39 rue Lamarck
Metro - Lamarck-Caulaincourt
Since Montmarte is the area I planned to tour today I decided to start with lunch at La Poulbot Gourmet.
I came here because it is suppose to be a highly recommended restaurant with an €18 2 couse lunch plus a glass of wine. On arriving the menu looked so tempting that I decided to skip the 2 course and go straight to the 3 course lunch which is €36.
Can you imagine a €36 lunch? That's $43. Well I figured it's too late to turn back now plus they had oeuf meurette as one of the starters. Ouef Meurette is one of my favorites. It's eggs poached in red wine with bits of ham or bacon.
The dining room is nicely decorated and lit overhead with retro looking globe lighting. There are only about 10 tables which are nicely arranged and not too close together. The walls are lined with antique prints, crown moulding and a lot of mirrors which make the room seem larger. If you are lucky (like I was) you you may get one of the more private seats which set into the exterior shopfront window.
As soon as I placed my order my server brought me a small appetizer which was a crepe in a light cheese sauce.
My starter, ouef meurette, was very good. It wasn't the best o ever had but it was original. The dish contained 3 poached eggs in a deep dark wine sauce which was laced with lardons of bacon and topped with an excessive amount of wild mushrooms. You have to really like mushrooms to enjoy this dish at La Poulbot Gourmet . I don't remember ever having it with mushroom at other bistros.
I ordered the lamb riblets for my entree. I think I have to consider this "dinner for lunch" today. The dish include 3 lamb cutlets which were in a cider reduction that had the flavor of pepper and rosemary. On the side were some sliced, roast potatoes and sauteed spinach. I could live without the spinach! The dish was very tasty and was a decent size portion. I have to say 3 lamb riblets is usually what you get in this type of dish but for me they never have enough meat to satisfy.
I should have ordered the side of lamb.
For dessert I ordered the "Opera" I've heard of this but can't remember what it is. Today it's the "dessert special" so I thought I'd try it. Something in my mind tells me it's like a napolian.
The "Opera" was not what I thought it was. It was a torte which was layered with cake, mocha cream, sugar filling and topped with hard chocolate. It was more like candy than cake. All this sweetness was served in a pool of creme anglais. The French really love their creme anglais!
Total bill - €36. I didn't have wine or coffee today.
Service at La Poulbot Gourmet was very welcoming and friendly. France has changed so much in the past 20 years. I can remember going to bistros and nearly getting yelled at because I asked for an English menu. At La Poulbot Gourmet I wasn't offered an English menu but my server spoke English and was glad to assist. I didn't really require much help since I understood most of the menu. The only thing I wanted to make sure of was that the l'agneau (lamb) I ordered was meat and not guts.
La Poulbot Gourmet is a more formal bistro than most. I would classify this as a "special occasion" restaurant rather than an informal meal. Today I am in jeans and feel a bit too casual compared to other here who are in suits.
I wouldn't say that this is one of my favorite restaurants but I'd give the service and quality of food 3 hearts "plus". I think everything was great but the price was a bit steep. Somehow it seems like €36 is more reasonable for dinner rather than lunch.
While I was at Le Poulbert Gourmet I didn't notice a lot of smoking. Perhaps it was the upscale clientele rather than working class patrons. If you don't smoke all you need is the person next to you to light up to ruin a good bite of food.
I am so tired today. I could just sit in this little corner window seat all day!
Someone remind me that you only live once.
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