6.9 Les Saisons (cool logo eh?), 52 (not 2 as A Nous Paris has it) rue Lamartine in the 9th, (the old great Villa Victoria space, before that the awful Velly location), 01.48.78.15.18, closed Sundays and Mondays, is a place under the direction of Jonathan Lutz who had chef'd at Glou, which I liked not at all, versus everyone else in the world of food criticism, and
has lunch formulas at 15 and 20 E as well as running one about 35 E a la carte for many more selections. My newest dining partner and I sort of mixed and matched and didn't do badly at all. I should note that nothing Philippe Toinard mentioned in his ANP article, only January 10th, was apparent today, which is a very good sign indeed.
Madame my new friend, had the ardoise leek salad with vinaigrette and I a small but perfectly cooked chunk of duck foie gras on a bed of Jerusalem artichoke puree - both damn good.
She then had the cod with a crackling crispy crust in broth and I the pigeon with both forcemeat and foie gras again - both came with many vegetables and (for me) too many potatoes. Both dishes were way above standard quality and miles above the stuff we'd had at Glou just 3 years ago January.
With extremely fine bread, 2 quite good coffees, a nice Loire red and no bottled water or dessert, our bill came to 89.90 E - which (full disclosure) she picked up under the impression that she had invited me, even though I picked the day and restaurant.
Go? You bet.
"the awful Velly location"
Velly used to be damned good before it thoroughly went to the dogs.
Posted by: Parigi | January 25, 2012 at 09:41 PM
So what happened to it? that could be a great article on your blog - MP Reveals.
Posted by: John Talbott | January 25, 2012 at 09:55 PM
We went tonight, since we're staying in the ninth. Fantastic meal. The pigeon stuffed with foie gras was the best. Thanks for the review.
Posted by: Tori | February 23, 2012 at 11:09 PM
Oh, and the chocolate cake was life affirming. It was so delicious
Posted by: Tori | February 23, 2012 at 11:11 PM
Delighted you were delighted. Interesting about Velly and Victoria; Alexander Lobrano whom I respect greatly, loves Les Saisons as he did Velly but not Victoria; exactly opposite my take. Which is why one should read all of us to get a complete picture.
Posted by: John Talbott | February 24, 2012 at 08:06 PM