Auberge de la Reine Blanche?
 

I read on here before the holidays that this little favorite of mine on the Ile St. Louis had changed ownership and name. Has anyone been there since that? It was on my list for my sister-in-law (her first time to Paris!) and me in March.

Uh-oh, tell me it ain't so!! A real favorite of mine too. Hope it hasn't changed, but the incredible friendliness of the family and staff made the place what it is. Do the still have the birds?

Do THEY still have the birds, was the question.

Please be mistaken! I love the place and plan to have a meal there in April.
Judy C

I was sure I read something about this in Nov./Dec., but I am unable to find the thread. Maybe it was a bad dream!

patrick, no more birds. they were the plat du jour on December 27.

My brother ate there over the Thanksgiving Holiday and the name had not changed at that point, however I can not testify as to ownership.

earl30, you are soooo baaaaddddd. At least I hope they served them with a good sauce in one of those nice individual copper pots.

We were there in November and had a lovely meal. Whether or not it has changed hands I don't know , but the staff was very helpful and the food very good.

Grandmere, AlanM1 reported in early December that he had eaten there and that the staff/atmosphere had changed; although another poster said he went a week later and only the waiter had changed.

For the complete thread, click on your name and look at response #45 for "Paris Trip Report."

I have a MAC and can't figure out how to insert threads (or links) here, sorry.

This is very sad. ARB was one of my "must go" places whenever I end up in Paris. Last time I spent a week there and went for dinner twice. Might have been better places, but the great straight forward food never failed to please. And the friendly lady running the place will be missed, friendly and interested...I still remember her going outside to offer a glass of kir to people who were waiting outside to get in for their reservation.
Suggestions for my next "favorite, homey" restaurant?

Mike

Try Chez Fernand on Rue Christine..we had really good food there and the staff , though hardly anyone spoke much English was delightful1

As I said above , we had a great time At ARB in November ...so I wouldn't cross it off my list if I were you

If this is true, it borders on tragedy.
This is one of our favorite restaurants in Paris. Sigh!

Thanks, Mvor; that was the thread I was searching for. When I google L'Alcantara, I get some references to un bar lesbien, somewhere else in Paris.

Anyone else been to the Ile St. Louis site since it's become L'Alcantara?

Hi grandmere, I'm not sure if we know definitively that the restaurant has changed owners. I still plan to go in February and will report back what I find.

Meanwhile, hopefully we'll hear from some of the many people who took Christmas/NYE trips (although I haven't seen too many reports yet). Or perhaps a kindly Parisian will enlighten us.

Maureen

The old ARB website no longer exists, or at least I can't find it.
I'll be eager to hear what you find in Feb., Mvor. And, as you say, others may add something before then.

All right, grandmere... I'm off to London this evening and will be in Paris on Monday. I'll accept the assignment and check on the infamous ARB to see if it still exists. Since I never ate at the establishment, was it located on Rue St. Louis en I'lle? Was it next to Berthillon's? I know it's just a couple of blocks so an exact address would be helpful. I'll try to get the scoop on this mystery. Cheers...

Merci, Treesa! I don't remember the exact address on the rue St. Louis en l'Ile, but on another thread I see it as being at #30.
Now we'll have the definitive answer: name/ownership change or not, birds still living and breathing, miniature furniture adorning the walls, etc. Have a wonderful trip!