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L'Ardoise Review

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L'Ardoise

$$, Bistro, Beaubourg/Les Halles

User Rating: **** 4.0

Fodor's Review:

This minuscule storefront painted white and decorated with enlargements of old sepia postcards of Paris is a model of the contemporary bistros making waves in Paris. Chef Pierre Jay's first-rate three-course dinner menu for EUR 31 tempts with such original dishes as mushroom and foie gras ravioli with smoked duck, farmer's pork with porcini mushrooms, and red mullet with creole sauce (you can also order à la carte, but it's less of a bargain). Just as enticing are the desserts, such as a superb feuillantine au citron -- caramelized pastry leaves filled with lemon cream and lemon slices -- and a boozy baba au rhum. With friendly waiters and a small but well-chosen wine list, L'Ardoise would be perfect if it weren't often crowded and noisy.

Member Reviews & Ratings:

A real treasure

Posted by MAP from Missouri, USA on 3/25/08

We ate here at Pauline Frommer's rec. and it was superb. It was crowded, but we just walked in at around 1:30 PM. My chicken breast in brown sauce was perfect, and the thin, crispy sauteed potatoes in butter beyond description! I will absolutely return.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 4.0

SERVICE: 4.0

VALUE: 5.0

RATING: 4.6

Not sure if this restaurant still exists

Posted by David from Chicago on 10/7/06

We were in Paris for a week in September 2006, and tried several times to eat at this restaurant. The first time, which was on a Monday night, we found the restaurant completely shuttered, and it didn't look "just shut for the night". However, we found a wonderful, wonderful restaurant just a few doors down called La Souffle, which we would highly recommend! Later in the week we called the number for L'Ardoise several times, and only got a recording that we couldn't quite understand (my French isn't strong enough to understand a fast-talking recording in French). If you find that L'Ardoise is not around, try La Souffle, you will be thrilled with your find!

FOOD: 3.0

ATMOSPHERE: 3.0

SERVICE: 3.0

VALUE: 3.0

RATING: 3.0

Delicious

Posted by Elizabeth from Minneapolis, MN on 8/28/06

My husband and I loved this restaurant. We had an excellent monkfish and loved the Millefeuille dessert and sorbet. With a reasonable bottle of wine the meal was just over 100Euro. The staff of two was very accomodating and spoke excellent English. Only draw back was the bright lighting, should have been dimmed for better atmosphere

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 3.0

SERVICE: 5.0

VALUE: 4.0

RATING: 4.4

ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF HOW FRENCH BISTRO FOOD SHOULD BE!

Posted by Ike from London,England on 5/16/06

For those not familiar with French cuisine this would probably be the best place to try it in Paris! Although the tables are close to each other the ambiance is cosy rather than cramped. All the dishes are constructed from fresh ingredients and many are accopanied by light sauces.Our bill for 4 came to Euro199 including 2 bottles of good quality wines.To me this represents overall good value!

FOOD: 4.0

ATMOSPHERE: 3.0

SERVICE: 3.0

VALUE: 5.0

RATING: 3.8

Go for the Millefeuille, stay for the lobster

Posted by Ellen from New Orleans, LA on 1/30/06

We had a delightful Sunday evening dinner here, complete with delicious escargo, lobster with black truffles, and fantastic desserts (do try the millefeuille- it's great). Our server could have been better, but, hey, it's Paris.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 4.0

SERVICE: 3.0

VALUE: 4.0

RATING: 4.2