It is, at the same time, a classic auberge you could tumble on in the Midi and a hip/quirky/Bobo joint in the 11th.
While awaiting my big stuff, I had a top-of-the-line tapenade slathered on terrific toasts and as an amuse gueule a veloute of surprisingly sweet carrots with cumin. So far, so good. Can they hold up?
The answer is a resounding "Yes." My warm langoustines and asparagus in a lukewarm smoky puree vers soup was outasight; my magret, which I forgot to specify should be underdone, was, and sliced, sat atop a mound of simply wonderful morsels of Grannies, pears, apricots and melon - atop that was a caramelized wafer of nuts which neither added to nor detracted from the dish (let it go guys!); and my strawberries with orange wedges and peel in a divine coulis topped off a great meal.
A note about the service. Using meaning #1 - the waitfolk - they were eager, attentive, enthusiastic, young and very unpolished in a most charming way, asking every few minutes if I was pleased (I do think they caller ID'd me, so I did get the best langoustines, duck breast and strawberries, but rank has its privilege). Under meaning #2 - delivery of dishes in a prompt but not rushed way - the kitchen rolled out the food in precisely the manner one looks and hopes for. So 3 stars there.
Go? Well, I left one happy boy; if it's good enough for me, it should be...........