Paris - Day 3

08-25: We slept in again. I am tired with some amount of back pain. Stuart made fancy scrambled eggs for us around 11:30a. We don’t want to eat too much because we are going to Le P’tit Troquet tonight at 8:30p. There is a story behind the visit there tonight. In 2000, when I came to Paris with my Mom, Deb, and my sister, we ate there! We did a little research on the place. It is in the same location but has changed. When we went it was a single dining area, very small, perhaps 6-8 tables. It changed hands in 2011, and has expanded to 2 dining areas, and a terrace out front with maybe 8 tables. They were busy and the place rarely had an empty table. I should say we did not see the second dining room in the back, but there was a steady stream of diners. One thing has not changed; it is still very quaint and “old Paris” décor in my opinion.

The food was fantastic. The menu is not as small and not written on a chalk board either. The menu is one page with starters, mains, and desserts. A few sides are offered as well. Stuart ordered the beef bourgionnone and I chose the Angus shoulder steak. Both were absolutely delicious. But I am getting ahead of myself! First, they took our wine order. Next, they returned with a small appetizer of smoked salmon and a bread basket, along with water. We each ordered a starter. Stuart had the Pork and shrimp meatball skewers, grilled on a Binchotan with papaya salad. There was also a nice portion of dill and parsley on the plate with an excellent dressing with just a little pop of spice. I ordered the Heirloom tomatoes, peach, Kalamata olives, anchovy, and basil pesto. This dish was also fresh, bright, and tasty. We shared each dish. The anchovies on my salad were the best I’ve ever had. I would order them every time if they tasted like that! Our mains arrived with tantalizing aromas and they were an epicurean’s delight. Stuart’s beef was as tender as butter, as was my steak. He had carrots and potatoes in his cast iron pot that stayed nice and hot. Neither of us could finish our main, but that did not keep us from having dessert! We did manage to finish the Fraisier cake, which is a French classic strawberry cream cake followed by a Grand Mariner digestive. While we ate, there was a brief rain storm. Between courses we chatted with a mother and daughter from South Carolina and charming table mates. Even though we walked to Le P’tit Troquet we opted for an Uber to take us back. What a wonderful evening.