Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Choux Shopping


I'm trying really hard to think of something I don't like about the Choux Shop.

Ummm ...

Still thinking ...

Nuh, it's gone.

Dipped my toe in gently, initially, and went for lunch. Grilled sardines on toast never tasted so good! Well they were the proper sort of sardine, grilled flat. And they sat proudly on crostini ... not toast at all, silly me ... with a splodge of pesto and a splash of salad. Yum. And perfectly portioned for lunch. Coffee was tops.

After obsessing all week about the dishes I didn't order at lunch, splashed out and went back for dinner. Sadly, the restaurant was quiet ... a little too quiet. But not the ambience. The place felt warm and intimate. And the food? Rich, dark pigeon livers. Thinly sliced grilled duck breast and sweet duck leg wantons. Oyster terrine - challenging to look at, but sparkling to the tongue. The wine list was very entertaining, we chose a French Bordeaux (around $66), which was delightful. The cheese plate was perfect. And it all came in at around $200 (on par with Marque IV).

And who can argue with a restaurant respectful enough of its diners to provide individual hand towels in the bathroom?

Big fat French Provincial thumbs up from me. I anticipate I'll be stalking the place from now on.
GW.

p.s. Jack, ceci est votre magasin, n'est-ce pas ?