Le Bistro des Gastronomes in the 5th: More than just another neighborhood restaurant: a winner.

 
5.9 Le Bistro des Gastronomes, 10, rue Cardinal Lemoine, 01.43.54.62.40, open 7/7, Sundays and Mondays, is a place a reader (Allesandra) tipped me to after she'd read my essay on finding a "Good Neighborhood Restaurant."  It certainly is that and more.

Its chef/owner is a Picardian, Cedric Lefevre, who trained with some of the best folk around, including Christian Constant and it's been open just over a year, unbeknownst to the big boys.  The wait-guy was super-friendly and as soon as he heard my dining partner and I talking, swtched effortlessly to unaccented English.  They have a menu-carte at 35 E that has all the things one could want.

The generous amuse-bouche was a cream of white asparagus soup the likes and tastes of which I've never seen before; simply delicious.

 

 

 

My partner had the fine pate de campagne and I had the croustillants of scallops which funnily enough were the best I've had of this dish since Caroline Rostang decamped and her magnificent Bistro Cote Mer just around the corner fell into enemy hands.

 

 

 

For mains, he chose the wild daurade and I the sweetbreads on tao-ist (I kept thinking, how cool - the only thing I retained from my college course on Comparative Religion was that the way of the Tao was to float effortlessly like a leaf down the river - I surely didn't put up any resistance).  Both were excellent products, excellently cooked and expertly plated.

 

We both had the "lemon pie" for dessert; at that point, despite how good it was, I could not do justice to it, but my friend neatly polished it off.

Any problems?  Well, yes, actually.  They were out of the first few wines my friend chose (due to a big party Saturday night) and others were fairly pricy - that's something they need to revise [PS per David Berger below their wine list s now up to snuff].

The bill, as a result, was 115 E, which is a bit much for a "Good Neighborhood Restaurant."  BTW the excellent bread was from Kayser and the coffee was pretty good as well.

Go (with Colette?)  It's on the list; I'll be back.  Thanks Allesandra. 

Comments

[Allesandra]

I'm so glad you went and that you enjoyed it as much as I did!

[David berger]

John: he is open seven day a week, including Sunday. We enjoyed this bistro, as per your review. They now have all the wines in stock, with some good values. Well worth another trip.

[John Talbott]

Thanks David; I've updated the info.