PIANOVIN -- Restaurant Reivew

 

No updated website, but address is 46 Rue Trousseau, 75011 Paris

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor 

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

BASED ON TASTING MENU FOR THEIR SOFT OPENING, EASILY I CAN GIVE IT 5

Normally I don't review restaurants wherein I'm comped. But this was a opening and they want feedback. So, one of our favorite restaurants in Paris, "Chefs À Table" opened up a new restaurant down the street. Technically it is not open, they had a "soft-opening" for their local customers, whom my close friend Sarah is one of them. And, I was her date for the evening. Lucky me. The "soft-opening" will continue for a few more days and/or weeks and I will announce it when it will be opened. They have a website from the previous owners, but very outdated, and I'm not sure what their phone # will be  make reservations yet. Again, I will update you as soon as I find out. If we were the guinea pigs, then lucky us. 

It's a small narrow restaurant, but very cozy, and more importantly it's air-conditioned.  So, definitely a must go to place to cool down for the summer months.  

As you entered you will see the kitchen, it's wide open. As most of you know I like open kitchens, it tells you a lot about a restaurant, how they work, and the orderly and cleanliness of the kitchen. 

It is a "dégustation" (tasting) menu. Our first batch (starting top left going clockwise) was fresh oysters. Wow, I've never had fresh oysters like this. They got rid of the brine and then made a juice from cucumbers. Replaced the brine with the cucumbers and 2 nibbles of cucumber, reminiscent of sweet and sour. You still had the flavors of the sea, but not as intense. It sat on a bed of wakame seaweed, which is edible, but it was more for garnish, cause I tasted it and there was no flavor. Overall, this was a fantastic first start. Very refreshing. 

The next was a "sweetbread" croquette. OMG, this was absolutely delicious. It was crunchy, not oily, deep fried croquette and a soft succulent sweetbreads that melted in your mount. A hit.

Lastly, we had beer crackers. Crackers were made with a beer batter. Very simple with dollops of creamed peas, onions and a thin slice sashimi which I believe was yellowtail, but not sure.

Throughout the meal we had sliced sourdough bread with a butter mixture composed by Emmanuel, the chef. It was the soft fresh creaminess of the butter with a basil oil and some textural element. Perfect.

Pickled beets with an apple mustard ice cream. Talk about inventive, and who in their right mind would think that mustard and apples would make a good ice cream. And, no it was not a mousse, it was literally ice cream.

Beets are such meh to me. But these raw pickled beets in combination with the apple mustard ice cream brought beets to a whole new level. The flavor profiles were unbelievable. I'm now a believer. AMEN to that.

This was a de-constructed ravioli. From the first impression (right photo) it doesn't look like anything special. As you unfold the top ravioli or pasta sheet, which was a squid ink pasta garnished with radishes, you get a wonderful surprise of lobster meat and and the accompanying sauce. I have nothing to say but good things about this dish. This had to have been my favorite dish. The sweetness of the lobster with the starch of the pasta and pickled radish was a hit. I'd have this again in a nano-second. 

Next our fish course. It was a fera fish, a fresh water lake fish commonly found in France and Switzerland.

It was accompanied with a grilled fig, radishes and a basil cream. From the first impression I assumed that the fish skin was going to be crispy. It was actually flashed grill or pan grilled and then steamed. The fish was extremely moist and the skin was edible, melted in your mouth. Personally, I would've preferred the skin to be crispy, but either way it was delicious. I think Emmanuel likes working with radishes and it worked well with this dish as well.. 

And, at this point I am so, so full. But we still had our meat dish and of course dessert. This was a "cote de porc". with a grilled nectarine, baby bok choy and a demi-glace. This was delicious. The meat was so tender. I really do not like fruit with savory dishes, probably from my days of having "duck l'orange", which I hate, but my friend Sarah insisted that I combine the two and taste. Well now I'm a believer. Nectarines aren't real sweet and when grilled it gave it a nice smoky flavor. It worked extremely well by offsetting  the savory with a little "textured" sweetness. 

At this point I'm busting at the seams, but we're onto our last dessert. As many of you know I don't like desserts, primarily because I don't like sweets. 

