I made some reservations a week prior leaving for Paris (some made thru the internet, some made thru phone by a French speaking friend of ours). I reserved this tiny bistro for our first night dinner after I read about it on blogs, claiming that it’s on par with 3-star Michellin restaurants without the high price.
It’s located secluded on a quiet small dark alley (quite a hardcore foodie hunt already for a first day?). Not sure what neighborhood it’s in, edge of Marais perhaps? When we got there the server was still writing the menu on the chalk board. The restaurant’s name is completely invisible.
They have choices of a 28 Euro for two or 33 Euro for Three-Courses Menu, we go all the way of course.
Amuse-Bouche and very good Breads on stick.
Coincidently, our pick for Entrees (=Appertizer), Plats and Desserts have a common theme. Joan’s picks are all soup-based.
Joan’s Entrees: Roasted Foie Gras with Lentils and Morteau Sausage. HEAVEN~
Joan’s Plat: Pork Confit with Lentils (again!) and Rondeau de Filet Mignon (plus another slice of Foie Gras on top). Perfectly cooked meat. I shouldn’t have picked the same lentils but it’s so delicious anyway. Very hearty~
Joan’s dessert: a soaked Pear dish that I’d find out the name later. Refreshing dessert after the two heavy meal.
My (Freda)’s picks also have a theme (plates of small pieces)
Freda’s entrees: Foie Gras with Duck Confit, Salad and Apricot. The foie gras is rich and buttery, enhance only with sprinkles of salt and pepper.
Freda’s Plat: Quail with Mushrooms creme. The various kinds of mushrooms added on texture to each bite. The quail is tender and flavorful. Very very good~
Freda’s Dessert: Millfeuille de Bergamot and Custard and Honey, very crispy and the creamy custard is light. Love it!
My friend who’re not too familiar with French cuisine made some safe picks:
Entrees: Escargot and Creme Brulee Trio
Duck Confit. All basic but all GOOD!
Sadly, we were the only customer that night. Is it because of rain? Monday night? The owner was very helpful in translating the menu to English. He even tell us stories about the weird herbal illustration hanging on the wall for us. It felt bittersweet that we arrived before the restaurant opens and once we walked out the door, the light is closed.
The bar is set HIGH since this first dinner. 😀 Our luck with food has gone downhill in the following days and eventually hit rock bottom one night. I’ll write about them later.
Au Fil des Saisons (01 42 74 16 60)
6, rue des Fontaines du Temple 75003 Paris
Metro: Arts et Metiers
Lunch on dinner M-F, Sat dinner only, closed Sundays
Tags: Bistronomy, Cake, Duck, Filet Mignon, Foie Gras, French, Prix fixe
Oh god that looks good. I’m seethingly jealous of you too.
Hun?? Be it a series of unfortunate dishes from this meal onwards, I am still very curious… Hope you two have better luck the remaining time you spend in France!
Oh great food but no customers? I wonder why…
The choices you picked are quite meaty! ^^;;; Can’t believe they put sausages in the foie gras and lentil entree – looks amazing though! Could you guys finish the whole course?
absolutely lovely. I have drooled all over my keyboard it looks so yummy.
oh wow! that is such a winter food 🙂 so rich!
have you tried fries with foie gras? I love the Millfeuille!!! looks so yummy! is their coffee good? you have to blog your experience as a whole as well!!! and all the shops 🙂
can’t wait to hear.
Yeah I think we went all out with these high cholesterol food too early on in the trip. But there’re basically very very little vegetable dishes in French restaurants anyway. I guess French balance the meat and richness well with lots of wine. ^^;; Amazingly we did finish everything coz it taste too good (just look at the generous amount of foie gras~)!
Ah vero the coffee are so good~ I got used to drinking ‘cafe’ (=expresso).
Everything served on a stick is good. =)