Le Chateaubriand – Paris

Le Chateaubriand – “A casual place for foodies”
Chef: Inaki Aizpitarte

Restaurant Le Chateaubriand in Paris is most probably one of the most blogged item. In between all the top 3 star rated restaurants in Paris, this hotspot gained the title as “the bistronomie creator”. Do different and act different! Le Chateaubriand, currently being honored as number 9 in the World’s 50 best Restaurants, has defeated all those top Parisian restaurants (even Ducasse) and is the only non star rated restaurant in the list.

The young Basque, Inaki Aizpitarte, is a self made chef following creativity, fantasy and improvisation. He gained experience in Tel Aviv and his numerous travels are visible in the multicultural touches and his way of cooking. Since 2006 he created a place in Paris where all friends can come and eat at a democratic menu price.

Having a reservation for this restaurant is advisable and booking a table is like a lottery and you need perseverance. Only bookable 3 weeks in advance and they work with a 7PM shift & 9.30PM shift. This Neo-classical bistro is not what you would expect from a top listed restaurant. It has hard chairs, blank bare tables and off course forget about table clothes. But food is anything but vintage; it’s just a casual place for foodies, cool and fun! The menu is a fix 5 course day menu, no supplements, no alternatives, no bullshit.

Le Chateaubriand ©Be-Gusto

Arriving at 7Pm we were one of the first and surprisingly here a service without real etiquette, no ceremony here. Hopefully we get the opposite in the degustation. The menu is rated at 55€ fix and glasses of wine can be order for 5€. In the extended wine list we see a lot of natural wines. A few amuses are served; Cheese puffs; seeded duck; ceviche of lime and fish.

The first course: squid in ink with different structures of carrots. Personally I love this dish, others did not so. The contrast of textures and intense flavors are excellent.

Encornet à l'encre ©Be-Gusto

As a second starter we were served the Blue fin tuna from Saint-Jean de Luz with greenery. A standout dish, perfect acidity.

Thon rouge ©Be-Gusto

Today served as the main course is Lamb with artichoke and anchovy. Surprising composition but for a main course a little too weak in my opinion.

Agneau de lait ©Be-Gusto

As a first dessert again a great refreshing moment: iced buttermilk with herbs and brown butter. A dish which symbolizes the ingenious play of the chef.

Lait ribot ©Be-Gusto

Our last dish was the most funny as mushrooms where served with Tannea extra bitter chocolate and lovage herbs. Not my favorite, too strange and raw mushrooms might taste better with my chocolate love but here he went too extreme for me. Meanwhile the line of hungry guests waiting for the second run gets longer and people already standing outside.

Champignon & Tannea ©Be-Gusto

We had a great meal and a returning question will definitely be answered with yes but if this restaurant and special concept deserved the top ten ranking in the list of world’s 50 best restaurants is for me more doubtful. Having visited the restaurant before I was for sure disappointed in the amuses, getting exactly the same when you have a so cold daily changing menu is not done. In fact his concept is so good that the atmosphere leads you in not being too critical and not expecting perfect techniques & great service but it just delivers the probably most important “ a great evening out” in bustling Paris for good value.

Readers that like Le Chateaubriand, try also Relae in Copenhagen, La Buvette in Brussels, De Veranda in Antwerp and J.E.F. & de Vitrine in Gent!

Le Chateaubriand
129 Avenue Parmentier, 75011 Paris, FR
TEl: +33 1 43.57.45.95
www.theworlds50best.com/awards/1-50-winners/le-chateaubriand
Sunday & Monday closed, dinner only
Be-Gusto score: 15/20
 
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