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+)
3.75 - star ...........................€€€€.......................................... 1-🔔
(Note: price increased due to our wine consumption)
I'm back from my long winter hajj to the US. After experiencing a heart attack and undergoing open-heart surgery—not to mention the jet lag—it took me some time to feel ready to go out for a proper meal again. So, this marks my first restaurant review of the season: Rosemarie's Bistro in the 7ème.
We met up with some of our fellow “snowbird” friends—those on the same rhythm of winters in Palm Springs and summers in Paris—as well as our dear friend Sarah and a few others we met during a mini cruise along the Croatian coast. It made for a lovely little reunion.
The restaurant itself is nothing particularly remarkable, but it does have one standout feature: large sliding doors that open wide. On a warm spring evening, that made for a very pleasant and comfortable dining experience.
They offered both a prix-fixe menu and à la carte options. I’ll be reviewing the dishes I chose from the menu.
No amuse bouche.
I wanted something very simple, so I ordered the clams, grilled over an open flame with just parmesan and olive oil. It was a very simple dish, but a pleasant way to start the meal. The preparation reminded me a bit of escargot—though without the indulgent pool of oil to dip your bread into. It was a touch too salty for my taste, but that may be due to my lowered salt tolerance since going on a salt-free diet following my recent heart surgery.
White Asparagus
Although I didn’t order this dish, a friend generously offered me a taste—and I really enjoyed it. The white asparagus was garnished with garbanzo beans and fresh dill, and dressed in a vinaigrette that leaned more toward oil than vinegar. It worked, especially for bread-dipping, though I personally would’ve preferred a bit more acidity to balance the flavors. Still, overall, it was a very good dish.
This was my favorite dish of the evening, though it was slightly oily. The pigeon was served with its liver and lungs, alongside green asparagus, arugula, and large, sweet peas. I requested it medium rare, but it arrived rare—which I didn’t mind at all, as it was absolutely delicious.
The meat was tender and flavorful, though the chef was a little heavy-handed with the finishing oil. I don’t mind a bit of richness, but this bordered on excess. That said, the flavors more than made up for it.
St. Nectaire cheese. For desert, JJ and I split the cheese course. As I always say, you can't go wrong with cheese in France. It's a matter of what you prefer. And, since there are 800+ varieties you can get whatever your heart desires.
Tasting Notes: Chablis – Domaine Servin, Grand Vin de Bourgogne
This Chablis from Domaine Servin is a classic expression of the region—elegant, crisp, and mineral-driven. On the nose, it opens with delicate aromas of green apple, lemon zest, white flowers, and a distinct flinty minerality typical of the Kimmeridgian soils of Chablis.
On the palate, it's taut and focused, with a bright acidity that cuts through the wine’s subtle creaminess. Flavors of citrus, green pear, and a hint of white peach are layered over a chalky, saline backbone. The finish is clean and persistent, leaving a lingering note of wet stone and citrus peel.
This wine pairs beautifully with shellfish, oysters, or lightly grilled fish—anything that complements its purity and minerality.
Tasting Notes: Château Tour des Gendres – La Gloire de Mon Père
Bergerac, Southwest France
This wine, poetically named La Gloire de Mon Père (“The Glory of My Father”), is a soulful expression from Château Tour des Gendres in Bergerac. A blend of predominantly Merlot with Malbec and sometimes Cabernet Franc, it strikes a beautiful balance between structure and elegance.
On the nose, it offers generous aromas of ripe black cherries, plums, and cassis, layered with notes of tobacco, dried herbs, and a hint of cedar. There’s also a subtle earthiness—almost truffle-like—that adds depth and complexity.
The palate is supple yet firm, with velvety tannins and a fine-grained structure. Flavors of dark berries, licorice, and graphite unfold with a gentle warmth. There’s a touch of spice—black pepper and clove—that lingers on the long, savory finish.
This is a characterful wine, both rustic and refined, perfect with duck confit, grilled lamb, or a hearty mushroom risotto.
SUMMARY
Rosemarie’s Bistro is a good restaurant with food that’s above average. If I had one piece of advice, it would be to improve their service timing. For the entrées, JJ’s appetizer arrived much later than the others, forcing us to tell our guests to begin eating without him—something that’s generally considered rude in French dining. Then, when the mains were served, it was my turn to be left waiting. I had to ask if my dish had been forgotten, and again encouraged everyone to start without me. That kind of timing is simply not acceptable in Paris, aside from perhaps a casual Chinese spot.
As mentioned, the food itself was good, but they do have a heavy hand with the oil. My dish was practically floating in it. Still, I would return. The flavors were solid, and I hope that with a little fine-tuning—particularly in pacing and oil use—they can become something truly special.
Our bill came to €700 for For 3 plats = €390, 1 supplementary entree for = €18, 5 asparagus = €80, 1 beer= €6, 1 Perrier = €5, 1 evian = €6, 1 pastis = €7, 3 menu = €135, 2 scallops = €68, 1 pigeon = €45, 1 Bergerac wine = €50, 3 chablis = €162, 2 profiteroles = €28
On average we spent close to €80/Person.
Sounds delightful. For point of reference, how many people actually had dinner for the total of E700?
ReplyDelete€80 per person
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