Yikes. If a wine was corked I would have definitely said something. I did interview a Paris sommelier recently for my podcast and he's going to be a post to talk about ordering wine in Paris, and what to do if something like that happens.
Kent and I savored your lunch with Jane. Kent was making the dough for breadsticks and continually running over to where I was reading your post aloud. The photos surprised us and the creativity and nuance to form and color delighted us. I doubt we will ever get to Tour d’Argent, as our visits are to our daughter and her partner. Ponying up for four of us would be just a bit over budget. Thanks to you we having setting and dishes visually, and are left to imagine the ambiance, aromas, and tastes. Wonderful post. Many thanks.
Got to thinking about that heavy wine list book and recalled one almost as big at a small obscure restaurant called New Sammy's Cowboy Bistro in Talent, OR. The owner eventually took a shine to my husband's enthusiasm for wine and we enjoyed way too many of his recommendations that night. He took us back to the kitchen to meet his chef wife because we were enthralled by her food. If you have time look up their fascinating story "The Treacherous Journey of Vernon and Charlene Rollins" at seanelder.com..The Rollins had ties to Chez Panisse. Cheers, Kate
I was taken there by my then boyfriend's parents (1970s). I remember being wowed by the setting and the meal, but alas, I think I was too young to really understand the quality of the meal. This year, we are celebrating our 80th birthdays and 50th wedding anniversary by going to Ducasse-Baccarat for lunch with a very dear French friend who is also exactly our age. The setting looks stunning. Any thoughts?
I've been there but only as a guest, for a tasting of pastries and some cocktails. (My friend Margot created the cocktails for them.) The chef is very talented but I haven't eaten there so can't comment on the food or the experience.
Happy belated birthday! I always wanted to dine at La Tour but getting a rez. never worked out. Please tell me what the small footstool-like thingee is in the photo..it's between you & Jane.
Is it for madam's purse? Dog? LOL,,, Kate here in way too near (as in 25 miles) a certain felon's home in Palm Beach.
Re your request for suggestions for next year's birthday celebration:
Yes, I know you don't cross the river unless absolutely necessary, but Kigawa, on an unprepossessing block of rue du Château, is a find. The chef and the staff are Japanese, the food is French. Lunch €55, dinner €95. It's tiny; maybe 20 covers max.
We were chatting with a man and his adult daughter at the next table. The man, a longtime resident of the neighborhood and clearly someone who Knows His Food, said he thinks Kigawa is one of the best restaurants in Paris, but you pay half of what you would elsewhere because it's not étoilé.
I'm half regretting posting this, as it'll now probably be more difficult to reserve a table. But I've never known a restaurant owner to turn down good reviews.
I think next year you two should go on an overnight trip to Narbonne and eat at Les Grandes Buffets and then tell us all about it. You’ll need to get your reservation in now for next year!
It was at La Toru d'Argent that I learned the true value of a professional sommelier, I took one look at their wine tome and asked him to keep it under 150€. I ended up with a great wine that paired perfectly with my meal. I have since done that elsewhere in France when confronted with a daunting selection and have never been disappointed.
That was our hope as well. She proposed two wines and we made the wrong choice, unfortunately. Not sure if someone else would've liked that wine and while it was just okay, it would have been a nice to have something else. Next time, I think I'd order a wine off the lunch menu suggestions.
Happy birthday to you both! I loved Jane’s recent book. I dined at La Tour D’Argent with my mother when I just got out of school. Back then, you had to write for a reservation and then call when you arrived in Paris to confirm. We dressed nicely, and arrived to find we were the only table of women. It was all businessmen and wealthy looking couples. We were originally given an okay table, but then maître d’ reseated us at a table against the window with a gorgeous view of Notre Dame. The food and service were terrific, and the maître returned to ask whether we enjoyed it. My mum put her hand on her heart and said dramatically, “Monsieur, I die happy.” “Oh, no, Madame!” he replied.
Happy birthday David and thanks for this delightful recounting of your celebratory lunch. I was taken to La Tour in my early twenties, so many moons ago now that I have barely any recollection of the experience other than being somewhat overwhelmed by it all. I didn't know much about food back then and in retrospect wish I had been able to appreciate it more. But the food looks beautiful, and being an egg person I especially loved the Mystery Egg. I wonder how they do that. BTW I read and loved Jane Bertch's book The French Ingredient about her cooking school in Paris. And all the best to you and Romain for the new year...:)
Hi David - for your and Jane’s birthdays, if you determine to do an adventurous trip and return to our San Francisco Bay Area, you should introduce Jane to lovely Cotogna in SF. I had an amazing dinner there last week, and everything was perfect. (I recall that you were seated at the bar). For dinner my wife and I started with a sformato- a sunchoke and pecorino Romano fonduto, then pappardelle wild mushroom and caciocavallo, then Half Moon Bay rockfish with mussels, squid, fregola and fennel. For dessert a yummy chocolate gelato. It’s great being a subscriber to your Substack.
I had an amazing lunch at Cotogna last time I was in San Francisco for another friend's birthday. Everything was absolutely delicious. One of my favorites
My sister and brother in law had lunch there today (same price fixe menu) they loved it
We celebrate our 50th anniversary and enjoyed the food and presentations
had a wonderful table with a great view
Our wine experience was exactly the same as you had. Very disappointing . Left a bad taste,
no pun intended, at those wine price and going with the sommelier recommendations we
expected a better experience. Disappointed that no one seemed to care about the poor
wines, and one of which was corked
Yikes. If a wine was corked I would have definitely said something. I did interview a Paris sommelier recently for my podcast and he's going to be a post to talk about ordering wine in Paris, and what to do if something like that happens.