But this was definitely an interesting dessert. It was an ice cream of zucchini, ever so slightly sweetened, with some crumbled pound cake and a local cream cheese, much lighter, thinner and not as sour as the American version. I actually liked this dessert because it wasn't sweet. For someone who doesn't eat dessert, I'd have this again, primarily because it wasn't cloyingly sweet. 

LIBATIONS 

LAHERTE FRES A CHAVOT ULTRADITION BRUT 

Laherte Frères Ultratradition Brut is a Champagne that showcases the craftsmanship and terroir of the Laherte family in Chavot, France. Here are some detailed tasting notes:

Appearance

Color: Bright golden-yellow with a fine, persistent mousse.

Clarity: Clear and vibrant.

Nose (Aroma)

Primary Aromas: Fresh and fruity with notes of green apple, pear, and citrus (lemon zest and grapefruit).

Secondary Aromas: Floral hints, particularly white flowers like acacia and honeysuckle.

Tertiary Aromas: Subtle hints of toasted almonds, brioche, and a touch of minerality.

Palate (Taste)

Structure: Medium-bodied with a well-balanced acidity and a creamy, smooth texture.

Flavors: The palate reflects the nose with fresh apple, pear, and citrus flavors. There are also hints of peach and apricot, adding complexity.

Secondary Flavors: Notes of freshly baked bread, toasted nuts, and a touch of honey.

Minerality: A distinct chalky minerality that gives a sense of the terroir.

Finish: Long and clean with a lingering freshness and slight saline note.

Overall Impression

Laherte Frères Ultratradition Brut is a refined and elegant Champagne with a perfect balance between freshness and complexity. It is versatile and can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of foods such as seafood, light appetizers, and soft cheeses. This Champagne highlights the traditional methods and unique terroir of the Laherte family vineyards, making it a delightful choice for any occasion.

DOMAINE DES HUARDS FRANCOIS 

Domaine des Huards François 1er 2020, Cour Cheverny Cendrier is a distinctive white wine made from the Romorantin grape, which is unique to the Cour-Cheverny appellation in the Loire Valley, France. Here are the detailed tasting notes:

Appearance

Color: Pale straw yellow with greenish highlights.

Clarity: Clear and bright.

Nose (Aroma)

Primary Aromas: Fresh and vibrant with prominent notes of green apple, pear, and citrus (lime and lemon).

Secondary Aromas: Hints of white flowers such as acacia and hawthorn.

Tertiary Aromas: Subtle nuances of wet stone and flint, contributing to a mineral edge.

Palate (Taste)

Structure: Medium-bodied with a crisp acidity and a well-integrated texture.

Flavors: The palate showcases a combination of tart green apple, juicy pear, and citrus flavors, reflecting the aromas.

Secondary Flavors: Hints of quince and a touch of honey, adding depth and complexity.

Minerality: Pronounced minerality with a chalky, almost saline character that is typical of the Romorantin grape.

Finish: Long, refreshing finish with a persistent minerality and a slight bitterness, which enhances the overall balance.

Overall Impression

Domaine des Huards François 1er 2020, Cour Cheverny Cendrier is a well-crafted and expressive wine that highlights the unique qualities of the Romorantin grape and the terroir of Cour-Cheverny. It offers a delightful balance of fruit, floral, and mineral notes, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate distinctive and terroir-driven wines. This wine pairs beautifully with seafood, particularly oysters and shellfish, as well as goat cheese and light, herbaceous dishes.

SYLVAIN PATAILLE BOURGOGNE

Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne AOC is a wine that reflects the skill and philosophy of Sylvain Pataille, a renowned winemaker known for his commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture. Here are the detailed tasting notes:

Appearance

Color: Ruby red with purple tinges.

Clarity: Clear and bright with a youthful appearance.

Nose (Aroma)

Primary Aromas: Fresh red fruits, including cherry, raspberry, and red currant.

Secondary Aromas: Hints of violet and peony, providing a floral lift.

Tertiary Aromas: Subtle earthiness with notes of underbrush, wet leaves, and a touch of spice (cinnamon, clove).

Palate (Taste)

Structure: Medium-bodied with a balanced acidity and fine-grained tannins.

Flavors: The palate mirrors the nose with vibrant red fruit flavors, particularly cherry and raspberry.

Secondary Flavors: A delicate touch of licorice and a hint of minerality.

Texture: Silky and smooth with a refined tannic structure.

Finish: Medium to long finish with lingering red fruit and a slight earthy undertone.

