Le P'tit Laurent: Report

[Euonymous]

My DH and I had dinner at Le P’tit Laurent last night and enjoyed it very much. The place is tiny and quite beautiful. There are some tables along the street-side windows (I didn’t count, but I’m guessing something like eight or ten. Then a bar behind that that can seat maybe eight. There’s a gorgeous pressed tin ceiling and lovely, art deco style hanging lights.

At about 6:15 on a Saturday night it was packed. We had been unable to secure reservations so we sat at the bar, which is a little bit cramped (okay, maybe a lot cramped) but otherwise nice. We started with French onion soup for me and the soup of the day (spinach with potato) for DH. The onion soup was fine but nothing particularly special. The spinach soup was divine, kind of like pureed leek and potato soup with spinach and a good amount of cream added.

Next, the charming bartender told us about the special of the day, braised lamb shank over swiss chard. “It’s delicious,” she said, “I know because that’s what we had tonight!” DH ordered the cassoulet and I ordered the lamb shank. I have to say if this is what the staff is eating for their staff meal they could do a whole lot worse. More likely they just got to taste it.

The lamb was a gargantuan-sized shank that my husband proclaimed to be somewhat Fred Flintstone-ish looking. It was a bit of a challenge to get the meat off the bone without poking the guy sitting next to me in the eye with it, but I managed. The meat was like butter, so tender, but still with the intense flavor that lamb shank delivers. The swiss chard went very well with the lamb and sauce.

My husband loved his cassoulet. He says the sausages and duck confit were both delicious. I was too wrapped up in my lamb to really pay much attention to it. The only thing I noted was that I think they do a better job of cooking the beans at Chapeau!

We went home with more than half of the lamb shank in a box for lunch.

The bill for this with one Chimay, one Kronenbourg (both on tap), and a glass of house Pinot Noir was $74.05 after tax but before tip.

[susancinsf]

Thanks for the report....I've been meaning to try that cassoulet; sounds like I should!

Adding a link.

[Euonymous]

Just make sure to get a reservation before you go. From your past reports, I'm sure you won't like the bar seating.

[susancinsf]

I've been; and no I wouldn't like the bar seating, but I haven't found reservations necessary on weeknights. That could change as the word gets out, it is a very good value.

There is a link to my prior report in the places link.

[susancinsf]

sure enough, hubby and I walked by last night (Wednesday) at about 7:15 p.m., and it was packed to the gills with people waiting. Yes, I would recommend reservations...

[Calvinist]

Thanks Euonymous. After walking by during the day I really want to go here! The decor and scale looked great for the location, like they knew what they were doing.

[Bruce in SLO]

We visited a few months ago and truly enjoyed our cassolet.
Our friends had been there more recently and said their seafood special was outstanding.
I want to try the lamb shanks next visit. They also have a value priced $19.95 pre fixe
special Week nights.

[sugartoof]

Just wondering, did they serve the thick uneven slices of store bought salami to the table with the bread? It was the most peculiar thing. That and our waitress putting on a fake french accent. I clearly had a very different experience, or they've stepped up their game.

[Euonymous]

We received two standard-issue slices of salami and two cornichon before we ordered, which I thought was very nice.

[sugartoof]

I had never seen a salami plate served at a french place. Is there a tradition there I'm not familiar with?

I'm not entirely sure what standard-issue slices are, but what we were served sure looked and tasted like it was sliced from a 6" supermarket salami, earlier in the day during prep.

[Cary]

Any thoughts on their wine list and dessert menu?

[Euonymous]

We didn't look at the wine list and didn't order dessert. We looked at the menu, though, and I remember tart tatin, profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, and creme brulee.

[susancinsf]

I loved the profiteroles!

[yehfromthebay]

I had the seafood special a while back. It may have been halibut. Whatever the case is, it was a white fish. It was forgettable. My friend's steak was much tastier.

Whatever the case is, I asked for half of my enter to go and the server never came back with a doggie bag. Since I was with someone I hadn't seen in a long time, I didn't want to make a fuss but it irked me.

[sugartoof]

I also had the halibut, and wasn't really inspired to finish it either. My piece didn't taste fresh enough to bother taking home. We also had a very hard time getting the check and had to ask 2-3 times.