5.8 Christophe, 8, rue Descartes in the 5th, 01.43.26.72.49, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays is a place I deemed a 4.5 on November 19, 2008 and dinged them for "the crummy décor, a moelleux of chocolate (here described as mi-cuit, which just didn’t beat the “can one do it better than at home” test) and service that ground to a halt after the dessert was served (an old, familiar problem.)"
I republished this review a while back, and got a very nice comment from philippe whose email revealed the fact that it was really from Christophe Philippe, the chef, who said "vous devriez revenir" to which I replied "Ah Christophe, then I wouldn't be anonymous anymore, would I? At least to you. I have heard others say they love Christophe though." So after circulating this exchange among my fideles, two co-conspirators from Paris by Mouth said they really wanted to go back; so I charged one with making the rez in her name so I would not be outed (fat chance - but more on that later).
They still have an incredibly priced 3-course meal, even on weekends for 19 E with supplements for sure, and the two ladies had that while I went with the Abat Express-to-Your-Heart-Muscle-Arterioles two courses for double that, oie. On the left above is a photo of the ladies "cochon basque, ventrèche et boudin, en nems" which was simply divine, no other word would do and I had what's shown on the right side, the braised veal brains, which we all loved as well.
Then my very oldest Paris By Mouth pal had the famous "Boeuf de M.Charcellay!! le faux filet rôti pomme de terre Pompadour en purée" which was one of the best pieces of beef ever (more again, later), my other Paris By Mouth pal-coconspitator had the andoulillette with mashies and I had the "Ris de veau, meunière, pomme de terre pompadour en purée," which the table declared "extraordinary."
Having grossed myself out on innards/organ meats and wine, I passed on dessert but the ladies both had the chocolate mousse, described as "Mousse chocolat 75% cacao, croustillant à la praline," which was above standard.
As we were finishing up two guys appeared at the table: "Do you remember me," said the younger one to me in perfect English, "Ahhhh, Christophe, ahhhh Philippe," stammered I, "no, remember the Bis de Severo," "But of course," and the other guy was from Severo. Therein ensued a wonderful few minutes of talk about beef, origin, types, feed, etc. What a small world Google has brought us into.
The bill was 128 E for 3, thus 85.33 E for the food, plus some Chateldon, fine bread and the moral equivalent of just under 2 bottles of fine wine. Didn't we have coffee? Did they comp us (because by the end the chef had joined us)? I dunno. But it was fun.
Go? I would encourage it for a genuine Paris Bistro where the decor, chocolate & service are way up from 3 years ago. Thanks for inviting me back Christophe. We had a great meal.
et vous n avez pas gouter le canard, le veau, l agneau , la sole, le cochon les meilleurs produits que je puisse trouver en essayant de vous les servir sans les abimés ( le plus nature possible,sans épices ni artifice ) merci d etre repasser et peut etre a bientôt au severo ou ailleur .
Posted by: philippe | July 02, 2011 at 10:47 PM