Overall Impression

Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne AOC is a beautifully crafted wine that captures the essence of Burgundy. It offers a harmonious balance of fruit, floral, and earthy elements, making it an approachable yet complex wine. This wine is versatile and pairs well with a range of dishes, including roasted poultry, grilled salmon, charcuterie, and soft cheeses. It is an excellent representation of the Bourgogne appellation and Sylvain Pataille's dedication to natural winemaking techniques.

SUMMARY 

Be on the lookout when this restaurant opens. I can already see it becoming a destination restaurant. Emmanuel is so young, but so talented. He's not afraid to mix-match flavors to see what would taste good to the palate. Because it was a soft opening, I don't know when they will open, nor the prices etc, but I will keep you posted. Hopefully they'll open in September when we come back. Keep in mind it is a "dégustation" menu (tasting menu), like their other restaurant "Chefs à Table." And, I'm pretty sure they will accommodate people with allergies or likes/dislike.

NOTE: No prices yet, everything was comped. Thanks again Sarah for thinking of me to join you. It was quite a lovely experience. 

A MUST GO TO. 

I WILL UPDATE THIS POST ONCE I GET MORE INFORMATION AS TO WHEN THEY WILL OPEN AND UPDATE THEIR WEBSITE. 

MOKOLOCO -- Restaurant Review

 

For information, reservation and location: https://www.mokoloco.fr/

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor 

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

2.25 - Star........................................€€....................................."bomb" bells

While checking out different restaurants I have not been to, I came across this restaurant and thought what a great idea. It's like a permanent "pop-up" restaurant except the restaurant stays while new chefs come every week to serve up their style of food. ISABEL GARCIA, was the chef of the week, and she  specializes in Spanish and mediterranean cuisine. 

This was the menu for the evening. Everything is a la carte. Note: do not depend on the online menu. It's not always updated. 

The interior is quite small, maybe sits 24 people along a few tables with chairs with backs and 2-bar like tables at the back and front with stools that were very uncomfortable and seemed a little unstable to me and had no backs. And, there were a few stools along the kitchen bar. 

ENTRÉES

NOTE: We shared the "small plates". They were like sharing "tapas."

CROQUETAS DE ROSTIT DE POLLO (Chicken Croquettes) 

Who doesn't like anything fried. We actually ordered 2 of these. They're normally served by two's, but our wait-person accommodated us at got us 5, since we were 5. But of course charged for the extra one.

It was served fresh out of the fryer, hot, crispy and surprisingly the chicken was very very moist. The chicken were not in pieces, but rather almost blended into a chicken paste. None-the-less, we thought they were delicious served with a spritz of lime.

CALAMAR FRIT, MAYONNAISE PIMENTÉE (Calamari with spicy mayonnaise) 

The calamaries were fried perfectly and tender. The calamari was drenched in a flour mixture with lots of black pepper, that wasn't particularly heat spicy, just spicy that sort hits your upper palate. However, with the sauce it brought the spicy levels up. But with a little squirt of juice, I thought it was a good combination. One person thought it was a bit too spicy, but she liked it nonetheless without the mayonnaise.

THON BLANC, GROSEILLES, FRAISES, AMANDE, SICHUAN (Raw tuna with, currants strawberries and a sauce of Sichuan)

We got this dish when we finished eating the calamari. I don't know if it was intentional that they be served separately or the kitchen got backed up. I have to say I liked this dish. I thought it odd with strawberries at first but it worked. They called it a Sichuan sauce, there was nothing Sichuan about it. It tasted as if it was tahini mixed with mayonnaise. I think if they used true Sichuan, it would not have worked with the combination et.al. Overall, I thought it was a very good dish. 

PLATS PRINCIPAL

RIZ DE SEICHE ET MOULES (Rice with cuttlefish and mussels) 

Three of us ordered this dish and they were first to arrive at our table. The other two had to wait. We waited, and waited for the other two to get served, but it took 2-reminders before they finally received their dishes and the 3 of us had basically finished our dishes.

