If Santa were a chef then he would be Joel Robuchon. After coming out of a semi-retirement over a year ago to open his appropriately named restaurant, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, this Santa has been gifting tasty morsels to the hungry masses from his workshop on Rue Montalembert.
Though the big dog was no where to be seen when we arrived at 9:00pm, his little elves were busily cooking away in the open kitchen, searing the Dover sole special of the evening and plating the twenty some odd tasting portions that are available every night. The verdict on our wait was an hour and a half. The young hostess took our cell phone number and we settled down for an aperitif at the Hotel Montalembert next door, to escape the bitter cold that has descended upon Paris.
Promptly an hour and half later we took our place at the bar, luckily securing two corner bar stools, more conducive for conversation and food sharing. With only bar seats, L'Atelier is best enjoyed as a couple, though a boisterous group of four Americans opposite us seemed to think that everyone wanted to hear their conversation.
Our waiter/bartender/sommelier suggested an aperitif. Maybe we said, a response he seemed to think warranted treating us to two glasses of champagne. So far the evening was a success and as we turned to the menu, scanning the small tasting plates and the larger entrees and plats, we had a feeling it was only going to get better.
Correct we were. An Italian inspired mille-feuille delighted our palettes with its fresh simplicity and basily essence. A fluffy ravioli of langoustine with truffles tasted of utter perfection, but sadly there was only one for us to share. I could have eaten three more but at 25 E for one, I erred on the side of restraint. Our mini lamb chops were delicious but uninspired, while the pigeon stuffed with foie gras, wrapped in cabbage and topped with a glistening piece of bacon ended the main portion of our meal on a high note.
We had ordered only four tasting plates at the suggestion of a waiter. Though satisfied, with room for dessert, we eyed the massive l'entrecote and steaming bowl of mussels that the twosome on our left had ordered, wondering if next time larger plates might be in order.
Two more complimentary glasses of wine arrived with our cheese plate, a selection of four, including a goat cheese from heaven and a creamy camembert. A baked apple with vanilla infused ice cream added that touch of sweetness to the end of the meal, just what we needed.
It certainly had felt like Christmas tonight. While we had paid dearly for some of our gifts and had graciously accepted the generosity of others, dining at L'Atelier had definitely made us feel like kids again. We bid adieu to our waiter and the young hostess lingering over the near empty restaurant and braved the bitter cold outside. But after a meal like this one, we felt a little warmer.
Ieat food and cook my own meet, THE WORLD IS GOING TO BLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: fat man | May 14, 2006 at 09:10 PM