521707 Thu May 22 11:24:47 -0700 2008 26 49 France 0 3712120 What's the verdict on Chez l'ami Louis? Is the roast chicken worth the trouble of begging for a reservation, trekking up to a questionable neighborhood and paying big Euros? Will be in Paris for 3 weeks with my 10 year-old (1st time in France for him) who is quite a gourmet for his age. We already have reservations at Le Pre Catalan and Le Jules Verne (we're going for the view). Of course, we plan to go to Christian Constant and Berthillon for ice cream. Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thu May 22 11:24:49 -0700 2008 132690 Aleta 1 3713122 Yes. Really good roast chicken is rare. I mean not easy to find. L'Ami Louis delivers. And the neighborhood is not questionable, if not inhabited by international law firms. That actualy is giving me ideas for my eight year old. Thu May 22 16:13:23 -0700 2008 3712120 96547 souphie 2 3713444 Thanks Souphie. Coming from you, a vote of confidence goes far. I'm curious, since you have a young child too, where do you usually take him for good meals in Paris? I tend to avoid the "child-friendly" listings because those are for families whose children can't sit still and appreciate good food. Apart from Le Pre Catalan and le Jules Verne, I plan to go to Mon Vieil Ami (we're staying on Ile Saint Louis), Le Souffle, Aux Charpentiers (swimming pool, Gerard Mulot, Pierre Herme before or after) and La Ferme St. Hubert. We might go to Bofinger but it's not high on my list. Sorry, this has turned into a different subject: where to take gourmet children for a gastro-cultural experience. Thu May 22 18:16:09 -0700 2008 3713122 132690 Aleta 3 3713656 We had a fine meal at La Table Robuchon and there were 2 little girls ( maybe 5 and 8 yo) at the next table so very well mannered and treated so well by staff.. they were dressed elegantly as only children in Paris are dressed ... a lovely evening for that family... and I am sure a culinary delight for the little girls Thu May 22 19:58:16 -0700 2008 3713444 11784 capeanne 4 3713721 Good to know about La Table de J. Robuchon, thanks. I made an online request there last week but haven't heard back. I wish my son could be elegantly dressed too but I'm not THAT lucky! Perhaps some French couture will rub off on him. Thu May 22 20:35:14 -0700 2008 3713656 132690 Aleta 3 3714061 I find that for small kids, time is of the essence. Most places in Paris are child-friendly. I would not go to one that is not. But sitting for hours is tough for kids, often. Le Pré-Catelan or la Grande Cascade of course have the huge advantage that there are tons of room and kids can go play outside safely. When I take my kids fine dining, I take them separately and one-on-one preferrably, because then it is quality time and they really enjoy it. I find that they have taste very close to mine: hey like simple and delicious things. In general too I would favour places that are going out of their way so that you have fun, as opposed to the ones who consider that you are lucky eating with them. Fri May 23 04:18:47 -0700 2008 3713444 96547 souphie 4 3716621 I have heard how expensive L'Ami Louis is, but I am curious exactly how much it costs for a meal there. How much is the famous rotisserie chicken...the foie gras...dinner for two? I have searched online for a menu, and could not find one. Fri May 23 20:26:32 -0700 2008 3714061 22775 fishskis 5 3716981 It's not that bad. Count 150 for food for two. In this video, François Simon got two bottles on top of it: http://francoissimon.typepad.fr/simonsays/2007/10/pour-en-finir-a.html Sat May 24 04:40:19 -0700 2008 3716621 96547 souphie 6 3718407 Thanks for the video! Actually not as expensive as I imagined. I assumed it was more like 125-150 euro per person based upon stories I have heard. Sat May 24 18:53:57 -0700 2008 3716981 22775 fishskis 7 3719324 I found an interesting article from Le Figaro, Oct. 2007 regarding roast chicken in Paris. It also counts L'Ami Louis as #1 but, for serious roast chicken lovers, it provides some other options worth considering. http://www.lefigaro.fr/assets/pdf/classement_poulets_rotis.pdf Sun May 25 10:26:10 -0700 2008 3718407 132690 Aleta 8 3719924 The first time I had Bresse chicken was at George Blanc; a true standard for all to be compared against. Actually, chicken at almost any place in France will be far superior to what we get in the US. Trader Joe's being a fine exception. Sun May 25 16:27:34 -0700 2008 3719324 19129 Oakglen 9 5144650 I might bite the bullet and visit L'Ami Louis (the price and their arrogance are the 2 things that have put me off for a while). Am I right that the best dishes to order here are the foie gras, escargots and roast chicken? Any particular dessert to order? Sat Oct 31 02:37:28 -0700 2009 3719924 108016 theskyflyer 10 5144655 This is starting a very old post, but WTH,l am going to L'Ami Louis tomorrow. Have been in the past and feel it is worth it. For entrees will get the escargots and scallops, and for plat split in choice order the baby lamb, the cotes du boeuf, or the chicken, one of those should suffice. A decent but not too expensive bottle with no dessert should bring tab to between 300-400€. The most essential order is the gateau of potatoes, pommes frites there are not too good, but this potato cake is indeed great. The foié is two large slabs that could feed 6 easily and to finish, any small party will fill themselves up at the beginning of the meal very rapidly. If you want foié get the whole roasted one at L'Ami Jean, wonderful. Dessert always seems to be berries and cream, does not interest me. Sat Oct 31 03:02:29 -0700 2009 5144650 71113 Delucacheesemonger 10 5146256 I