Now onto the taste. Despite the mishap of their terrible timing with the plats, NOTE: in France everyone is supposed to be served at the same time, you don't begin eating until everyone is served. I'm guessing the rice was "bomba" rice or arborio rice. It was nice and round, had a nice texture, a little al-dente and not overly starchy. I thought the cuttlefish and mussels was a great combination. And the herbs and lemon gave it a nice freshness. A great dish, in its simplicity

ROUGET-GRILLÉ, AUBERGINE, ROMESCO (Red mullet with eggplant and romesco sauce)

After almost 20-minutes after 3 of us were served our rice dish and finished or almost finished, our friend's dish finally arrived. A no, no in France. 

I have to say this was my least favorite dish. Although the fish was perfectly fried, skin was crispy, flesh was moist and warm. It sat atop a cold romesco sauce, not warm, but literally cold. I was trying to figure out if this was intentional, so they could get the dish out fast, since they were so behind with their timing. The combination just didn't work. One cancelled the other which made a lukewarm mush. Personally, if the fish had been served alone, it might've been better. The cold "Romesco" sauce added no value. Personally, I think it was intended to be served warm, but they were really behind.

AGNOLOTTIS RICOTTA, ARTICHAUT  (Ravioli stuffed with ricotta and artichoke)

This was very well prepared (finally, as it arrived 15 minutes after the seiche mains were served), with great flavors and pieces of artichokes.  The ricotta in side the pasta had a marvelous flavor, and was surrounded with a buttery sauce..

NOTE: I forgot to find out what wine we had. And, we decided to forgo desserts

SUMMARY 

I'm a strong believer that the DINING experience should be about the WHOLE experience, from the time you make the reservations til the time you leave.

In summary, the food was excellent with the exception of the fish dish, but the delivery was disastrous. I understand, with a new chef and not accustomed to working with an existing staff it can make it challenging. And, we were not served any bread at all, "sacre bleu" this is France. On top of that, I felt the restaurant was way too noisy and the seating was very uncomfortable. I had to readjust my stool several times because I was afraid of falling. The bar tables are extremely narrow, making it hard to share dishes. 

Keep in mind the chef changes weekly, so you'll never know what you'll get. If you like surprises, then this is a place for you. If I'm being honest, we probably won't go back.

Net-net, this was a hard review for me, because for the most part the food was excellent, but the experience was a disaster. 

For 4-entrees, 5-plats, 2-bottles of wine, 2-glasses of red, our bill came to 280.50€ or 56€ per person

La Place de Longchamp -- Restaurant Review

 

For information, location, menu and reservation, check their website at: https://laplaceparis.fr/fr

For information, location and reservations, refer to website: https://www.double-paris.fr/

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor 

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

4.00 - Star........................................€€€.....................................2.5 bells

Friends from out-of-town who we haven't seen in a very long time were staying near "trocadero" in the 16eme. I am not familiar with that arrondissement at all. For many of us, we view the 16eme as a wealthy enclave, very residential, and mostly elderly, expats, or well established people live there . In other words, very quiet and residential. With the exception being close to "trocadero," the gateway to the Eiffel Tower. 

Net-net, I chose this restaurant because #1--it was open on Sunday (rare that good restaurants are open on Sundays),  #2--close to where our friends were staying. And,  #3--overall had very good ratings.

For Paris, it was a medium sized restaurants, very modern and very colorful. They had a lovely private alcove for a private dining experience. And, their abstract paintings were those of famous pop icons. And, there was a bar on the side of restaurant that centered the room. Lovely restaurant.

Since I didn't really peruse the menu before coming, much to my pleasant surprise, there were many asian dishes on the menu as well as "fusion-asian" (see website). It's a small menu, which I also like.

Note: I'm only going to to review the dishes I tasted....

I did not have an entrée, but I did taste JJ's. 


ENTRÉE

Cold Salmon.  The cold salmon could've passed for gravlax and/or lox. However, what differentiates it from lox, it was not as salty. It had a mild texture and definitely you could taste the salmon. The crumpet that came along with it, was a bit dry, but I guess that was what the spread was for. The caviar I believed was a lumpfish caviar, but they must've rinsed it, cause it didn't taste the salty nature of lumpfish. The spread was like a whipped cream, almost to the point of becoming butter, very light, but it tasted good with the crumpet, salmon and caviar combined. Overall, it was a good, simple dish. 

Steamed dumplings. Although I did not taste this dish, I wanted to post a photo so you can see the Asian side of the resto. My friends said they were good and tasty and came with 2-dipping sauces, one red chili spicy, the other a soy-sauce based dip. 

