Restaurants in the 11th

[Darcy]

I just looked at Vieux Chene's site and realized I had lunch there a couple of years ago. I really liked the place and the food. I particularly remember a very nice art print in the ladies room that I took a picture of. The only problem was the waitress. Not her service which was good but, maybe she was having a bad day or had been dumped by her boyfriend but she was slamming dishes on tables and on the bar so hard and so loud that one time I jumped and spilled my wine!

I would definitely go again and hope that life was treating her better.

[Darcy]

Geordy, your link to Astier took me to a "Domain name expired" page. Would you mind doing a copy/paste of your report on it? Thanks so much! I will also google it.

[Darcy]

Happy, yes, Chez Paul is near Faubourg Saint Antoine and, thinking of the restos where I've eaten in the 11th, it is my favorite. Although I've not yet eaten at Astier. Will remedy that in April.

[geordy]

Re: Favorite Moderately Priced Restaurants
« Result #16 on Oct 1, 2010, 6:03pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Astier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoops ..not sure whether to put this here or in the !!th And 12th thread!

At any rate this was our last diner in PARIS THIS TRIP restaurant.
Had 9:00 res.. Took the Metro down the Blvd. and arrived right on time. Apparently Rue J. P. Timbaud is also a bit of a restaurant Rue these duys but we didn't get to explore. Next time!

Nice buzz, warmly greeted by young waitress and seated after she looked for some direction from host behind bar opening wine.

Not fancy, red and white checked place mats, a little crowded, but friendly vibe.

Ordered champagne, served by host who asked if all was well and presented menus and the blackboard of specials.Olives.

Got the menu...4 courses and reasonable, don't quite remember the amount. I started with a special..beef cheeks! When they first starting appearing on NYC menus years ago I was like..."I'm not eating a cow's face! (they have such nice faces!) Then there were all these news stories about how before American chefs started using them they were a staple of the fast food burger mixture!
No wonder those burgers are so addictive!

These were slices made into cubes with chopped veggies and a very rich sauce...scrumptious! And accompanied by a deviled egg...i thought had seen sauce tartar in the description..guess that was what it was "deviled" with! Never met a stuffed egg I didn't like!

The young ladies at the next table, (locals... bit of conversation after they went out for a smoke, well one of them smoked as the other protested!) were enjoying shrimp and stuffed veggies so I knew I had to try that. I seldom have shrimp as a main course in France for some reason but these looked so good! 4 large grilled shrimp with a stuffed tomato, onion, and zucchini. Wonderfully favorable! And not too filling.

Good thing. The cheese tray arrives and is left on the table. I counted 16 cheeses! Tried an assortment of the most interesting looking ones! Yummy bread as well. S/O acting a little jealous of my verbal reactions to the cheeses!

Oh we ordered a bottle of a house dry white wine after the bottle of Champagne. When the host brought it I said"This is our last night in Paris so If I start crying in my wine, just ignore me!'

Also got a special for dessert. If you like caramel and this is on the menu ..order it!!! It was a plain caramel cake(host said "sweet cake'.)..kind of shaped like a small brioche, served with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Superb!!!!! Outstanding!!!! This plain little dark beige cake was dense, moist, indescribably delicious!!!!!!!!!!! One buttery, luscious bite was better than the next! It would have been divine w/o the sauce and ice cream...but with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


As we were finishing THAT the host came by and said ..since it is your last night in Paris may I offer you more Champagne? When we accepted..of course ..he came back with three flutes and a bottle and said ..May I join you? So we drank champagne and discussed NYC, Paris, Tourists, Dining, Internet reviews, and his taking a long weekend I think this month in NYC to celebrate his 40th! I said that that was a lot of jet lag for a long weekend but he said with the business it is so hard to get away. Then I got an Astier place mat, post cards, and a little "Best Restaurants of Paris" book!

A very lovely last evening in the 11th!!!!!!


Read more: truffaut.proboards.com/index.cgi#ixzz2NbyBgX7Y

[Darcy]

Thank you, Geordy, can't wait to eat there!!

[Happygoin]

Ooh, I like the sound of that, geordy. Especially the part about the free Champagne

It does sound like a good last-night-in-Paris kind of place. I think Chez Paul and Astier are going on the list for October.

Thanks, both of you.

[rachelnyc]

I know this is an old thread but I am a recent 11th convert and wanted to share my experiences.

I really enjoyed some of the restaurants already mentioned including Creperie Bretonne, Square Trousseau (12th) and Chez Paul (it's on rue de Charonne, just off Faubourg St Antoine). I had not heard of Chez Paul but it was across the street from my apt and it was packed every night with locals so I gave it a try my last night and was very glad I did. Excellent confit de canard.

I planned to follow Happygoin's excellent advice to arrive early at Paris Hanoi but it didn't work out. I did try to go one rainy evening after 9pm and there was still a line to get in!

That and Astier remain on my list and I have added Au Vieux Chene, thanks to the advice here.

My favorite meal of the trip was at Septime. I had worried it was overhyped but it lived up to my high expectations. I liked Septime Cave too and it's a great alternative if you can't get a reservation or don't want to plan ahead. Le 6 Paul Bert was also terrific and I thought it was a great value.

[Happygoin]

I'm glad you enjoyed some of my favorites, Rachel.

I love the interior of Square Trousseau. It's old and beautiful. I always feel like I've gone back in time when I eat there. Well, until the mini-skirted hostess flounces around. Then I'm jolted back to 2013...I wish they had waiters with the long aprons. Then I could actually believe I was in Paris in the 20's