After my lovely cigar on the Solarium, I decided that it was time for some grub. I had spent the entire day running around the city and just wasn't up for another excursion - especially when there's a restaurant down the street that makes great meals.
Actually, I thought for a few moments about trying the Korean BBQ joint across the street but then realized what tomfoolery that would have been. When in France, eat French.
Since I had been to Chez Pierrot before, I knew what to expect: wonderfully home style cooked food without pretense. I arrived around 10pm and was the only person in the house. It wasn't necessarily an off night since half the tables were full about an hour ago when I passed by while walking around the neighborhood.
Mushroom Soup amuse bouche
My last dinner in Paris and the pressure was on to choose the right items for a most memorable meal. The last time I was here the Blanquette du Veau and onion soup were most so delicious. As the lady came I asked her for a recommendation. Straight away she recommended the duck confit but for some reason, I asked for a second recommendation. The second recommendation was the filet of beef. I stalled again which led her to believe that I didn't want the duck.
The truth is, I wasn't sure what I wanted. I just wanted to make the right choice. But after non-stop meals of steak, perhaps the filet would be overkill.
Soupe a l'oignon gratinee et ses croutons. 9.70€
Things started out with an amuse bouche of mushroom soup. Light, flavorful, delicate and a nice way to start off the meal.
The onion soup arrived next and was blazing hot. The biggest problem with onion soup is the temperature. It needs to be served blazing hot but then you have to wait awhile or risk burning the roof of your mouth. I choose to risk the burns - and lost.
The soup was good. Carmelized onions, red wine, baguettes and cheese. It was good but different than the last time. In February, Chez Pierrot made the best onion soup I had ever tasted, with just the perfect amount of cheese. It was robust in flavor and delicious. This time is was good, just not as good as the last time.
Tres tendre filet de boeuf et son foie gras sur toast, accompagne de pommes sautees et haricots verts.24.90€
Finally, the main course arrived: the filet of beef. It was beautifully done. Cooked au point, it could have used a little more salt but it looked wonderful - and the slice of foie gras on toasted baguette: sexy. Potatoes were expertly done and the beans still had a nice snap to them. The plate was executed beautifully.
My problem was that I was indeed suffering from beef overload.
Meal after meal of beef, and this last one was just too much. I was craving variety. Yet I gave my body more of the same. I should have ordered the duck.
L'addition.
In the end, the meal was good. Perhaps not as revelatory as my last visit, but still very solid and delicious cooking. I just made the wrong choices for my palate that night. Reviewing the menu later, there's a couple of items I wish I could have tried, like: Beef Bourguignon or the Mixed Grill, or the Fricasee de St. Jacques - that would have been nice.
Oh well, c'est la vie. Until next time!
Chez Pierrot
9 rue Amelie
75007 Paris
01 45 51 50 08
No comments:
Post a Comment