Vivant in the 10th under Chef Sota: Better than ever.

7.5 Vivant, 43 Rue des Petites Ecuries in the 10th, 01.42.46.43.55, (but now taking reservations by email) has had a new chef since the rentree; one M. Sota who has passed through Troisgros, Stella Maris and Toyo on his way here and is still only 26 years old.

Vivant's vivacious host is still Pierre Jancou, he of La Cremerie, Racines (1) and soon (September 15, 2012) the new Vivant wine bar etc where he will do the more simple cooking, wine tasting and wine-selling next door.  The carte of what he calls the gastronomic original resto is now (as I recall) a bit pricier (70-100 E for three courses) but they also have a "menu" with three items off it for 45 E and 2 for 39 E.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The amuse gueule was  an amusing mixture of a raddish, tuna, I think mozzarella and a fourth item.  I chose the Talmar wine, this, a Regnie that Jancou says is his favorite drink-at-home wine.

For her first course on the "menu" she had a boudin noir wrapped in pepper with some octopus/seche type stuff and anise - very tasty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madame then had the lamb chop which looked superbly undercooked but I found a bit too chewy while the "burned" quail with microtomed fresh raw vegetables was the best quail dish I've ever had and maybe the best dish of the rentree.

Madame then finished (BTW she shared he 1st & dessert generously with me so don't feel I lost out - I just thought we should test the kitchen by having both a "menu" and a featured plat) with a chocolate x3 (a chocolate mousse, with a chocolate glaze and chocolate sauce) - first rate.

Our bill, with two of the world's best coffees (Giovanni Erbisti,) the wine, no bottled water and charming converations with Jancou thrown in, was 119E.

Go? 

Comments

[Alex F]

John, is that the lunch or dinner menu in the picture?

[John Talbott]

I only eat out at lunch so that was at lunch (I have a crippling fear of vampires).
Cheers.