Comments for Paris by Mouth

Comment on Our Guide to Paris: Bigarrade by La Tache 1962

La Tache 1962 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:28:35 +0000

Not in 2012, but I promised to do so when they have the Coutume coffee. Which they will be tasting monday I hear, my return should be soon I presume. Surely one of the resto in Paris of great spirit, surely not a “staged restaurant” like so many everywhere.

Comment on Our Guide to Paris: Bigarrade by Meg

Meg — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:59:28 +0000

You make a compelling case, my dear Tache. Have you been back to l’Astrance lately? It’s been ages since I read anything about it.

Comment on Restaurant Radar: Paris food news & reviews by Meg from Paris by Mouth

Meg from Paris by Mouth — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:47:29 +0000

Dear GP,

Thanks for taking the time to respond, and I will gladly accept your word when you tell us that you pay for your meals. I have repeatedly heard rumors to the contrary, but am delighted to learn that you’re not one of those critics who never expects to receive a bill.

Respectfully,
MZ

Comment on Restaurant Radar: Paris food news & reviews by Gilles Pudlowski

Gilles Pudlowski — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:32:36 +0000

Sorry… for you, but I’have payed the bill at the marvelous Albion and I was guested by a friend at Fish. But, unfortunately for you, it doesn’t change anything about what I think about those places…
Best regards and bon appétiit,
GP

Comment on Our Guide to Paris: A la Biche au Bois by Steve Zimmerman

Steve Zimmerman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:15:36 +0000

I’m commenting on my own comment. We returned to Paris in Sept. 2011, dined at Biche twice. Still the same wonderful food at very reasonable prices. Bertrand & Celine now have a daughter who one of the waiters characterized as “a future boss”. A totally great place. The staff works smoothly & efficiently.

We plan a Paris return Sept. 2012 & of course, Biche will be on our “must dine” list.

Comment on Our Guide to Paris: Bigarrade by La Tache 1962

La Tache 1962 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:05:45 +0000

I would say Pascal Barbot was obviously the strong influence on Pele’s cuisine, and Christophe had made a coherent style on Barbot IMO. That being said the highs at l’Astrance are higher as well as the lows. Not sure but maybe the “surprise” menu influence was really pushed along in Paris by Barbot 10 years ago when they opened, when daniel rose was still in art school or what ever. The highs and lows at la Bigarrade were not as extreme, and that being said there were still wtf? moments. At l’Astrance for the $ you usually have a couple of WTF? moments as well just more pronounced for the $.

Comment on Our Guide to Paris: Bigarrade by Meg

Meg — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:32:28 +0000

Well, I didn’t make the comment (that Bigarrade was the new Spring), and I’m not a great fan of “X is the new Y” comparisons in general, but it’s hardly a leap to talk about Daniel Rose’s influence at a time (4 years ago) when open kitchens and improvisational no-choice menus were relatively rare.

I wish Pele luck with whatever comes next. I know many people who loved this restaurant, even if I myself found it to be maddenly incoherent.

Comment on Our Guide to Paris: Bigarrade by La Tache 1962

La Tache 1962 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:21:19 +0000

When la Bigarrade first opened Christophe Rohat recommended Pele. One could say it is more like a petit l’Astrance cuisine-wise with actually a more cohesive menu usually. One could also forgive somewhat more given the extremely attractive menu pricing vs ingredient quality. Probably all D Rose had as input maybe was about the logistics of an open kitchen, which was probably a bit different coming from the Royal Monceau at the time of opening. As we know “consulting” is a very very general wide open definition. Pele also is not a “thermal-regulator cook” he works hard a la minute prep and cooking. He will do something new after a good long vacation with coffee and press.

Comment on Our Guide to Paris: La Cantine du Troquet Dupleix by Randy de Paris

Randy de Paris — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:53:54 +0000

We have a friend from US visiting, and the only time she was available for dinner was Sunday night. And, as we ex-pats know, Sunday nights can be a challenge, finding a good restaurant, unless you settle for a God awful tourist restaurant. So, I went to my “go to” place for a recommendation “PBM” and found this restaurant and John’s review, and it’s in our neighborhood.

It’s definitely a neighborhood restaurant. One out of six of us thought the food average, while five of us thought the food was excellent. It was a good deal for the money. With apéros, 3-courses, and 2-bottle of house wines at 20€ each, we paid 44€ a person.

It has only been open for a little more than a week, considering this, they’re doing an excellent job. I’m confident they’ll work out some of the kinks, especially their service.

We all agreed we would definitely go back, and for me I’d go back just for the shrimps. It was coated in a nice flavorful oil, not spicy. Although it was “à leur façon” (their way), my guess is that it was quickly pan sautéed in “piment d’espelette” a typical basque pepper used in that area. I would probably not recommend going on a Sunday night, since they were out of ALOT of dishes, since week-end deliveries are non-existent, so your choices will be limited.

Oh, by the way, they are open for lunch. In fact, my good friend Marie went yesterday for lunch, and again today with another friend to try the dishes that were not available last Sunday. She told me yesterday’s lunch was also excellent!

Chapeau to Chef Christian Etchebes!

Comment on Our Guide to Paris: Bigarrade by Meg

Meg — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:05:57 +0000

Can’t speak for the author (John Talbott) who wrote that, but people were likening it to Spring when it opened because it had an open kitchen, a no-choice tasting menu, and because Daniel Rose consulted on the project.