disagree with DCM (and with John, big time). I think despite its fame, the chicken is not the best thing they do. The cote de boeuf, or whatever lamb or mutton they have that day, is, imo, much more interesting. While I agree that the galette de pommes de terres is very excellent, I think their very thin pommes frites are very interesting. By any mean, skip their gateau au chocolat. And I also agree that desserts are fruits -- which you should get because they're excellent, just like every ingredient at l'Ami Louis. People who think a roast chicken is a roast chicken should not even think about going to l'Ami Louis, that said. Sun Nov 01 01:53:52 -0700 2009 5144650 96547 souphie 11 5146275 What do you disagree with? The two times l had the pommes frites, they were very thin, greasy and STONE COLD Sun Nov 01 02:04:38 -0800 2009 5146256 71113 Delucacheesemonger 12 5146362 I think the pommes paille are a major feature/attraction/charm of Ami Louis, They do indeed become cold very quickly since they're so small and light and the air goes between them, but you can always order a new basket or five. I also think that their fruits rock. And that their beef is better than their chicken. And I think the place is worth it for those for whom exceptional ingredients make a difference, and is not expensive considering what you eat (and in that I don't think it is with you that I disagree). Sun Nov 01 04:49:15 -0800 2009 5146275 96547 souphie 11 5147515 Souphie, not to stray this off topic, but where is Paris best roast chicken then? Le Figaro ranked L'Ami Louis as no. 1. We went to Atelier Maitre Albert (3rd ranking) and were not that impressed. We won't be able to make it to Chez Lulu, since they only offer their chicken for Sunday lunch... Sun Nov 01 15:03:52 -0800 2009 5146256 108016 theskyflyer 2 5208263 Had a really wonderful roast chicken, I think probably the best I've had, at Petite Pontoise last year. Wed Nov 25 13:12:16 -0800 2009 3713122 24018 Gman 1 5144651 No, not for forty years. In answer to "Is L'ami Louis worth it?" Sat Oct 31 02:45:58 -0700 2009 3712120 1088206 John Talbott 2 5145049 I had the most horrible experience there. I had reservations for a party of 4 and when we showed up, mysteriously, our reservation was no where to be found. Ok, yes that sometimes happens, but...here is where I think France differs from the US...in the US, there would have been an apology and an offer to perhaps seat you on another day (in most places). In this eatery, no apology, no offer to perhaps find us a table (when we were there there were only two tables occupied), or to suggest taking a reservation at that time for another day. For this reason, I don't care how good their chicken is, I won't be trying it. Sat Oct 31 09:25:33 -0700 2009 5144651 187445 travelluver 3 5145106 Have heard that happen to some. It happens when a 'good and known' customer makes a last minute reservation. Yes, of course, it is rude and indefensible. And when it happens to me, l will no longer return either. Sat Oct 31 09:54:06 -0700 2009 5145049 71113 Delucacheesemonger 4 5147047 It's ironic that this post should come up again, after more than one year, when I am just planning a return trip to Paris. We didn't make it to L'Ami Louis last trip and yes, I DO love roast chicken and consider it a real art form to prepare correctly (BTW, I read the long article about correct roast chicken preparation on Souphie's blog some time back). I may be denounced by Chowhounders for saying this (given today's global economic condition) but, I wouldn't mind paying 100 Euros for an excellently prepared roast chicken. What I worry about is grovelling to secure a reservation, paying 100 Euros, getting some bad attitude and then a poorly prepared meal. If someone could just guarantee me a perfect coucou de Rennes and delicious pommes paille, I would definitely buy them dinner! Sun Nov 01 11:20:40 -0800 2009 5145106 132690 Aleta 5 5147115 While l will post the full experience when fully recovered, l am just back from 2 hour lunch at L'Ami Louis followed by a 3 hour nap. Even after eating at 24 * s over the last few months, l saved this meal for a reason. Yes it was expensive, but it was one of the 2 or 3 best meals of my life. Simple perfect ingredients cooked only to show their goodness. The service was delightfully sassy but proper and fun. As you can tell, l loved it.. Plan to do again next year when return to Paris. Sun Nov 01 11:54:12 -0800 2009 5147047 71113 Delucacheesemonger 5 5147142 I'm sorry if this is off-topic, but Aleta or Souphie, could you send me a link to the entry of your blog discussing the best way to roast a chicken? I tried to find it and could not. Thank you! Sun Nov 01 12:16:00 -0800 2009 5147047 240564 eviemichael 6 5147197 That's because it's in French. I'll make an English version for you before Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, here's the French version: http://www.julotlespinceaux.com/2009/05/pour-en-finir-avec-le-poulet-roti-et.html DCM, I can't wait to hear more about your meal -- starting with the menu, and I hope someone with you took pictures. Sun Nov 01 12:47:32 -0800 2009 5147142 96547 souphie 7 5147219 thank you so much! I appreciate that. Sun Nov 01 12:56:35 -0800 2009 5147197 240564 eviemichael 1 5148504 I think it must be twenty years since we went to L'ami Louis. I loved it, my wife hated it. But since I still remember and talk about the meal, service and "decor" it must have been speicial. Thre are only a handful of Paris restaurants that stand out so vividly after so long. Try it and with luck you will be talking about it twenty years from now. Mon Nov 02 06:05:39 -0800 2009 3712120 112335 mexivilla