The Best French Restaurants III

                                        By Alain Neyman

       His informative Parisian restaurant site can be found at: 
                                 http://www.lesrestos.com

Many passionate things are going on in Paris at this time:

 Citrus Etoile

The opening of the CITRUS ETOILE restaurant, on the 24^th of August 2005, marks the arrival of Gilles Epié, that magnificent chef who has worked several years in California.  He has returned with his wife Elisabeth, a modeling star from the Elite agency.  The menu features le saumon d’Ecosse marinated like herring, rack of roasted lamb in a baked nut flower shell with parmesan and for dessert, coconut ice cream.  There is also a wine shop for outside sales.  There you have it, a rendez-vous for those who love eating.

The à la carte menu from 35 to 60 €.  Open everyday except Saturday noon and Sundays.

CITRUS ETOILE – 6, Rue Arsène-Houssaye – 75008 Paris – Tel:  01 42 89 15 51

Stella Maris

Gourmets and big eaters, here is THE table that you’ll love.  Whenever I ask the question to those around me, the name of Chef Tateru Yoshino is cited and STELLA MARIS always figures in the list of the top great eateries.  I can confirm that; I have adored their “Di Reggiano”, the risotto aux asperges vertes and parmesan, the slice of turbot rôti côté, pan fried English style with cream of lobster and the Mont blanc of the house accompanied by a half pound of glazed chestnuts.  The clean lines of the décor are superb, the hanging bouquets are furniture-like and the service is tactful and loving.

Menus for 43 and 85 €; à la carte from 75 to 110 €.  Open everyday except Saturday noon and Sunday. 

STELLA MARIS – 4, Rue Arsène-Houssaye – 75008 Paris – Tel:  01 42 89 16 22

Le Bamboche

On the Right-bank, near the department store “Le Bon Marché”, LE BAMBOCHE has been taken over by two young Chefs, Serge Arce and Philippe Fabert who have brilliantly installed themselves under a rural-like gourmet listing.  They’ve made us discover the dragées de saumon with green French beans and medallions of glazed lobster, the duck à la poivrade d'artichaut and for dessert, parfait made with passion fruit and roasted mangos.  Their ‘beautiful’ wine menu is lightly priced.   The two clear and comfortable dining rooms are a sanctuary of pleasure.

Menus for 28 and 35 €; à la carte from 39 to 70 €.  Open every day except Sunday noon.

LE BAMBOCHE – 15, Rue de Babylone – 75007 Paris – Tel:  01 45 49 14 40

Market

The Parisian address of Jean Georges Vongerichten is perfect for chic dining without without financial ruin.  It must be said that the menu being used by Wim Van Gorp, the MARKET’S chef, sets forth remarkably refined specialties; come and taste the foie gras brûlé à la fraise, raviolis made from corn flower grilled with salad tomatoes mixed with basil, le cabillaud and its purple potatoes with spicy green pepper juice and cherry cheese cake.  You are cordially welcomed and the service is formidably pleasant.  The dining rooms and terrace are elegant and comfortable, all swollen with Parisians from all over the world.

Menu for 32 €; à la carte from 36 to 75 €.  Open every day.

MARKET – 15, Avenue Matignon – 75008 Paris – Tel:  01 56 43 40 90

L’Ami Marcel

Witness the arrival of L’AMI MARCEL with Johanna and Eric Martins, a young couple in charge of this exemplary bistro that is worthy of its success.  In the kitchen, Jean-Luc Beaufils, formerly of the Ritz, creates for les noix de coquilles Saint-Jacques à la tombée d'endives à l'orange accompanied by a crème of carrots and lamb shoulder with a confite made with onions and roasted fruit.  For dessert, I have liked the roasted pineapple à la vanille gousse et pain d'épices toasté.  The wines have been chosen with great carefulness.  The ambience is that of an animated, friendly bistro.

Menus for 16 and 21 €; menu-carte for 29 €.  Open every day except Saturday noon and Sunday.

L’AMI MARCEL – 33, Rue Georges Pitard – 75015 Paris – Tel:  01 48 56 62 06

Point Bar

The Saint-Honoré market area is somewhat of a gourmet’s village where one comes to revue shop windows of the restaurants that are nestled together elbow to elbow.  The arrival of Alice Bardet – the daughter of Jean Bardet the stared Chef – and the opening of the POINT BAR with its modern décor has not passed unnoticed.  The meals that are served are made with talent, such as the tempuras de gambas, the poitrine de cochon that melts in your mouth, the riz au lait covered with caramel or the pineapple macaroons.  Very chic, good and light dishes for their business women clientele.

Menu for 15 €; à la carte from 26 to 40 €.  Open every day except Sunday.

POINT BAR – 40, Place du Marché Saint-Honoré  - 75001 Paris – Tel:  01 42 61 76 28

Dominique Bouchet

Rumor had it that, after leaving the upper ranks of the prestigious Les Ambassadeurs restaurant in the Hôtel de Crillon, he set up a restaurant in Japan.  But, it’s in Paris that DOMINIQUE BOUCHET opened his own establishment to the delight of his admirers.  The great Chef offers an admirably classic cuisine made with products of the highest quality.  Come for the duck foie gras au naturel, the leg of lamb that’s basted for seven hours, or the aiguillettes de canette.  For dessert, let yourself be tempted by the hot soufflé au Grand-Marnier.   The elegant dining room, paneled with blond wood, welcomes the chic international clientel.

À la carte for 30 to 60 €.  Open every day except Saturday and Sunday.

DOMINIQUE BOUCHET – 11, Rue Treilhard – 75008 Paris – Tel:  01 45 61 09 46

Flora

Gastronomy and Prestige make a good couple at avenue George V; the presence of FLORA is appreciated by the lovers of provençal cuisine and good products.  This salon style restaurant, managed by the impeccably precise and smiling Raphaël, innovative with his gastronomic fixed price menus.   Try the pissaladière de thon confit, the Saint Pierre en barigoule d'artichaut and for dessert, baked peach with lavender ice cream.  At Flora Mikula’s -  former assistant to the stared chef Alain Passard – lots of good things are happening.

Menus at 26, 34 and 60 €; à la carte from 40 to 80 €.  Open daily, except Saturday noon and Sunday.

FLORA – 36, Avenue George V – 75008 Paris – Tel:  01 40 70 10 49 

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