The Weekly Whisk - 9/14/18

Musings from a foodie…

This past couple of weeks offered up an opportunity to spend some time in my favorite city in the world – Paris!!  As always, when I travel to the city at the center of culinary excellence, I try to visit a variety of places from hidden gems to upscale once-in-a-lifetime experiences.  On this trip, I found four very different places that you might want to consider for different reasons if you travel to Paris. 

The first consideration is for those who are trying to find a gluten-free restaurant.  Paris now has a couple of choices so my friend and I selected Noglu.  It was located in a small inner sanctum walkway on the 7th.  The inside seating offered 6 seats at a bar overlooking the grill an cooking area with three four-person tables outside on the walkway.  Intimate.  We both had a burger with totally gluten-free preparation including the mayonnaise which they make at the restaurant.  It was a good place for its purpose [* * * ] and for those in need of gluten-free, a definite restaurant to consider but the food was not notable.  Noglu – 69 Rue de Grenelle – Paris 75007 - +33 (0) 1 58 90 18 12 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Another place to definitely consider for those without dietary restriction is Le Bistrot d’a Cote Flaubert [* * * * * ].  Adjacent to the famed Restaurant Michel Rostang, the Bistrot is managed by the same restauranteur.  The service was quite wonderful and the food way more than ample.  In fact, our group of four felt that there was literally “too much” food.  It all started with a coriander mousse followed by a pate with fruit and escargot with garlic emanating from every morsel!!  What a way to start an evening of dining.  We then “shared” the Bresse chicken which was served with a perfect au jus preparation and whipped potato.  This is where the meal got a little out of hand.  The chicken kept coming even when we had satiated our desires and with no place to take the food, we kept eating 😊.  Two our number passed on dessert but being ever the consummate foodie, I had to try the chocolate souffle. It was chilled and a perfect way to end the evening.  I can see why the Michelin star chefs eat here when they come to Paris.  Good value, good food, good atmosphere and friendly service.  What more could you want?  Definitely try it: Le Bistrot d’a Cote Flaubert – 10 Rue Gustave Flaubert – Paris 75017 - +33 (0) 1 42 67 05 81 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

After a day of museums, our group of four was wandering down the streets when we realized that we had not made any reservations for dinner.  So, I pulled out trusty Dr. Google and identified the restaurants within a couple of blocks.  There were multiple choices but everyone was thumbs up for Italian.  We headed for Ristorante Costa d’Amalfi [Service = * / Food = * * * * ] which was only a very short distance from the corner where we were standing.  We arrived to a very small restaurant of six tables of four each in a very cozy place.  Simone was the chef (I apologize – I did not get his full name) and he opened the place in 2016.  The food was quite good.  The waitress was horrible at best.  And, it wasn’t the language barrier that got in the way.  Rather, it was the unorganized and disorderly approach to managing the whole dining experience.  I must say that the tagliatelle with porcini and prosciutto was exceptional as well as the saltimbocca served with fresh sage and a perfect sauce.  I was truly impressed.  But, the service was less than lousy.  In fact, it was so bad that it precipitated an “Italian discussion” in the open kitchen right behind our table between the chef and the waitress.  We weren’t sure who won the discussion but the both went about their business.  Regardless, the next time you are in Paris, consider this place.  If the waitress has not been replaced, enjoy the “discussions” between the chef and his help.  It’s sort of like having Italy in Paris. Ristorante Cost d’Amalfi – 65 Rue de l’Universite – Paris 75007 - +33 (0) 1 45 56 03 71 – No email reservations available

 Finally, for a great Parisian dining experience you will want to consider Le Dome [ * * * * *] .  It is a seafood place of distinction.  I don’t know where to start.  It was all excellent and a bit pricey – but worth it.  Everyone picked their favorite seafood and we discussed global warming and the changing patterns of fishing over a wonderful meal.  The pate with fig was over-the-top wonderful for starters and we were off and running.  We then moved on to the main course.  I’m a huge fan of Dover Sole Meuniere and was not disappointed.  Located in the Montparnasse area, you should definitely try it for one of the penultimate Parisian dining experiences.  Restaurant Le Dome – 108 Boulevard du Montparnasse – Paris 75014 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - +33 (0) 1 43 35 25 81

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