This was my second visit to the branch of C'est Mon Plaisir that's in the 4th in an area flooded by folks who simply want a Berthillon cone; OK. I was there, that is, desperately seeking sorbet, myself, not so long ago.
Funnily, as the Brits would say, the only down-note was my starter, the bone-dry cuisses de canard in a sort-of sugarless caramel sauce (2.50 E supplement).
At the point of the mains, however, things made a huge uptick; wow. Madame, our downstairs' neighbor's barbue aka brill (4 E supplement) was as nice a product and as nicely cooked as one could wish; Colette's chicken on carrots was perfect, she "corrected it" with some salt, but I liked it as is/was; and my rognon de veau on a flat almond tuile (sweet) with blettes (Swiss chard ergo assertive) had a yin/yang essence that was one-of-a-kind.
The ladies had dessert while I watched and shared; the creme brulee was just fine and the macaroon with banana and praline, that I had enjoyed on my last visit, held up superbly.
With two bottles of wine, no bottled water, good bread and 3 coffees, our bill came to 146 E, thus 97.33 E a couple, which on a Sunday when there are no bargain "menus" or "specials" is pretty darn good.
Hello John - I hope you might read this in time for a quick response (e.g. before Sunday). I'm looking for a nice place to take friends to for dinner on Sunday; we've got a table at le Reminet as a backup, but I'm curious about C'est Mon Plaisir. I can't find any trace of a website - I believe it's related to a group of three "Provencal-esque" restaurants down in the 14th/15th, but your dishes don't sound at all Provencal. Since you weren't doing a prix fixe, would the prices be about the same for dinner as for lunch? A better choice than le Reminet, do you think?
Posted by: Kelly | September 30, 2011 at 03:36 PM
Well I really like Le Reminet and I liked C'est Mon Plaisir too; most French places don't have websites; and yes it is an offshoot of the resto by the same name on the Left Bank. Toinard gives the menus as from 28-40 E.. The King of Sunday nights as my pal J. always reminds me, is Gagnaire but it's too much food for me.
Posted by: John Talbott | September 30, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Whoops, looks like my original reply didn't post - so: thanks very much for taking the time to reply, John. I've been increasingly surprised by the number of French places that do have websites these days (though I harbour an irrational prejudice against them, figuring it's a sign they've Gone Corporate. Or Gone Tourist.).
Are you sure you don't want to put me out of my misery by rendering a judgement of Paris, so to speak, and telling me which one to try? Should I simply flip a coin?
I am a latecomer to your site, but am looking forward eagerly to working my own way through your top choices.
Posted by: Kelly | October 01, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Oh I hate these choices but love deadlines. OK, I'd try the Plaisir in the 4th.
Lemme know if I was correct.
Also have you gone to our blogger-collective web-site Paris by Mouth? Far greater minds and palates than mine have opined on Sunday dinner.
http://parisbymouth.com/five-great-places-for-sunday-dinner/
Posted by: John Talbott | October 01, 2011 at 04:03 PM
I have indeed visited PbM, but I find myself a bit frustrated by the strictly chronological ordering of search results; my current list of "to tries" is culled from your site, PbM, Chowhound, eGullet and friends.
I will be delighted to try Plaisir, and will report back. Last question, just to be on the safe side: would you say the price points are about the same at both places (trying to respect my friends' wallets)? I haven't been to le Reminet since well before it went downhill and came back up - so my memories are nothing to go on. If we can get out for around 60 eur pp not including wine, I'll be happy.
Posted by: Kelly | October 01, 2011 at 05:41 PM
At night it could be more; the prices are up from its prior incarnation.
Posted by: John Talbott | October 01, 2011 at 06:14 PM
I'm sorry, I really thought I posted this the day after our meal - as promised, here are my thoughts:
After an amuse-bouche of poached chicken roulade that seemed about as obligatory and pleasure-less as Thanksgiving with the in-laws, dinner consisted of two high points with a sag in the middle.
Started with a creamy crab soup with roasted fennel, sausage, hazelnuts and raisins – don't ask me how this worked, but it was divine. The interplay of flavours was simply remarkable.
But after this soupy splendour, I was doubly disappointed with the main: cod with lomo d'Iberico, Tarbais beans and Sherry vinaigre was just dull, stodgy and underseasoned. Nothing to redeem it.
Except, that is, the cheese plate, which cheered me up no end: gorgeously well aged Valencay, Coulommiers au poivre, bleu de Serzac and Langres. The Coulommiers was one of the best cheeses I've ever had, full stop. We drank a respectable but not inspired 2007 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, and the total for 3 people was 129 euros. Such were the starter and the cheese that I’m willing to give them another try...
Posted by: Kelly | October 10, 2011 at 12:00 AM
" dinner consisted of two high points with a sag in the middle."
Ah the old "U" problem; great firsts and ends, miserable middles; will they ever learn?
I think I wrote about this back when I was at eG or Bonjour Paris but am too lazy to look up.
Posted by: John Talbott | October 10, 2011 at 04:35 AM