Le Christine -- Restaurant Review

 

1 Rue Christine, 75006, Paris

General information, menu, directions, reservations: https://lechristine.becsparisiens.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...............................€€€€..................................... 4 🔔

This is my last review in Paris before I return to the US and hibernate for the winter, and will not resume until I return April 2025. And, what a way to end. We had some friends from California and I decided on this restaurant because it was close to where they were staying and it also had excellent reviews. From the outside it looks very small, but in actuality, the restaurant extends to the back with a little see through to the kitchen. 

It's a cozy restaurant, it can get loud at times. I would say about 90% of the customers were foreigners from all over. So, I was taken aback by not seeing more french people and I became suspicious.

You can order a-la-carte or the prix-fixe dinners. But it appears to be a better deal to order the prix-fixe. The 5-course was €69 or 6-courses for €95. You can also order a wine pairing for an additional price. There were 4 of us and we opted for the 5-course dinner and in addition a cheese course, not included in the prix-fixe, so 6-courses all together.

I'm not sure if this was a course or not, but we were given this bread (1 slice each, like a soft garlic bread) with a specialty butter with paprika. As soon as we finished they whisked it away but left the butter.. 

Nettle refresher with fennel gel. 

Our wait-person told us this was a palate cleanser? I found this odd since we really didn't have anything to cleanse other than the bread. I think this would've been better served if it was served in between the entrée and the plat or even after the plat. With that said it was very citrusy, and it was refreshing. Although it was tart, there were bursts of sweet. Overall, a good dish, but a misplaced order in the large scheme of the many courses we had. 

Artichauts Camus, sapin, tempura de bonite séchée, huile de sésame, mouron et zeste de citron vert (artichokes hearts, dried bonito tempura, sesame oil, chickweed and lime zest)

Texturally, I think it was a great combination. The artichoke hearts were soft and creamy whereas the bonito flakes gave it a nice crunch. It was a simple dish that looked complicated, but nice basic flavors.

Cabillaud de St Guénolé confit, céleri-rave rôti, sauce cresson et gingembre, citron noir, gel de ponzu (Confit St Guénolé cod, roasted celeriac, watercress and ginger sauce, black lemon, ponzu gel)
 

The cod was perfectly cooked, extremely moist. The celeriac came 2-ways, cubed as well as a purée  used as a sauce. The Watercress sauce was a nice accompaniment and did not overwhelm the delicate way the cod was cooked. Overall, a very good dish.

Volaille noir des Dombes, girolles au vin jaune, artichaut poivrade et huile d’estragon (Black poultry from Dombes, chanterelles in yellow wine, artichoke with pepper and tarragon oil)

The chicken was perfectly cooked. Very, very moist. I am not a fan of foam, so the sauce that came with it (chanterelle in wine) was not my favorite. The lettuce for garnished could've been replaced with something more typical, eg haricot vert. The taste and textures were all over the board for me, but overall a good dish, but not outstanding. 

Assiette de fromages du moment (Cheese plate) 

This did not come with the prix-fixe meal. Like I always say, you can't go wrong with cheese in France. We had the Bleue, St. Marcellin, Compte, and Chevre. My favorite was the bleue.

Ganache gianduja, mousse au grand Marnier, glace vanille et café, grué de cacao (Gianduja ganache, Grand Marnier mousse, vanilla and coffee ice cream, cocoa nibs)

I don't normally eat desserts, but decided it's my last "nice" dinner in Paris so I broke down and had some. I have to say, I'm glad I did. The dessert was so light and tasteful. Great ending to a nice meal. The ganache was light and the chocolate nibs gave it a nice crunch. Overall, an excellent dessert. 

MIGNARDISE (A bite-sized dessert sometimes served at the end of a meal)

Typically served as a parting snack in France, a tid-bit. It was a french version of chocolate chip cookies. It was good.

Domaine des Clochers, Allegory 2021 Saumur Blanc

A white wine from the Loire Valley, typically made from Chenin Blanc grapes:

Appearance: Pale gold with greenish reflections, clear and bright.

Aroma: The nose is vibrant and aromatic, offering notes of white flowers (honeysuckle, jasmine), citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit), and orchard fruits like green apple and pear. Subtle minerality and hints of honey and wet stone are present, reflecting the terroir.