PLATS

Octopus. JJ had the this dish. I tasted and I thought it was excellent. Octopus can get really rubbery and nasty. But this octopus was cooked perfectly, it was tender, and it was a nice big portion. It came with roasted potatoes and greens with a simple not overpowering vinaigrette sauce. A hit for me. 

Steak and fries. I decided to have some meat, since I haven't had some in a while. My steak was cooked perfectly. I ordered "a point" -- medium rare, that's exactly how they made it. They sprinkled some garnishing salt which I loved, but to me the star of the whole dish, believe it or not, was the black pepper sauce. It was so good, rich and peppery. I could've drunk it as a meal. The only minor complaint I had was I wish the fries had been double fried. They weren't as crispy as I would've liked them, but overall an excellent dish.

DESSERTS

Bread pudding. JJ ordered the bread pudding, or what is known in french, "Pain Perdu" (lost bread). The bread was a brioche but very dense, and it was accompanied with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Although tasty, and not overly sweet, it was quite dense. But overall, it was an OK dish.

Café Gourmand. Typically in France, a "café gourmand, consists of a shot of espresso accompanied by a minimum of three petit-fours. In this case there were 4. A thick madeleine, a lemon curd, chocolate mousse, and a "pot-au-creme". I did not taste it, but was told it was very good. 2-friends shared this and they said it was perfect size, since it gave them an opportunity to taste their desserts without over-stuffing themselves.

SUMMARY

What a pleasant surprise to find a good restaurant on a Sunday for lunch in the 16eme. The restaurant was modern, colorful, cozy and the service was excellent. I didn't taste any of the Asian fusion dishes nor the Asian dishes, but overall what I tasted was good. My favorite was the octopus, whereas, my least favorite was the bread pudding, I found it quite dense and heavy, but still good/OK.

Would we come back, absolutely. And, it's not too far from us.

For 1-pastis, 1-spritz, 1-glass of chateau perron, 4-glasses of rose, 1-salmon appetizer, 1-order of steam dumplings, 1-steak, 1-salmon steak, 1-octopus, 1-Pasta with burrata, 1-cafe gourmand, and 1-bread pudding, our total came to 214€ for 4-people or 53.50€ per person.

NOTE: They did not have a "formule" so everything was a-la-carte. The staff all speak excellent english, and the menu is in english. They cater to tourists.

Le Royal Bar -- Restaurant Review

 

For information, directions and reservations, check website: https://www.leroyalbarparis.fr/

For information, location and reservations, refer to website: https://www.double-paris.fr/

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor 

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

4 - Star........................................€€.....................................2.5 bells

Our good friends live in the neighborhood and come here often and wanted to introduce us to one of their favorite neighborhood restaurant.

The Restaurant is very, very small and tight. There's about 20-tables on the inside and in warmer weather also serve on their terrace. Although small, it didn't lack in service nor ambiance. It felt lively and unpretentious, like someone's home. It felt like what a neighborhood restaurant should feel like.

As you can see from the photo, it's quite a cozy restaurant.  So reservations a definite must. 

I like the menu, it was small and easy to navigate. And, as most of you know my philosophy has always been the less on the menu, the better they can focus on the food, whereas, if it's the menu is like a novel, chances will be the food will be not so great. They also had a "formule" of the day, which some of us had.

I'm only going to review the dishes I had.

BONE MARROW. As you can tell I took the photo after I ate it. My bad, I couldn't wait. It was really good, only minor complaint is that the chef had a heavy hand on the salt, but it was delicious. 

FRIED CALAMARI. We ordered 2 for the table to share.  As many know you should not overcook calamari or it becomes rubbery. These were in fact, very nice and crunchy and not overcooked. It was accompanied by a simple mayonnaise based dip.

CODFISH. This was a delightful dish. The codfish was moist and tender. It sat atop mashed potatoes with a beurre blanc sauce. Sometimes the simplest dishes are the hardest to make, n'est-ce pas? Well this dish was excellent. 

DESSERTS. I did not have any desserts, but my friends did. Just to show some of the desserts they did have, BTW, my friends said they were delicious.

1. Baba-rum

2. Creme brulée

3. Gateau chocolat

WINE: PAY D'OC, ROSÉ. 

