ella l.
Yelp
We were in Paris for a few weeks, and ate at Tricotin 2 (just past the distinctive Chinatown McDonalds) almost every day. The frog legs (3 Chinese styles--ginger scallion, black bean, and salt&pepper, around 10 frog legs for 7.50 Euros) and roast duck, and duck noodle (choice of noodle, we chose Vietnamese rice noodles served with bean sprouts like Pho) were outstanding, at very reasonable prices. (The roast duck and roast duck noodle were around 7 Euros each.)
Tricotin 2 has a good specialty chef for every sector of the menu. The fare offered is Chinese, Vietnamese, and Cambodian. The coconut-sprinkled mochi (glutinous rice dough) was top-knotch, and the classic to be found at any good dim sum restaurant in the World. Maybe a tad more scrumptious.
Where we come from we cannot get good duck and good frog legs, hence our passion to eat these. Tricotin 2 is one of the reasons we would return to Paris. After food prices rose, we felt that the French bistros' quality suffered in Paris. So, we started eating French cuisine outside of Paris instead, and ate ethnic in Paris. Our Parisian French bistro waiter found out about Tricotin 2 from us, and started to eat there. He could not believe the prices were so low for that kind of quality and quantity.
The preparation style at Tricotin 2 is light to allow the flavor of the great ingredients shine through. We liked the tall young Cambodian waiter, who gave great service. Some of the other waiters were not so good.
The decor is okay, but you cannot see any of it once the restaurant gets crowded as everyone is packed cheek to jowl, shoulder to shoulder, and the tables get covered with food. Little tables, table cloths covered with clear plexi-glass, maybe carved rosewood chairs. The restaurant is sizable, so we never had to wait. But, we found it more pleasant at non-busy periods, when we could have an area to ourselves.
In the busy periods, Tricotin 2 reminded us more of fancy parody of a cafeteria--one with nice chairs. I don't remember if there was actually no space between tables arranged in longish rows (for that cafeteria-like ambiance in the heart of the restaurant), but it certainly had that feeling. But, hey, that cramming means no waiting. In our home City, very popular Vietnamese restaurants ask if you are willing to share tables due to lines around the block. So, the crammed tables were a step up from that. ;-)
Oh and I should mention that good waiter or non-communicative waiter, the food comes relatively quickly considering the number of patrons. But, it being France, no one is rushed out the door. The restaurant stays open all day, once it opens, until closing, which made it convenient for us with our tourist hours.