36 rue Saint Louis en I'Isle
75004 Paris
4er Arrondissement - Ile St Louis
Metro - St Paul, Pont Marie
Tel 01 43 25 10 26
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La Caveau de l'Isle is a special little bistro I found while wandering streets and reading menus at the many bistros on the picturesque Ile St Louis. This is the perfect place to stop for lunch either before or after a walk on rue Saint Louis en I'Isle. The atmosphere would also make this a nice place for a romantic dinner. La Caveau is one of my favorite restaurants in Paris.
[the ambiance]
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The atmosphere here is a mix of rust colors, textures and stone walls with a art nouveau touch here and there. There is nice light jazz music playing in the background. The tables are decorated with white cloths and bamboo place-mats. I like the glassware here, I went and bought them at A. Simon (the restaurant supply) yesterday. They were a great buy!
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Menu - The set price lunch menu here is €19.50 and offer 3 courses. There is a wide variety of tempting selections including meats, fish and some other “stuff” that I won't eat.
[i'm starved!]
When I received my menu it came with a glass of calvados and a small bowl of roast peanuts. I thought to myself, how nice! At the end of the meal I was charged for the calvados! I think when I sat down the server asked me if I wanted one and I didn't understand what she said and I "may" have said "oui". My fault.
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Entree - Like I said in some of my other posts, no duck is safe while I visit France. My entree is my favorite once again, Terrine de foie gras au pain campagne. This dish is beautifully served with crusty toasted country bread, bits of tomato, toothpick thin slivers of carrot, parsley and chive. It is not a huge entree but satisfying and with no surcharge, as foie gras usually has. Delicious.
Plat - Oh my! For my main course I selected the duck breast dish beautifully named, Magret de canard, sa sauce au meil et son gratin Dauphinois. Yes, this trip is now formally the "Duckfest 2005". All the ducks of France are now in hiding. This was the most delicious meal I've had in Paris.
The plat (or main course) wasn't large but was very satisfying. I do have to say that portions served in Paris are always "just right", after all this isn't the Cheesecake Factory! The duck breast was served “pink”, by my request, atop a potato gratin with sliced warm apple. All this was in a tangy reduction sauce which tasted like it was made with honey (meil) and a bit of vinegar. This was served with what seemed to be pureed carrots on the side. It doesn't get better than this. By the way the potato gratin was expertly cooked.
[le plateau de fromage]
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For dessert I've decided to get the Plateau de fromage instead of sweets. I can (and will) get a pastry or tartelette at pastry shop later.
The "Plateau" cheese plate is amazing. It includes 4 small wedges of cheese, a chevre bouchon (this is goat cheese, 2 pieces), a creamy camembert, and a wedge of ripe tasty Reblochon. The three cheeses offer something creamy, something tangy and something strong. The strong cheese may not be for everyone and is a bit challenging but delicious! The cheese is served with some crusty baguette. I never know whether to eat the rind on these cheeses or not. I usually only eat the rinds on brie and camembert but I don't eat them when they are dark colored.
The total bill for lunch is €33.45 including one glass of bordeaux at €5.60 and the accidental calvados at (yikes) €7.90. Without the calvados it would have been only €25.45 ($32.45).
[in my opinion]
This was truly a nice meal. Not only did they offer good service but the atmosphere was relaxing and comfortable. In retrospect, La Fontaine de Mars near the Eiffel Tower use to be my favorite bistro but in the last 2 days I found 2 new places that I think have better food at a better price.
The restaurant is not elegant, it's just nice and cozy without packing people in on top of each other. The restaurant was so cozy that i sat and had a 2 hour lunch! I really enjoyed every bite of my meal. I also had a peek at everyone else's food. Everything looked delicious! Everyone at La Caveau de l'Isle was very friendly, welcoming and spoke English. They don't over pamper.
For price/value I would consider La Caveau de l'Isle a best buy. While in Paris I would make an effort to visit La Caveau de l'Isle, you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to return.
La Caveau de l'Isle also has an English menu available.
This is a edited blog originally published live via Blackberry from Paris.
Hi Richard, I saw your post on Fodors and I have been following your adventures in Paris. That duck dish on the potato gratin sounds amazing. Continue to have a good trip! By the way, my "posting" name on Fodors is Suki.
Posted by: Lisa | Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 04:47 PM
Richard, I'm enjoying your trip - your account of it anyway. I shouldn't read this at work so long before lunch. My mouth is watering.
Posted by: David | Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 05:40 PM
MY FAVORITE-DUCK-OH MY GOSH DID THAT EVER SOUND GREAT! I GUESS I'LL GO HOME NOW AND HAVE A SALAD AND MY SUPERMARKET BBQ CHICKEN!!!!
Posted by: BARBARA | Wednesday, November 17, 2004 at 12:15 AM
I FORGOT TO MENTION- WHAT'S WRONG W/ ACCORDIAN MUSIC-HOW SWEET OR QUAINT. WOULD ANYONE DO THAT HERE! PLUS, JAZZ FOR LUNCH IN PARIS-HOW NICE..HEY, ARE YOU GAINING WEIGHT?
Posted by: BARBARA | Wednesday, November 17, 2004 at 12:18 AM
I am enjoying your reports. I love Paris, and have been there 5 times in the past 5 years.
I had to respond here because I also dined at the Caveau last December, and had a wonderful meal. Thanks for bringing back those memories.
liz
Posted by: liz | Sunday, November 21, 2004 at 12:59 AM
We have there with friends.
One of us get knocked by the waiter and his dish, on the head.
The fish was stinky and obviously expired.
The 2 desserts were creme brule and pie. Top and bottom were completely black from overcooked.
And they wanted us to pay for the stinky fish!!!
Maybe we shield also say sorry for the dish on the head??
Very bad address, bad service.
Unless u want to get expired stinky fish and get kick on the head.
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