Now l'ami Jean has been written up in the NY Times (after, I should note, Katy and I went there for my birthday last year), so it's not really a secret. But it's also not really well known - even by Parisians. An unassuming Basque pub-like restaurant, it's hidden away on a dark and quiet street in la septieme (7th) arronidissement, not far from the Eiffel Tower. Walk in and you'd think you were just in a noisy and smokey neighborhood bar. But sit down for some food...zut alors! If you can get a reservation, you're in for a treat.
Sophie and I waxed philosophical about l'ami Jean's respect for terroir and the sophistication of their preparation. What really blew me away was that Sophie actually worked there for a while as a line cook! Wow. What a job. What a coincidence. She's my hero.
Although l'ami Jean looks like a smoky pub, the food preparation and presentation are more like you would expect in a Michelin 2-star restaurant. The problem with the whole star rating (and Sophie would back me up on this), is that Michelin factors in sophisticated service and room design into their ratings. So what happens? The highest-rated restaurants tend to be hush-hush quiet and reserved, elegantly designed, and...well...frankly, not that comfortable - you just can't relax and enjoy your food and your company and exclaim "Mon Dieu! Cette foie est magnifique!!!". Or however you would properly say that in French (my apologies to all true francophones).
Ahhhh...I am definitely looking forward to a dinner there with Pierre and Sophie while I'm residing dans la cite d'amour in a few semaines! Merci Iana!
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