Palate: On the palate, it is fresh and lively, with a zesty acidity that lifts the flavors. The citrus and green apple notes are prominent, along with flavors of quince, melon, and a touch of almond. There is also a characteristic minerality, giving the wine a crisp, clean texture.

Finish: The finish is long and refreshing, with lingering notes of citrus zest, floral nuances, and a slightly chalky minerality.

SUMMARY

Le Christine is an expensive restaurant and not for everyone. But it's definitely a tasting experience of different flavors, but a cohesive theme. Only complaint I have is in the order of courses, the palate cleanser should've definitely served much later, preferably in the middle of the courses.

My favorite was the artichoke, I'm partial to artichokes.

I think it's more of a tourist restaurant rather than a local neighborhood restaurant. Is it a romantic restaurant? NO. The restaurant is cozy, albeit can be very noisy. They have an army of servers, and they even have a resident sommelier, who was very well versed. Net-net the service was excellent. Very slow paced. Our dinner was 3 1/2 hours long, which I enjoyed.

Overall the food was very good and nicely presented,  but none of the dishes WOW'd me nor JJ. For the price point, there should've been some WOW moments. Would I go back, probably for lunch since it's less expensive. 

For 4-prix-fixe meals at €69 each=276, 2-bottles of perrier €10 each) , a bottle of wine (€108), 2 cheese plates (€38 each) and 1-glass of red = €29 our total came to €467 or divided by 4-people = €116.75.

Restaurant Review -- NESSIA

 

6, rue Charles François Dupuis, 75003 Paris 

+339 73 89 60 17

Website: https://www.restaurantnessia.com/

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+)

4.25- Star...............................€€..................................... 4 🔔

I was just getting over a cold, so I wasn't sure if my taste buds were 100% there. Fortunately, I had friends who I went to lunch with and they were able to confirm what I tasted.

I have friends visiting, one couple use to live in this same neighborhood where we had lunch. I had heard of the restaurant and saw they had good reviews, so 4 of us decided we should give it a try. 

The restaurant is north of "le Marais", close to "Republique"

It's a relatively small restaurant with the focus being the bar. My guess would be a restaurant of maybe 24-30 people. Because it is a small restaurant, the table are very tightly together and we had to move our table forward a bit, to allow people behind me to pass. But this is typical of Paris, so it's more of an observation than a criticism

ENTRÉE

We all shared the following entrees:

1.  Crispy arancini with saffron and thyme-smoked mozzarella, tarragon condiment -- (top center photo)

This was quite a surprise, and a good surprise. I had just returned from Italy and had had some arancini; however, I think these were better than the ones I had in Italy. First of all it was very, very cheesy, pulling apart kind of cheesy. It was very yellow in color, although they did not state that it had turmeric, I'm assuming they got it yellow with that spice. Crunchy, smooth with stretchy cheese, and interesting also a smoky flavor, which brought it to another level, how can you go wrong. So it was a hit for all of us. 


2.  Roasted cauliflower with honey and smoked paprika, chickpea hummus with black sesame tahini and soft brioche bun -- (lower center photo).

This was my favorite entreé of all. I'm a little biased because I love cauliflower in all its forms. The cauliflower was roasted perfectly. Black is never an attractive color for food, but the cauliflower sat atop black hummus. The flavor combination was perfect. I had never had black hummus before. It's basic hummus with powderized black sesame seeds. You'd think a heavy vegetable with a heavy bean (garbanzo) hummus would make the dish heavy, but it worked. Overall delicious.


3.  Aberdeen IGP Scottish Angus beef flank steak from Mcintosh Donald Farm braised on a lava stone barbecue -- (upper right corner photo).

I originally thought when we ordered this it would be sliced thin like an appetizer, but it was actually a chunk of beef. So we decided that it should be someone's main meal. So a friend who didn't order a main plat got this dish. He said was delicious. 

Additionally, we were served fries.

PLATS PRINCIPAL 

Pan-fried lamb confit, yellow curry gratin dauphinois, smoked pumpkin cream, reduced lamb jus

My first bite of the lamb took me by surprise. I found it extremely salty. So not trusting my taste buds because I just got over a cold, others had it and they said it was salty, but not unpleasant. After a few more bites, maybe because I was adjusting to the salt levels, I found the lamb very tender and actually delicious. The dauphinois was perfect, curry flavor was more of a hint. The pumpkin was sweet which offset some of the saltiness of the lamb and the jus was a plus. I started enjoying the dish after I got over what I perceived to be salty.

