

8.0 Allenotheque, 53 rue de Grenelle, open 12-23 Tuesday-Sunday, is in the Beaupassage, which is open 7/7 from 7-23 (Metro: Rue du Bac). It opened August 25th in this passageway I never knew existed, (actually it didn't exist, it was carved out of several buildings), and contains many featured names, Pic, Herme, etc., but I figured, luckily it turned out, that Alleno’s three story joint would be the luxe place to eat. When I arrived, my friend was already installed and I’d say it was 20% full (when we left people were standing in the doorway and outside by the terrace, to be seated).

The carte does not look particularly different with the exception 1. That again I had tough choices to make and 2. That it was not cheap.

First we were served fabulous grained bread and butter with grains on top that were over the top.
Then my friend revealed to me that Alleno’s places was always where he celebrated special events and was so pleased I picked it.


For starters he had a perfect egg, that he declared truly perfect, that came with bulots and a great mushroom sauce and I had raviolis stuffed with bits of palerons of beef and sliced daikons - he said “boy, what a start,” not saying, I hope they can keep it up. At this point Himself came by and asked how things were - we gushed our thanks.


For mains, my friend chose the sweetbreads that came in a cool crab shell with another great mushroom sauce, this of girolles and I had slices of perfectly cooked Dombes duck with tiny navets and a “complex” sauce. Great.

We finished by sharing a slice of roasted pineapple with its sorbet, Fabulous.
Our bill, ah, our bill. Well, this was really two events, an apero celebrating my friends new book - and lunch, so for the lunch, with a bottle of wine (the wines come from his wine-shop downstairs I believe, with a 25€ corkage fee; open wines by the glass start at 7€), no bottled water and one coffee, was 140€ a couple. But, but, but, during the week 2 daily dishes are 29 and three 41€! There’s also a menu Allenotheque with wine pairing at 100€.
Go? Without question. Despite the smoke blowing in from the terrace and the terribly uncomfortable cushionless chairs.

Bonus photo - I walked into a photoshoot, or rather they walked into me, and asked if I didn't want to be included. Oh no.