You wouldn’t think that my first choice of Paris restaurants would be one that is often filled with American tourists. I’ve complained on more than one occasion about being exiled to the back room reserved for foreigners. Le Florimond, however, located on La Motte Picquet near the Rue Cler and the Eiffel Tower, is a very different kind of restaurant.
With only one small dining room and a few tables on the sidewalk out front this is a fun mix of great food and entertaining service in your choice of French or English. The maitre d’, Laurent, knows how to work the room, translating the French-only menu and specials board for anyone who asks, joking around with returning French speaking customers and speeding up or slowing down his French, making everyone feel at home. Is this really Paris? No wonder he gets such high ratings on Trip Advisor.
The menu is mostly traditional French with old favorite recipes such as Grandma’s stuffed cabbage alongside more playful, inventive specials such as mussels with shell pasta, chanterelle mushrooms and cherries. A light and interesting mix of flavors and textures.
Or try the boudin noir cappuccino off the regular menu – for me the highlight of the meal. The warm blood sausage mixture, rich and earthy, is served in a large cappuccino cup and topped with an intense melon foam. A perfect marriage of flavors; each standing up on its own and yet interplaying beautifully.
For the second course – also off the specials board – we tasted the fillet of haddock, perfectly cooked with lemon and thyme and served on a bed of spring vegetables, and the fricassee of monk fish with shrimp, baby bok choy and fava beans in a light flavorful cream sauce laced with basil oil.
The deserts were equally delightful. A creamy lemon and rosemary crème brûlée with the exquisite contrast of crackling caramelized sugar with the silky custard, and a peach soup made with luscious sweet white peaches in a light syrup and garnished with dollop of vanilla ice cream. A perfect ending on a warm Paris evening.
So come to Le Florimond for the food, stay for the fun and leave with happy memories.
For links to all the posts in this series see the Other Destinations in France page.