Rosemarie -- restaurant Review

 

For address, reservations, directions see website: https://www.rosemariebistrotparis.com/en/

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+)

4.5 - stars ...................€€................................. 2-🔔 

I’m back. After six months in the U.S. from my winter hajj—where everything is bigger, including the portions—I’m ready to get back to what Paris does best: eating well, and portions are perfect.

This time, I took a recommendation from my friend Sarah, who always seems to know where to go before the rest of us catch on. The restaurant is in the 7ème, just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower—so yes, you’re in postcard territory. 

From the outside, it’s very low-key. Honestly, you could walk right past it if you weren’t seeing the colorful awning, and paying attention (which I almost did). Inside, same story—simple, no fuss. It seats about 44 people, but let’s just say you get very cozy with your neighbors, very typically Parisian, since space is a premium. This is not a tourist destination, as far as I could tell. I heard only french spoken, except us. 

I chatted with the owner, the restaurant is named after her grandmother, her husband is the chef, and she runs the dining room. A true family operation, which immediately makes you relax—you can tell it’s personal.

This is exactly the kind of place I love. No pretense, no overthinking, just really honest, home-style food. As you enter you see the main focus, the bar and hanging on a blackboard was the prix-fixe menu of the day. This is the kind of restaurant where you settle in, forget the time, and maybe leave already planning your next visit.

Three of us opted for the prix-fixe menu whereas JJ ordered just a "plat", on the menu. 

ENTRÉE

Crispy shrimp in citrus sauce. 

The crispy shrimp arrived as the kind of opener that quietly sets expectations high—and then smugly meets them. Generously sized, each shrimp was wrapped in a delicate, golden shell that shattered on cue, as if it had been waiting all evening for that exact moment.

The citrus sauce leaned on the tart, but stopped short of making you wince—more of a bright nudge than a slap. It played especially well with the fried wrapper, cutting through the richness just enough to keep things interesting. And then, just when you thought you had it figured out, little pops of mango appeared—sweet, subtle, and a great combination.

All in all, a strong start to the meal—thoughtful, balanced, and just clever enough to make you feel like you chose well.

PLAT PRINCIPAL

Lacquered pork ribs with pureed potatoes.

I love pork ribs, any style, any size, I’m in. But before this dish came out, I had to give our friend a quick heads-up: Parisian ribs are not the big, messy, fall-apart-in-your-hands situation we’re used to in the U.S. These tend to be a bit more… well-refined

And yes, when they arrived, they looked small.  Almost like ribs that went to finishing school.

But don’t let the size fool you, these little guys were packed with flavor. The meat was super tender, basically falling off the bone with zero effort. Honestly, I’m convinced they cook them this way so you can eat ribs with a knife and fork and the french wouldn't have to use their fingers, hence, no sticky fingers, no sauce on your face—very French, or for that matter europeans.

Flavor-wise, they were slightly sweet, a little rich, and surprisingly meaty for something that looked so modest at first glance. And the mashed potatoes? Smooth, velvety, and exactly what you want next to ribs, like they were made for each other.

All in all, a really enjoyable main. Small ribs, big payoff.

Cod, mousseline and tender Carrots, Shellfish Emulsion

JJ ordered this as his only course. This dish is a perfect example of how the French make simplicity feel a little bit luxurious without trying too hard.

The cod (dos de cabillaud) was beautifully cooked—tender, and just firm enough to hold its shape without falling apart the second your fork touched it. It had that clean, delicate flavor that lets you know the quality is doing most of the talking.

But what really stood out were the vegetables. The carrots were soft and naturally sweet, cooked to that ideal point where they still have structure but practically melt when you bite into them and a wonderful mousseline. The rest of the vegetables such as the charred cabbage, leeks and onions followed suit—each one perfectly done, no mushiness, no undercooking, just spot-on.

Then there’s the shellfish foam, which sounds fancy (and yes, it is), but it didn’t overpower anything. It added a light, slightly briny richness that tied everything together without stealing the show.

All together, it’s one of those dishes that feels refined but not fussy—just really well-executed cooking where every element knows its role and plays it well.

DESSERTS

Chocolate & Coffee Crémeux, Crème Anglaise

I don’t usually order dessert, but a new favorite spot deserves a little celebration.

The Chocolate & Coffee Crémeux was light and airy, almost like a whipped ganache that somehow didn’t feel heavy (a small miracle). The crème anglaise kept things balanced—not sweet—while the tuile added a nice little crunch.

Simple, well done, and gone faster than I’d like to admit.

Chocolate tart with vanilla whipped cream. 

JJ ordered this one, and to be fair, he was very happy with his decision. I, on the other hand, found it leaning a bit too into sugar spike.

Think classic chocolate on chocolate: a rich ganache perched atop a chocolate crust, with very little intention of holding back. It’s indulgent, no question, but for my palate, it crossed into “maybe a few bites are enough” territory. Thankfully, a side of whipped cream came to the rescue, softening things just enough to keep it enjoyable.

My least favorite of the meal, but that says more about my sweet tolerance than the dessert itself. If you’re a chocolate lover who believes more is more, this one will absolutely be your moment.

SUMMARY 

This is exactly the kind of place that reminds you why you go out to eat in Paris in the first place. It’s a true, traditional French restaurant, unpretentious, a little tight on space, full of personality, and clearly run with care. Nothing feels manufactured or overly polished, and that’s precisely the charm. You’re not in some sterile, perfectly lit dining room that could be anywhere, you’re here, in Paris, surrounded by character, history, and honest cooking. It’s the kind of spot that feels real, and all the better for it. Would we return? ABSOLUTELY. 

We did not order any wines. With 3-prixe-fixed menus at 36€ each, 1-plat at 32€, 2-cokes at 12€ and 2 sparkling waters at 10€, and a non-alcoholic beer at 8€ our bill came to 170€, 42.50€ each, this was a great price and deal.