Gris Pays d’OC rosé is a type of rosé wine from the Pays d'Oc region in the Languedoc-Roussillon area of southern France. Here are some typical tasting notes for Gris Pays d’OC rosé:

Appearance

Color: Pale pink or salmon hue, often with hints of peach or light copper.

Aroma

Nose: Delicate and aromatic with floral notes such as rose petals and orange blossom.

Fruity Scents: Red berries like strawberries and raspberries, along with hints of peach, melon, and citrus fruits such as grapefruit and lemon zest.

Palate:

Flavor: Light and fresh, with a vibrant acidity that enhances its crispness. The fruity aromas on the nose carry through to the palate, showcasing flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and peach.

Balance: Well-balanced with a slight minerality and sometimes a touch of herbal notes, providing complexity and depth.

Finish: Clean and refreshing finish, often with a lingering hint of citrus or berry.

Overall Impression

Gris Pays d’OC rosé is typically appreciated for its elegance and subtlety, making it an ideal choice for warm weather and pairing well with a variety of light dishes, including salads, seafood, and Mediterranean cuisine. It is an excellent option for casual sipping or as an accompaniment to summer meals.

(Above information is from the winemakers)

SUMMARY

Overall I thought the food was very good. It's not a place you take a date to, but a great neighborhood restaurant with very simple and basic, but very good, food. It is small, so definitely make reservations. Would we go back, ABSOLUTELY. We love neighborhood restaurants. 

The bill is going to skew a little high because we did have a lot to drink. But for 3- glasses of bordeaux, 1-perrier, 3-glasses of rosé, 2-calamaris, 1-bone marrow, 1-glass of sancerre, 1-bottle of rosé, 1-cidre, 1-creme brule, 3-desserts of the day, 1-cafe creme, 1-margret de canard, 1-cesar salad, 1-chicken, 1-noisette and 5-formules, our bill came to 317.40€ or rounds up to 40€ a person. Pas mal quand même!

Melt -- restaurant Review

 

Check website for locations/menu https://www.meltslowsmokedbarbecue.com/deli-by-melt

NOTE: They do not take reservations.

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor 

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

2.75 - Star........................................€..................................... 2-bells

This will be more of an overview than a review, since this is more of a chain american restaurant. It's not a place to go for a romantic dinner nor even a Parisian experience. It's a restaurant you go to when you're missing good old fashioned American BBQ.

There are 5-locations in Paris. We went to the one in my neighborhood in the 15eme on Cambronne. It was created by Americans from Texas. So, technically I guess you could say it's a Texas style BBQ, but I'm not an BBQ expert. 

As you enter the restaurant you go to the counter and order from the board. You can get your BBQ in a bun or without a bun, e.g, the pulled pork or brisket of beef you can have in a bun or just plain, as I chose the latter. And, you can also order sides like coleslaw, baked beans and potato salad. All come with a BBQ sauce on the side. The BBQ sauce was very vinegary and "french" spicy. If you're a large group, we were 8, they will give you one number once all your orders are taken. Surprisingly, all our 8-orders came out at pretty much the same time.

Not only do they serve BBQ, but they also served typical American desserts like chocolate chip cookies, we had the carrot cake, with very melted ice cream.

VERDICT 

For Paris, I thought the BBQ was good. In my personal opinion, it's much better in the US and especially the southern states. What I was missing was the more smoky flavor and a saucier BBQ. The meats were tender, my pulled pork was a bit stringy, and that can be because of either it was not cooked enough or cooked too long. And, their bbq sauce tended to be more on the vinegary "wet" side. 

I would consider this a "fast-food" restaurant that you'd find in a typical mall America.  So, net-net, this is not a destination restaurant, nor will you get a Parisian experience. if you're going, you're going because you miss having BBQ

The service was EXCELLENT. Very attentive. It is American owned, after-all. 

The one thing I have to say that I really like, you pay through a QR code (placed with your number tag) It itemizes everything and you can easily split and pay the bill via online. Once each pay, it subtotals until everyone pays and the balance gets to ZERO. Love it.

Would I go back, yes if I'm missing BBQ, but I would NOT go out of my way.

Please check website for prices. 

Double -- Restaurant Review

 

For information, location and reservations, refer to website: https://www.double-paris.fr/

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor 

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

4.75 - Star........................................€€€..................................... Bomb - Bells

This restaurant was recommended by a good friend of ours who doesn't live in Paris full time, but keeps abreast of new and happening restaurants more than any of us. And, we're lucky for that. 

