7.2 Septime, 80, rue de Charonne in the 11th, 0143.67.38.29, closed Sundays and Mondays (Metro: Charonne) is another place
-with no sign outside identifying it
-in the same 11th happening area as yesterday's Tintilou and the classics of the quartier such as le Paul Bert, etc.,
-with another presentation of interesting fresh and good ingredients, featuring contrasting colors.
I got there a bit earlier than my dining partner (the French person I've known the longest with whom I've stayed in contact) so I was able to scope the joint - great butcher block tables, spiral iron staircase, seemingly unfinished old walls, "California" kitchen with 5 staff (of whom two were women) and two terribly nice guys in the salle & bar.
Looking at the carte I was a bit taken back that compared to the reviews published May 3rd in Le Fooding/Louis Daboussy, May 10th in A Nous Paris/Jerome Berger, May 19th in Hungry for Paris/Alexander Lobrano and May 21st in Figaro/Francois Simon, almost everything was new. The effort that takes; except for Spring doing it for a long time, it's a rare place/chef that/who can innovate every day. There were two starters, two mains and two desserts; so why not share; which our genial waitguy complemented us doing since that's the point apparently.
The firsts were asparagus stalks with orange slices, microtomed carrots and tiny leaves of mountain spinach (arrach) and a terrine of layered foie gras, canard was it?, some scallion-like vegetable and a beet puree. Terrific!
We then had succulent pork cheeks with white asparagus and beans and a beautiful and nicely cooked piece of cod with green asparagus and a puree of, was it lentils? Yes we agreed.
We ate our lasts in proper fashion; cheeses first (just fine) and then the tart of Petit Suisse (yes, really).
With a liter of house red (25 E), bottled water and two coffees, (both of which we swear were supposed to come on the 26 E "menu") our bill was 87.50 E; so with only a bottle of wine and the other liquids "included" the bill would have been 69 E; pretty darn good.
Go? I tried to reserve for Colette's arrival, but they are so overwhelmed (the resto was completely full) but they're not booking far in advance - so I'd say do it, soon!
One last plus for it; there's a beautiful garden out back with flowers, birds and heavenly trees/shrubs. Oh Colette will die for it.
John, Thanks for your insights. I have been a lurker ever since we decided to take a trip to Paris for my 40th and I thoroughly enjoy your writing.
Question: I am trying to reserve a lunch at Septime, for September and as far as I can tell, I need to call, which I do. But, I am getting "our phone messaging system is full" .... is there a website to make a reservations, or should I keep trying (may be at a particular time)? Thanks
Elie
Posted by: Elie | July 22, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Dear Elie,
No web reservations; and the phone machine is always full; you have to call during service or just before, so say 7:30, 7:45, 8:00 PM.
All the best,
John
Posted by: John Talbott | July 22, 2011 at 07:07 PM