The last two restaurants included a new spot and a favorite from the past. Let’s start with the ‘new’ one. This was a place that was high on Eric’s list and he finally got a reservation.
Chez L ‘Ami Jean
This is considered an iconic restaurant that serves some of the city’s best wild-game dishes (in season) and Basque inspired cuisine at this tiny restaurant. Little has changed since the site opened as a Basque pub in the 1030s. The current Chef-Proprietor, Stephane Jego, furthers the commitment to Gallic culinary heritage, but adds a twist of something more modern along with a commitment to sourcing the very best ingredients. Enough about history, let’s talk food.
Here is shot of their menu. Yep, need to understand a bit of French to read it. But after spending almost two weeks in France, we were getting fairly good and more comfortable.
We kicked things off with a few shareables: (L) house pate’ w/ cornichons & (R) Braised duck.
(L) Braised beef w/ feta cheese and 7 fresh-cut herbs & (R) Greek-style baked octopus
And then our entrees’ arrived – everyone was happy with their choices. OMG – my chicken (L) selection was fabulous. First the black plate arrived and I thought, huh, that’s it? When they continued to bring our dishes to the table, the white bowl to the right of the black plate appeared, which had the rest of my chicken – OMG, every piece was a detectible morsel. (R) braised Angus beef.
(L) veal sweetbread (R) smoked duck breast
Naturally had to end the meal with desserts: apple tart (L) and tiramisu (R).
But the dessert they are known for…………rice pudding. Not really my thing, but Adrienne and Eric continue to rave about it, even once we got back to the states. There was a large bowl of the pudding, then add-ins could be spooned on top for individual taste.
Definitely was one of my top meals and experiences during our time in Paris.
Le Polidor
We originally found this restaurant while I was reading a book by Rick Steves and traveling in France and Paris. Since that first visit, we’ve tried to make a stop at the restaurant each time we are staying in Paris.
Polidor opened as a cheese store and restaurant in 1845. By 1890 the restaurant was the only business the owners focused on, closing the store. Polidor quickly became a popular rendezvous for artists, students, intellectuals and politicians from the surrounding neighborhoods. Le Polidor provided simple good French cuisine, both homey and affordable. It is one of the oldest bistros in Paris. History lesson over, let’s see the food!
Shared starters were escargot and pate’.
Salad – sometimes you need greens. 🙂
Entres’ were pasta w/bacon, chicken and beef w/frites.
Two desserts were shared, one with apples and the other with cherries.
Enjoyed our meal, enjoyed the atmosphere, enjoyed the company and glad I got to visit another time.
It’s taken me waaaaaaay too long to finally finish the posts from our French trip. But it’s done now. Starting to think and plan for next year’s European trip. Ciao!
Darden Travels 