Full of expats, English-speaking tourists and the like, this small, modern bistro is crowded and noisy. Like a lot of restaurants in Paris, L'Ardoise (in French) has an affordable pre-fixe menu, hence the crowd. For 35 Euro each, we were served a starter, and entree and a dessert. We were seated immediately and were offered menus in English, despite the fact that the menu was written on the wall in French (somehow they just know). There was a choice between ~8 different starters, ~10 entrees and 5 desserts.
We started dinner with a bottle of Cotes-du-Rhone. It was good. So good, in fact, that it was bottle 1 of 2. We were on vacation, after all!
For my first course I had the foie gras. I was surprised by an unbelievable generous portion, around the size of my palm. It was so rich that I thought I would have a hard time finishing it, but it's not often that you have that much foie gras on your plate - so I did my duty and enjoyed every last bite.
For dinner we ordered the scallops over cheese risotto and the squab with mashed potatoes and black truffle shavings. Both of the dishes were so go we practically licked our plates clean. Each dish was prepared with obvious care. My scallops were cooked perfectly, and the mashed potatoes with the squab were some of the best I have ever had.
For the third and final round we opted for the sweet (chocolate cake, unpictured) and the savory. My plate of cheeses was fresh and amazing, it was the perfect way to end a meal in Paris!
I loved my dinner here, despite the fact that it was obviously a tourist destination. The guy at the next table is from Minnesota instead of Marseilles, but that doesn't take away from the fact that the food was is fantastic, and such a deal.
Centrally located, L'Ardoise is a place that I would recommend to anyone traveling (or living!) in Paris.
Restaurant l' Ardoise
28 rue du Mont-Thabor 75001 PARIS
+ 33 1 42 96 28 18
The dinner looks amazing. The portion of foie gras is incredible!
ReplyDeleteI got a similar size portion of foie gras when I was in paris! i couldn't believe it. I didn't finish mine but came pretty close.
ReplyDeleteSo jealous!! I was only in Paris for one day and was a poor broke college kid so I didn't really get to experience much food...this post makes me want to go back!
ReplyDeleteThis entire meal was fabulous, I can't stop looking at the pics!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to read this current review and see the great photos. I ate at L'Ardoise in May of 2003. I've been back to Paris several times, but wasn't able to get over to this lovely little place. It's spectacular! We stayed at a hotel only a block away, so it was convenient. I'd read about L'Ardoise in a 2002 issue of "Bon Appetit" magazine and they were right on target. Thanks again for posting this review!
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