(5 Rue de Pontoise, 5th) is ironically a fitting start to our culinary journey through Paris. It was by happenstance we ate here since Frenchie didn't have a record of my reservation. I am not too convinced their current system is working, as the chef there also answers the telephones and only takes reservations during certain undisclosed hours. Again something not detailed in the NY Times review.
Earlier that afternoon, Musee Galliera was closed for renovation. Our recourse was to stroll the immediate area and find soup for Annie. Have you ever tried finding an open restaurant after 2pm in Paris? Forget it. While strolling through the 16th arrondissement, I received a phone call to confirm my reservation for an inaudibly heard restaurant. I reversed traced it through google and vaguely remembered reading about it.
Itineraires can be found in the Latin Quarter off Saint-Germain, a small modern bistro run by husband and wife team Sylvain and Sarah Sendra. Their claim is creative cuisine. Their presentation is young, and slightly reminiscent of Blue Hill. There was a fair amount of American tourists there, despite reading it was a popular venue for the French... maybe around 9 or 10pm. We found we eat "early" for Paris time. It felt like New York, like a quaint restaurant you would find in Soho.
Entree (appetizer):Terrine de legumes printaniers, condiment carotte-galangal, poudre de caille de chevre, huile de noisette (Fresh vegetable terrine, carrot & ginger sauce, powder of fresh goat curds, hazelnut oil)
It was like a mosaic and the flavor was just as flat. Once you get past the gelatinous goo holding the crudite vegetables together, you sumise the best part of the dish was the onion and the partially frozen goat "curds."
Plat du Jour (Annie):Filet of Some-Fish w/ a Zucchini & Beet "Roulade"
Annie felt the fish was good, but a small portion.
Plat (Zena):Cote de veau francaise cuite en cocotte, pommes rattes confites dans la graisse d'oie, ail en chemise
(+15 E) (French Veal Chop casserole, baked potatoes & confit garlic)
Remember the word, "Cocotte," as it will take on a life its own in later posts.
Personally, I thought this dish was delicious. The garlic confit really highlighted the sweetness of the veal. The potatoes were crispy, savory. The herbs really gave the dish a fresh flavor. Portion was huge. Completely took off guard when I got the bill. In my excitement to eat my first meal, I didn't notice the 15 Euro supplement. I also had (2) glasses of wine.
Dessert (Zena):
Dessert (Zena):Mon Gateau au chocolat noir, noisette-praline (My black chocolate cake, hazelnut and praline)
Itineraires version of a deconstructed chocolate cake. I really enjoyed this, great contrasting textures. The praline crumble was very good.
Dessert Du Jour (Annie): Stewed Cherries w/ Fromage Blanc Sorbet
Just a bowl of warm cherries done right! Totally in season and slightly sweetened. The sorbet was light, w a touch of acidity making it not an overpowering dessert.
The waitress told us it is a traditional French dessert.
Damage: 3-course Prefixe (36 Euro), 2-Course Prefixe (32 Euro).
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