They bill themselves as a "Micro-Comptoir", which basically means micro-counters. This is more of a fun culinary exploratory restaurant than a restaurant for a romantic dinner. We commandeered the restaurant. We were 12, which is the maximum. Note: they have 2-seatings, at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.

There are 2-counters, one facing the chef/kitchen and the other facing the wall. It was really, really tight, the backs of our chairs were practically touching. 

A little about Chef Tsuyoshi Yamakawa. He's worked in several restaurants in Paris, including Michelin starred restaurants. His Japanese/European influence can clearly be seen in his dishes. Currently, he is heavily influenced by Italian cuisine.

We had a pre-fixe meal of 7-tasting dishes. Additionally, we were served copious amounts of focaccia, which by-the-way was delicious. And, I'm a big bread maker.

Firstly, the waiter explained how the dishes were going to be prepared and asked if anyone was allergic to certain foods. There were a few alterations to the menu.

C'EST PARTI

Fleurs de Courgettes. (Squid ink, buffalo mozzarella & Ricotta, green mayonnaise, pickles).

This had to have been one of my favorite dishes of the evening. The zucchini flowers were stuffed with the cheese and dipped into the squid ink to give it a very complex flavor profile. In its complexity was also simple in the way it was served. The chef retained the stem of the zucchini for an added texture. All around delicious. 

Tomates. (Tomatoes, roasted apricot, smoked ricotta, tomato water & kumbu).

I couldn't eat much of this dish because of my acid reflux, but I did taste it. Surprisingly, it was not sour. The chef mellowed out the sourness. They were also skinned. I think the apricot played a big part in mellowing the sourness. I loved it, although I did not eat much of it. 

Sériole. (Yellowtail, tosazu jelly, green asparagus, peas, spring onion oil.)

This was excellent. The jelly had a, not salty, but a sea flavor, which I love. Although it said peas, they were actually al-dente broad beans. And the spring onion oil brought it all together. The combinations all worked. Another excellent dish. 

Risotto. [Nduja (pork sausage), squid ink, pumpkin, citron]. 

Although good, this was my least favorite dish of the evening, although everyone else loved it. Compared to the previous dishes that we had, it had a much simpler flavor profile. It was just ordinary. I'm also not big fan of pumpkin. Interestingly, it had dollops of chili paste, very unusual for Japanese and/or Italian style cooking. 

Casarecce. [Casarecce artichoke, pistachio cream, stracciatella (pulled cheese seems similar to soft mozzarella)]

I liked this dish a lot. There were different textural components as well as complimenting flavors of the cheese and artichoke. A very good, simple dish. 

Citarra. (Spaghetti alla chitarra, vongole, peperoncino, kosho grapefruit)

I have to say this was an interesting combination. Normally, the clams would've. been served with the pasta, but my eating companion is allergic to clams so they keep them separate. Lucky me since I love clams.

The combinations were unique, but it worked. The flavor contrasts of the grapefruit, pasta just worked, in a unique hard to explain kind of way.

Homard. (Half lobster, misozuke zucchini, bisque)

And, the finale for our savory dishes was the lobster. It was delicious. The lobster was so sweet and tender and the bisque was like a rich typical lobster bisque. I loved this dish. Albeit rich, but so delicious.

NOTE: We opted not to have dessert, because at this point we were so full. 

SUMMARY 

If you're looking for an exploratory culinary experience, then this is a restaurant for you. If you are looking for fine dining or romantic place, this is not for you. The restaurant is very, very small and tight and because of its size can get extremely noisy. There are no tables, just 2-large counters in parallel, one facing the kitchen another facing the wall. The chef is very, very talented. He brought a lot of his skills from Japan of aesthetic beauty with his European training, specifically Italian. The food was overall wonderful. Would we go back, absolutely. I would have given this 5 stars (great food, service) but knocked down .25 because of the noise and difficulty to talk.

They have 2-seatings, 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. The pre-fixe 7-course dinner, excluding desert is 62€. With several bottles of wine (I lost track). Rounded up, we paid 99€ per person. Expensive, but in my book, well worth the culinary experience. Note: It is noisy, but again we went for the food and we are all friends.