Kent and I savored your lunch with Jane. Kent was making the dough for breadsticks and continually running over to where I was reading your post aloud. The photos surprised us and the creativity and nuance to form and color delighted us. I doubt we will ever get to Tour d’Argent, as our visits are to our daughter and her partner. Ponying up for four of us would be just a bit over budget. Thanks to you we having setting and dishes visually, and are left to imagine the ambiance, aromas, and tastes. Wonderful post. Many thanks.
Got to thinking about that heavy wine list book and recalled one almost as big at a small obscure restaurant called New Sammy's Cowboy Bistro in Talent, OR. The owner eventually took a shine to my husband's enthusiasm for wine and we enjoyed way too many of his recommendations that night. He took us back to the kitchen to meet his chef wife because we were enthralled by her food. If you have time look up their fascinating story "The Treacherous Journey of Vernon and Charlene Rollins" at seanelder.com..The Rollins had ties to Chez Panisse. Cheers, Kate
I was taken there by my then boyfriend's parents (1970s). I remember being wowed by the setting and the meal, but alas, I think I was too young to really understand the quality of the meal. This year, we are celebrating our 80th birthdays and 50th wedding anniversary by going to Ducasse-Baccarat for lunch with a very dear French friend who is also exactly our age. The setting looks stunning. Any thoughts?
I've been there but only as a guest, for a tasting of pastries and some cocktails. (My friend Margot created the cocktails for them.) The chef is very talented but I haven't eaten there so can't comment on the food or the experience.
Thanks for the shared info.
Happy belated birthday! I always wanted to dine at La Tour but getting a rez. never worked out. Please tell me what the small footstool-like thingee is in the photo..it's between you & Jane.
Is it for madam's purse? Dog? LOL,,, Kate here in way too near (as in 25 miles) a certain felon's home in Palm Beach.
Such a lovely lunch.
Had a recipe book where the semi-famous baker had included tonka bean in the "traditional stollen." (!)
Yea no, there will be no tonka bean anywhere near my stollen.
agreed!
Buon compleanno, David! What a lovely way to celebrate.
Re your request for suggestions for next year's birthday celebration:
Yes, I know you don't cross the river unless absolutely necessary, but Kigawa, on an unprepossessing block of rue du Château, is a find. The chef and the staff are Japanese, the food is French. Lunch €55, dinner €95. It's tiny; maybe 20 covers max.
We were chatting with a man and his adult daughter at the next table. The man, a longtime resident of the neighborhood and clearly someone who Knows His Food, said he thinks Kigawa is one of the best restaurants in Paris, but you pay half of what you would elsewhere because it's not étoilé.
I'm half regretting posting this, as it'll now probably be more difficult to reserve a table. But I've never known a restaurant owner to turn down good reviews.
I've been known to cross the river from time-to-time (my dr. is over there and so is Tour d'Argent) so thanks for the tip!
I think next year you two should go on an overnight trip to Narbonne and eat at Les Grandes Buffets and then tell us all about it. You’ll need to get your reservation in now for next year!
It was at La Toru d'Argent that I learned the true value of a professional sommelier, I took one look at their wine tome and asked him to keep it under 150€. I ended up with a great wine that paired perfectly with my meal. I have since done that elsewhere in France when confronted with a daunting selection and have never been disappointed.
That was our hope as well. She proposed two wines and we made the wrong choice, unfortunately. Not sure if someone else would've liked that wine and while it was just okay, it would have been a nice to have something else. Next time, I think I'd order a wine off the lunch menu suggestions.
Happy birthday to you both! I loved Jane’s recent book. I dined at La Tour D’Argent with my mother when I just got out of school. Back then, you had to write for a reservation and then call when you arrived in Paris to confirm. We dressed nicely, and arrived to find we were the only table of women. It was all businessmen and wealthy looking couples. We were originally given an okay table, but then maître d’ reseated us at a table against the window with a gorgeous view of Notre Dame. The food and service were terrific, and the maître returned to ask whether we enjoyed it. My mum put her hand on her heart and said dramatically, “Monsieur, I die happy.” “Oh, no, Madame!” he replied.
Zuckerberg's $900 watch and a home haircut, probably by Dr. Precilla, is amazing.
wait $9,000 watch correction
It was $900,000
😮😮
omg Jane!!! So lovely to see your face!! <3 What a fun and lovely experience.
Happy birthday David and thanks for this delightful recounting of your celebratory lunch. I was taken to La Tour in my early twenties, so many moons ago now that I have barely any recollection of the experience other than being somewhat overwhelmed by it all. I didn't know much about food back then and in retrospect wish I had been able to appreciate it more. But the food looks beautiful, and being an egg person I especially loved the Mystery Egg. I wonder how they do that. BTW I read and loved Jane Bertch's book The French Ingredient about her cooking school in Paris. And all the best to you and Romain for the new year...:)
Hi David - for your and Jane’s birthdays, if you determine to do an adventurous trip and return to our San Francisco Bay Area, you should introduce Jane to lovely Cotogna in SF. I had an amazing dinner there last week, and everything was perfect. (I recall that you were seated at the bar). For dinner my wife and I started with a sformato- a sunchoke and pecorino Romano fonduto, then pappardelle wild mushroom and caciocavallo, then Half Moon Bay rockfish with mussels, squid, fregola and fennel. For dessert a yummy chocolate gelato. It’s great being a subscriber to your Substack.
Thanks - glad you're enjoying the newsletter!
I had an amazing lunch at Cotogna last time I was in San Francisco for another friend's birthday. Everything was absolutely delicious. One of my favorites