Elle M.
Yelp
We had a lot of meals in Paris (I mean really, a LOT) and the food here was definitely a standout. Maybe it's because this is where we ate the most amount of really classically French food- but I think it's probably just because the food here was amazing.
The amuse bouche looks sort of like a salmon mousse, but you quickly realize that it's tomato with a tiny dot of thick and syrupy balsamic on top. The taste is so absolutely tomato that it makes you feel like you're eating a bowl of bisque when in fact, this mousse simply dissolves as soon as it hits your tongue.
We started with the foie gras creme brulee, the escargot and the fish soup. The foie gras creme brulee is an absolute marvel. The sweet, crisp sugar is so lovely with the creamy, rich foie gras. A sprinkle of rock salt sends the flavors straight through the roof. The fish soup is fragrant and tastes of the sea without being fishy, even though it has nice chunks of fish swimming throughout. The escargot was actually my favorite. The green, garlicky mixture (which I'm pretty sure was spinach) was so nice on the plump, chewy little snails. I don't care what anybody says; snails = yum!
For my main I ordered the duck breast, which was enormous and came with a little gratin of potatoes and some caramelized apple slices. The skin was so beautifully brown and crispy I started salivating as soon as I laid eyes on it. The interior was perfectly rare, just as I requested. And the sauce was plentiful and perfect for the duck and the apples.
My sister ordered frog legs done with a preparation of citrus, capers, croutons and herbs- my god were they good. Fortunately for me, she hit a mental "I'm eating frog" block about 2/3 of the way through her dinner, so my brother in law and I got to eat a good amount of them. He ordered the cod, which disappeared so quickly I didn't even have a chance to have a good look at it. I assume it was satisfactory.
I ordered the apple clafoutis for dessert, and it did not disappoint. Light and custardy, it came with a raspberry sorbet which was served in a separate little dish. I really appreciated that because I hate when people make a raspberry coulis and drench the entire dessert with it. This was a lovely palate cleanser and also complimented the clafoutis.
The decor and ambiance are sort of shabby chic eclectic- a mixture of random pots, pans, knicknacks, musical instruments and a whole lot of frog themed items cover the walls and hang from the ceiling. Really the quintessential French bistro.
I can't wait to go back.