6.1 Les Gourmets de Ternes, 87 bvd de Courcelles in the 8th, 01.42.27.43.04 (Metro: Ternes) is a place suggested by my Pal J. when my suggestion of a place near his work didn't meet his food demands. I'd never been even though it opened in 1962 and is next to a resto - the Lorraine - we used to go to all the time, principally for its unlimited fish soup.
I was blown away by the tile in the main dining room, reminding me of Vivant and Gallopin (not Galopin mind you) and the menu
looks like those mimeographed ones from 1962 as well. Anyone really wishing to read it should go here. Pal J., who's been coming here since highschool when his best buddy invited him to eat at the family joint, knew exactly what he was getting but it took me a moment to decide; it's a big meat, esp beef place, but I saw the goose foie gras on the chalkboard and it's such a rarity I went for it.
But first he had the eggs mayo and I the herring with requisite potatoes and crisp sharp offsetting but not offputting onions; delicious.
His beef with moelle was good and the frites fine but my foie gras was just what this or any doctor ordered, super fine.
He finished with a terrific creme caramel and I with an equally good baba with red fruits and creme fraiche and St James rum as well as syrup. My oh my.
Our bill, with two coffees, 50 cl of red wine and a bottled water, was 117 E.
Go? For two reasons yes. First, I'm in the midst of writing an essay on typical French food and if any place typifies typical, this is it, and second, how can you not love a place with a photo of Jack Nicholson with the chef (Pal J's old classmate) on the wall?
The first international location of "Les Gourmets des Ternes" has opened in Beirut this month, and I'll be trying it out next week. My understanding is that the menu has been preserved--thanks for the review and photos! But that baba au rhum looks like a mere slice of angel cake! Did you find it special?
Posted by: Danielle | February 05, 2013 at 10:24 AM
It was OK.
Posted by: John Talbott | February 05, 2013 at 01:30 PM