictured, 10E supplement) along with a Salers and an aged goat cheese, was particularly nice. Unfortuately, there was no fruit or sweet/acidic accompaniment with the cheese.
Each of my wine pairings (a white and a red Givry) were very good and paired well, especially the red with the lamb. Each was served a little too warm. And the wines by the glass the only thing not a great value here (14E and 15E), with the white served in an appropriate glass, and the red served in the same size glass (not hipster, but not ideal).
The strawberries, sorbet and marscapone dessert gets no points for creativity this spring (I think this was the 3rd variation on this dessert we’ve had), but it was very tasty.
I believe we were seated in the same place that @onzieme and @sfcarole had been.
The only “bad” thing to note about our experience is that there was only one other couple (French, I believe) dining with us. Now Saturday afternoon is likely the least popular time to dine out at nicer restaurants, and partly I chose Pianovins today precisely because not that many nicer places are open on a Saturday, but I did feel this was worth pointing out.
I strongly urge folks to try this place. Excellent value. As my wife noted, this goes high on our list of places to return to next year.
