24 rue Tournelles 4e arr., Paris
Metro - Bastille
This is my third visit to L'Endroit and hopefully a good one. I am having a late dinner tonight because this afternoon I bought some goat cheese, baguette and wine and had a party with myself at the apartment. Afterward I took a nap. I didn't want to miss out on a good dinner tonight so it was either late, or never.
Tonight I am going for the three course €30 fixed menu. That's a lot of food at this hour but there are a few things I really want and there is no savings witjh getting them a la carte.
OK, I am basically having the same meal I had here a year ago. It was good then, so it should be good now.
To start I ordered the "Terrine de Foie Gras de Canard a la Vanille". This is a slice of foie gras infused with a vanilla flavor. Foie gras ois so creamy, think of this like ice cream! As described, the foie gras is delivered and is delicious. The vanilla really adds new depth to the flavor. This is a very enjoyable starter if you like foie gras. As in most restaurants in Paris, the foie gras at L'Endroit comes with a €3 supplement.
Since I earlier proclaimed tonight "duckfest" I have selected the "Magret de Canard au jus de noix, noisettes et raisins". That's a mouthful. I think it's a breast of duck in a sauce enhanced with nuts and raisins. The dish was excellent and the duck was cooked nicely and very tender. The reduction sauce, which I believe was made from grapes, had a great depth of flavor and was laced with hazelnuts and walnut bits. The dish was served with a moulded mound of rice which I think was good but I would have liked it with a potato gallette. Regardless it was yummy.
I am really not in the mood for dessert and have a "abricot-pistache tart" back at the apartment. It's included so I select the "Marquise au chocolat, sauce fruit rouge". If you don't read French that a very thick rich dark chocolate dessert with a red fruit sauce. It's not like a flourless chocolate cake, but a slice of soft solid chocolate. In fact, it's 2 slices. If you are a chocolate lover, you'll like this one!
Tonight I had a good meal at L'Endroit but I think I enjoyed it more last year, just a bit more. Maybe it was the refinement of the food, maybe the presentation. I believe last year the service was on much nicer dishes. It seems like this year they switched to everyday white bistro-ware. Maybe all the old plates broke and were too expensive to replace. I also think service was a bit "brisk".
Total bill - €33 and did not include wine or coffee.
I will rate L'Endroit a solid 3 hearts and I still consider this wine bistro a good find. I recommend it if you are in the Marais or Bastille area.
Smoking alert - You cannot escape smoking in Paris. Even though L'Endroit has an area reserved for non smokers, the depth of smoke in the room is terrible and it makes no difference that "these" tables are smoking and "those" are not. I wouldn't let this stop you from visiting L'Endroit but I suggest to visit them either at lunch or for an early dinner when they are less crowded.
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