Paris Observations

A few places that pleased this last trip.

• Camelia (1st): Guy Martin's bistro at the Mandarin, absolutely perfect for a summer day as there is a quiet terrace in the courtyard of the hotel. Highlights were an open ravioli with dressed turtle meat, a squid ink orzo with a lemongrass and ginger emulsion and braised summer greens.
• Les Boquinistes (6th): a Guy Savoy bistrot on the Quai des Grands Augustins, a good standby and bargain if in the neighborhood and craving a table with a view. Our meal wasn't extraordinary but very good quality. Best dish was an amuse bouche of cold pea soup and whipped almond cream.
• Brasserie Thoumieux (7th): a pleasant surprise; what used to be a tired old brasserie and hotel is now the bistrot of Jean-Francoise Piege's (ex-Crillion and Ducasse) more elaborate two star restaurant upstairs. Thoumieux focuses on comfort food, including a unique calamari carbonara which I will reproduce soon, essentially a spaghetti carbonara replacing the pasta with long slices of squid. Michelle had an Asian-inspired broth with cod, cilantro and tiny cubes of foie gras. Unexpected and fun. The dessert of banana, vacherin glace and lime foam was also fresh and fun.