24 rue des Tournelles Marais/Bastille, Paris
Metro - Bastile
What a perfect way to start a trip to Paris. L'Endroit is just a short walk from my apartment so it was easy to decide that I wanted to have a light lunch here.
L'Endroit is a great place for a Saturday afternoon lunch if you are in the Marais, Bastille or near the Place de Vosges. It's far less crowded than the touristy bistros around Place de Vosages, plus a good value for the food quality.
The interior is what I would call a wine bistro with rust colored walls, wood furniture and great background music.
I am surprised the menu here hasn't changed since I last visited a year ago. It's simple. There are two price fixed menus - for €18 you can pick from the 2 course menu, or for €30 you can go whole hog and do the three course version. I have to say that the €30 3 course menu has far more selections and extravagance than the 2 course.
Since I plan to come back for dinner one night, I decide on the cheaper 2 course option.
For my main course I select the Pot au Feu Grand Mere (grandmothers beef stew). I think this was the wrong choice and a bit boring. I never had this dish before and wanted to try it. It's pretty simple, the dish contains chunks of beef, carrots, cabbage, potato and turnips in a light broth. For what is was worth the dish had good flavor but was too simple for my taste. The dish came with a huge marrow bone right in the center. After I was given the dish the server came and asked if I would like it removed. He probably realized that most American don't eat marrow bones. I was brought a dish to deposit it on. I've tried marrow bones before but thet weren't to my liking.
For dessert my selection is the "Moelleux au Chocolat, creme anglais" which is a slice of thick flourless chocolate cake in a vanilla creme sauce. This was a good dessert and should hold me over until I pass the next pastry shop. I've already eyed some nice tarts on the rue Rivoli.
Ok that's meal #1. It wasn't the greatest but I picked something lackluster. I should have got the "Entrcote au Poivre Sichuan". That was served with noodles.
Total Bill - £18 (I didn't get wine or coffee)
My opinion of L'Endroit hasn't changed, I still think it's a 4 heart bistro. Check back later in the week for a more extravagant dinner at L'Endroit.
Frankly, I do not recommend the €18 menu, it's too simple. Splurge and do the €30 version.
Blogging LIVE! from Europe via Blackberry and Cingular Wireless
richard,
i'm leaving for paris tomorrow and the weather looks weird. 30 degrees, 100% humidity, and fog?! what does it really feel like?
a bientot!
melissa
Posted by: Melissa | Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 10:36 PM