Carre des Feuillants: PARIS

Date: samedi 14 mai 2011
Location: 14 rue Castiglione
75001 Paris
Telephone: +33 01 42 86 82 82
http://www.carredesfeuillants.fr/index_en.html

Michelin 2 star, with my girlfriend Monique.  It's one thing dining out with the boys.. another experience entirely when just with the girls.  Especially an intimate 1:1 dinner when with a fellow food wine snob (Burghound Sommelier Elizabeth Harcourt, this is pointing at you!). 

I had just had a divine lunch experience in the Alain Ducasse's Le Jules Vernes earlier that afternoon.  As per my usual European modus operandus, I took a brief siesta that afternoon (in my perfect hotel room with a picture perfect view of the Eiffel Tower!), then hopped into a taxi over to the First Arrondissement to meet my Chinese-French girlfriend, Monique.  Somehow it never surprises me that I meet up with my closest friends more frequently internationally than stateside.  Monique and I had lunch about a month ago in Paris... however we had not seen each other in over a year prior that since she was hopping around London and me everywhere else...  How luvly to meet with her again, and this time over a proper dinner!! 

Chance had it that I would dine here at Carre des Feuillants this evening, due to a last minute reservation recommendation by a good friend.  Walking in, the environment definitely conjures up Parisien Michelin Star style atmosphere.  Sophisticated, quiet, muted sound insulation, orderly, and at least one if not usually two hosts greeting you as soon as you walk through the door. 

Our 1997 1er Cru Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles was memorable... though overall softer than I had anticipated.  Perhaps that was a nice touch for a soft landing considering the steely minerality from the Grand Cru Chablis I had for lunch which still resonates in both my palate, my brain, and my spinal cord.  Good for a Premier Cru, this Puligny Montrachet... though part of me guiltily almost dares to say that this wine was a bit on the flabby side... missing that strong steeliness and structured acidity that I look forward to always.  The label was covered with dirt, and the sommelier said "yes, from our cellar..."  I absolutely love vintage hints for wine labels...  something about waiting patiently for perfection, and seeing the weathered age on the label...  I like to pretend that this bottle was found in the trenches of some pirate's treasure chest in a sunken ship.  :))))  Anyhow... overall it was a nice bottle. 

Killer wine list... I would expect nothing less from my good friend Sebastien Khoury of Domaine De Baal Wines (http://www.domainedebaal.com/) who recommended this place when I cried out for last minute help due to another reservation being cancelled.  The wine list here is extensive with many white burgundies to pair with the many fish dishes on the menu.  I recommend this place as a dinner venue since the ambiance is dark and cool inside - so as not to waste away a beautiful sunny Spring Paris day inside. 

I know this sounds strange, but my favorite dish of the evening was the Orange Pancake Dessert... see below!

Dining room, with fun, happy art on the walls... cheerful watercolors on canvas.

Olives~!

View out toward the main entrance area.

Name brand water... I took the Wattwiller home so I can use the bottle at home for my drinking water.  :)

Appetizer... duck 3 ways.  Foie in the middle, jelly in the left... and some other way on the last....

Super cute mini baguette!!!

 I <3 butter!!

1997 1er Cru Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles - dirt covered label, I absolutely love that!!

Salmon...

Wild turbot, caviar, broccoli semolina, and squid ink rice!!!

 Best end of suckling lamb from "les pyrenees" the sweetbreads slowly cooked in clay creamy watercress and potatoes. 

I forgot what this was.... :)  Some kind of chocolate cake sitting in chocolate pow.

Then a green tea concoction poured over it... quite YUM!

Little puffs of creme bruelee, apple tart, and violet.  My favoritewas the violet!

My favorite of the eve:  Oranges from the cap sweetness, filled pancake (orange blossom jelly, saffron, and cloves marmalade).  WOWOWOW!!!!!

 And finally, un cafe due to my Italian habits. :)))