SUMMARY 

This restaurant is in a hot, happening place in north of "le Marais" closer to "Republique". We all thought the appetizers were great, and they had quite a varied offering on the menu. 

Interestingly, they were out of their plat of the day, which was a burrata eggplant dish, but we were happy with the lamb choice. Overall, the meal was very, very good. One drawback it is a small restaurant with tables tightly fitted in, and it became quite noisy and made conversations quite difficult. It is definitely not a place for a romantic meal, but a great place to go with friends and have a good, fun meal. They had a high school busboy, so I don't fault him, but they do need to train him more. He served our main dishes while our entrée plates had yet to be cleared. But I'm overlooking this, he wasn't more than 16-years old.

With 3-entreés, 3-mains, 3-coffees, 1-glass of wine, 1-bottle of water, and 1 coke our bill came to €145.60 or €36.40 per person. VERY REASONABLE!

Would we go back, absolutely.

Restaurant Review -- Aux 2K

 

5 Rue Louise-Émilie de la Tour d'Auvergne, 75009 Paris

For reservations and directions, website: https://aux2k.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+)

4.25- Star...............................€€€..................................... 4 🔔

Friends from Nice were in town and he selected this restaurant, cause he had heard about it from the Michelin guide. It's in the 9eme and a very cute homey restaurant, but quite small. 

The restaurant is run by 2-women chefs. One of french/Italian origin and the other Japanese. So their menu was a fusion of both and mixing cultural food differences is becoming the norm in Paris. 

The restaurant had only seating for 20 people. It was quite tight, but homey. Because it was so small it tended to be quite noisy and our voices bounced off the walls, so made it difficult to hear at times. 


NOTE: I'm only reviewing the dishes that I had, whereas JJ will describe his dessert. 

Gougères -- As an amuse bouche we got the cheese gougères.  Nothing out of the ordinary but a good staple first start.

Pork cromesquis, green curry, galangal, coconut, shiso --  Please note, I forgot to take a photo, so this photo of our entrée is from their website. They were croquettes, and this is where the Asian flavors were more pronounced. Ours were topped with Chiffonade of seaweed (simpler than the photo). I don't think it really added to the dish, but more to the presentation. 

The dish was excellent. My actual favorite of the night. The pork filling was encased with a creamy like texture to bind it, but was soft rather than firm. It had a bit of kick to it from the green curry and galangal, but was not overwhelming. Overall they just look like ordinary croquettes, but the surprise was in the tasting. Excellent! 

Roasted pigeon, smoked eel, shallots confit, salmis sauce -- If you consider pigeon meat, then this is like a "surf & turf". The dish was topped with 2 large battered fried shallots. Overall the presentation and composition of the dish was excellent. The eels were enormous. I don't think I've ever had eels that large. Overall the taste profile, the pigeon was perfectly roasted and the meat was extremely moist. The eel tasted more like a softer "monk" fish than eel, but it was delicious none-the-less. Overall, another excellent dish.

Rice pudding banana and caramel 

This was a quite rich dish, creatively done.  Placed on top of a crunchy phyllo-like wafer the 'lait' was very creamy (looked like ice cream) and the rice was buried inside.  The banana and caramel gave it a sweet but not overwhelming sweet taste.  Very delicious.

SUMMARY 

I'm glad our friends recommended this restaurant. It is a small restaurant and you definitely need to make reservations. The presentations were fantastic, as an example one of our friends ordered the veal.

The veal was beautifully presented. It wouldn't be fair for me to review since I only tasted a little piece of it. But from what I had it was delicious. So this dish not only presented beautifully, but tasted good. 

My favorite was the pork croquette entrée, but the plat principal was also excellent. And, Jack loved the dessert.

There are 2-issues that you have to be aware of, because it is small and tables are tight, it can get difficult to hear and talk. So, this is not a place for a romantic meal.

And, this is more my pet peeve, they turn tables. I suppose to turn a profit they would need to, especially with only 20 tables, but then again that doesn't mean I have to like it. As most Parisians, we like long leisurely meals. Our reservations were at 7 pm, with the next one at 9 pm. However, I'm told if you make reservations for e.g., 8 pm or later, there is no seating after yours. BTW, I did not feel rushed with our 7 pm reservations. 

