When planning our Paris trip, I scoured and cross referenced looked at food blogs and message boards for the most commonly mentioned and highly recommended restaurants to develop our “must go” places (more on my food OCD research later). It even led us to our best meal in Paris.
For quintessential French fare, Josephine Chez Dumonet seemed to be “it.” Our expectations were very high given all the posts about this restaurant, and Dumonet surpassed them all! This is where I send all friends and family for old-school French cuisine. (I have read that service can be spotty and/or rude, but we did not experience that at all. Going for lunch to avoid the dinner rush/craziness likely helps.)
Everyone talked about four dishes, so Anah, LL and I ordered them all:
- Foie gras (don’t particularly care for foie, but really glad we ordered it!)
- Duck confit (perfectly crispy skin that steals the show from the rest of the dish)
- Beef bourguignon (rich and savory)
- Grand marnier souffle
The first three were PERFECTION! But definitely order the HALF portions, which were still ginormous and more than enough for the three of us. Total price for the three of us converted to $110 USD.
The souffle was an impressive display. Nothing I’d ever seen. It was good, but not as special as the savory items.
The souffle was served with a shot of grand marnier, which we saw other diners sip as they ate the dessert. However, our waiter told us to pour the shot in the souffle. I had read that on some of the message boards too, so we decided to go for it. Unfortunately.
The liquor overpowered the delicacy of the souffle and turned it into a soggy mess. The chef happened to stop by our table later and teased us about it (or so I think, based on his hand gestures and tone of French).
How would you have eaten the souffle?
Emmelle
Chez Dumonet (Josephine), 117, rue du Cherche-Midi (6th arrondisement), Tel: 01 45 48 52 40, (Closed Saturdays & Sundays)
March 3, 2013 at 2:10 pm
Hi Nguyen,
Any recommendation of French bistrot offering tradional French, done and tasting well, without the huge $$$, around Montrmartre, Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe? Thanks.
March 3, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Hi! Perhaps look into Au Clocher de Montmartre (http://www.auclocherdemontmartre.fr/). I feel Champs Elysees and Arc are hard areas because those are such touristy areas, so you often get over-priced food that is not necessarily done well. IMHO, you will be missing delicious traditional food if you overlook Josephine Chez Dumonet. The subway system is very easy in Paris if you are willing to travel. Good luck and let me know how your trip goes!
March 3, 2013 at 10:25 pm
Thanks Nguyen