I would've rated it at 4.5, but the loud noise, I lowered the rating slightly. Would I go back, absolutely, but I would probably do lunch or the last dinner seating at 8:30 pm or 9 pm.

For three pre-fixe menus @€45 each, 1 ala carte @ €45, 1-bottled water, 2 bourgogne blanc, 1-pastis, 1-americano, 1-spirtz royale, 2-Chinon our bill came to €283 or €70.75 per person.

Les Fines Lames -- Restaurant Review

35 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris
For info, making reservations, directions and checking out menu, they do not have a website, but all that information can be found at: https://www.thefork.fr/restaurant/les-fines-lames-r395069#booking=

 

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+)

3 - Star........................................€€..................................... 4 if seated outside

I'm back in town (La Rentrée) from our August break and have begun reviewing restaurants again. Met some friends visiting Paris for the Paralympics. We opted for lunch in Montmartre since that's where our friends were staying. It's the first neighborhood we lived in when we moved to Paris in 2008, so the arrondissement has a lot of sentimental meaning for us. We avoided Place de Tertre, for the obvious reason that it's very, very touristy. But I chose a restaurant on Rue Lepic, a main street going up to the heart of Montmartre.  It was a beautiful day so we sat outside. Lovely, but noisy. The traffic, including buses drove by us and not only could we hear them, but felt the rumbling of the streets, oh well.

The restaurant is basically a steak restaurant. I'm just going to review what I had, because basically we all had different variations of steak.

ENTRÉE

Pesto maison et pain à l'ail Burratina fraîch. 

A nice fresh tomato and lettuce salad with a very creamy burrata cheese and a toast of pesto. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a good, average first starter. 

Entrecôte Angus Avec accompagnement et 1 sauce au choix

Ribeye steak with several different accompaniments like salad, fries or vegetables. I have to say the steak was cook to my liking, I ordered à point (medium rare) and that's how it came out. I also ordered a blue cheese sauce which is not common in Paris. It was a lot lighter in flavor than you would get in US, but good none-the-less.

Overall, a very good steak. 

We ordered a Domaine Auchere Sancerre. This wine was excellent. In fact, I'm a bit biased, I love sancerres. I've never had a bad sancerre. And, it was perfect for the warm weather. 

NOTES:

Domaine Auchere Sancerre is a renowned wine from the Sancerre region in the Loire Valley, France, made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Below are the typical tasting notes for this wine:

Color: Pale straw yellow with hints of green, reflecting its youth and freshness.

Clarity: Brilliant and clear, often with a slight shimmer.

Nose (Aroma):

Primary Aromas: The bouquet is expressive, with pronounced citrus notes such as lemon and grapefruit.

Palate:

Acidity: The wine is crisp and refreshing, with vibrant acidity that balances the fruitiness.

Flavor Profile: On the palate, it is typically dry, with flavors echoing the citrus and green apple from the nose. There's also a noticeable minerality that gives the wine a clean, precise finish.

Body: Light to medium-bodied, with a smooth, elegant texture.

Finish: The finish is long and zesty, often with a lingering note of citrus and a touch of salinity.

Connoisseurs Impression:

Domaine Auchere Sancerre is a quintessential expression of Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre. It's known for its precision, freshness, and the balance between fruit and minerality, making it a go-to wine for lovers of crisp, aromatic whites.


The others shared dessert, which I did not have. Steak is very filling for me.

SUMMARY 

This was basically a steakhouse, albeit the steaks are sourced, grass fed and are not laden with hormones etc. With that said I would suggest you order your steaks medium rare "à point". Otherwise it will be tough. You have your basic accompaniments of fries, salads, and even different sauces. 

This is not a WOW me kind of restaurant, but an honest steakhouse that won't break the bank. And, service was great. 

One complaint I have about the restaurant, the outdoor sitting is right next to "Rue Lepic", which is a main thoroughfare to Sacre Cœur and Place de Tertre. So when cars and buses go up the street, it will be loud and you will feel the motion, not to mention smelling the exhaust, so this can be a turn-off for some. 

I'd like to break out the prices, but our friends secretly paid for our meal. But it is affordable. Please check their menu for prices. 

Would we go back, yes, especially if I'm in the neighborhood and craving meat and potatoes. 

Here's a guide to ordering steaks in France.

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