The best things I ate

[bkeats]

Rather than writing reviews I am going to post about the best things we have eaten on this trip.

Aile de raie special at Eddy’s. Meaty and moist. Biggest skate wing I think I’ve ever had. The caper butter sauce an excellent companion.

Tarama d’oursin at Ti Corail. Wow, if you like regular taramasalata, you’ll love this dish.

Then the mashed sweet potatoes that came with the grilled fish were stunning. So much so I would rather have just had a container full of it and skipped the fish (which was pretty good too).

Finally we also ordered the lobster roll that came with a side of frites. The roll was good, but the frites were out of this world. Among the best I think I have ever had and that includes Belgium frites at a place known for outstanding frites.

Funny that two of the best things we had were sides. Maybe just get sides?

 

[bkeats]

At Le Papillon Ivre, two dishes standout from our recent meal

The pate came piled up in a little pot with a jar of house made cornichons. I just love pate and this was great. Fatty and chunky and spreadable all at the same time.

The waiter really pushed the Paris Brest for dessert. I am happy to report we were an easy push over.

 

[bkeats]

The accras at the new Le Repaire are the best we have had so far. They also make a very nice burger.

 

[bkeats]

I know Sella is a bit of a controversial place especially among the fans of Maya which we were. We decided to try it.

It’s a beautiful space. You can see we were early. At least we were given choice of seats and took the best in the house I think.

Two dishes really stood out. The Caribbean tartar which was made with mahi mahi, melons, nuts, pineapple sorbet and a bunch of other stuff. The contrast in flavors and textures was remarkable. I think this is the best starter we have had anywhere this trip. Only remembered to take a picture after starting on the dish. The picture isn’t great as they had turned the lights down low and I didn’t want to use flash. It tasted much better than the picture looks.

The Persian fish. This was spectacular. Crispy seared fish served over a version of orzo with a celeriac purée and asparagus. This time I remembered to take a picture before eating.

We had a few other dishes that were duds for us. Flavors that didn’t work. I’m not familiar with Israeli food so that maybe part of it. But OMG this was an expensive meal. The most expensive by far. There were specials that they had on a board that were €200-300+. Nice spot though. We would go back but be more selective about what we order. Also the waitress told us they don’t turn up the music until after 9:00 so if you want a quiet dinner go early. She also said that the party atmosphere is overstated. It just mostly loud music by the DJ. The service was very good through out the meal.

 

[etx]

How can I have eaten such good food but still somehow feel that I missed out looking at these photos?! My biggest regret might be not prioritizing a visit to Ti Corail.

 

[bkeats]

How can I have eaten such good food but still somehow feel that I missed out looking at these photos?

It’s like Amy says, so many restaurants so little time. Next time come for 2 weeks. That’s what we do. But you also do need to pace yourself otherwise you will explode. At least I would. I haven’t written about most of the places we have gone to. Just things that stand out on this trip. For the small size, the abundance of good places is remarkable. Last year we spent 3 weeks here spread across two trips and still didn’t hit every place we wanted to go. But that’s often a result of us returning to some favorites. Sometimes multiple times in a trip. We will be back at Ti Corail today. It’s probably among our top 3 these days. You really need to go.

 

[amyb]

Wow.

I can often pass on dessert, but that Brest cake is a winner. (Reminds me of San Honore enjoyed on trip to France.)

 

[cec1]

Very happy to get your take on best / interesting items in dining! Thanks for sharing . . . especially valuable to get a report on Sella — very few of them.

 

[dadto6]

I will be at Sella on Saturday night. Be pleased to give a response after I check it out with an open mind.

 

[GMP62]

Nice, detailed reporting and food porn photos! Enjoyed reading about your experiences. You’re absolutely correct, there’s never enough time to hit all the places you’d like to try. We have our top 2 or 3 places we hit at least twice a trip. Next April, we decided to do 2 weeks from our usual 10 days. The older we get, the longer we need to stay. It’s not a bad problem to have, oui!?

 

[Cwater]

Wonderful pics and wonderful reporting

 

[amyb]

Good planning, Gayle. "Be prepared and "plan ahead"..two sound pieces of advice.

 

[bkeats]

Went back for another lunch at Ti Corail. I love and hate the fact that the menu changes so frequently so that you never know if you can get something you liked before but at the same time you find new things to like.

There’s often some version of a fish tataki. This was mahi mahi. The onion confit with soy and ginger makes it sing. The little greens provided a nice zing to the sing.

Often when I see wagyu on a menu, I think here’s a way to push some overpriced meat. Wagyu means cow. So fine beef comes from a cow. It’s even worse when I see Kobe beef burgers. As though anyone would really do that with Kobe. Well the wagyu steak frites was a winner.

No idea if it will be there next week. Get it while you can. Also came with those awesome frites.

 

[Hawke]

I know Sella is a bit of a controversial place especially among the fans of Maya which we were. We decided to try it.

It’s a beautiful space. You can see we were early. At least we were given choice of seats and took the best in the house I think.

View attachment 66795

Two dishes really stood out. The Caribbean tartar which was made with mahi mahi, melons, nuts, pineapple sorbet and a bunch of other stuff. The contrast in flavors and textures was remarkable. I think this is the best starter we have had anywhere this trip. Only remembered to take a picture after starting on the dish. The picture isn’t great as they had turned the lights down low and I didn’t want to use flash. It tasted much better than the picture looks.

View attachment 66796

The Persian fish. This was spectacular. Crispy seared fish served over a version of orzo with a celeriac purée and asparagus. This time I remembered to take a picture before eating.

View attachment 66797

We had a few other dishes that were duds for us. Flavors that didn’t work. I’m not familiar with Israeli food so that maybe part of it. But OMG this was an expensive meal. The most expensive by far. There were specials that they had on a board that were €200-300+. Nice spot though. We would go back but be more selective about what we order. Also the waitress told us they don’t turn up the music until after 9:00 so if you want a quiet dinner go early. She also said that the party atmosphere is overstated. It just mostly loud music by the DJ. The service was very good through out the meal.

Do they open the windows on calm nights. Loved it back in the good old days.

 

[bkeats]

Do they open the windows on calm nights

For a moment when I read windows, I said to self - windows? Have I missed the windows?

If you’re referring to the blinds/screens they were up and out of the way so there was a clear view of the harbor when we were there.

 

[Hawke]

For a moment when I read windows, I said to self - windows? Have I missed the windows?

If you’re referring to the blinds/screens they were up and out of the way so there was a clear view of the harbor when we were there.

I don't remember the solid windows when it was Mayas.

 

[cec1]

Went back for another lunch at Ti Corail. I love and hate the fact that the menu changes so frequently so that you never know if you can get something you liked before but at the same time you find new things to like.

There’s often some version of a fish tataki. This was mahi mahi. The onion confit with soy and ginger makes it sing. The little greens provided a nice zing to the sing.

View attachment 66804

Often when I see wagyu on a menu, I think here’s a way to push some overpriced meat. Wagyu means cow. So fine beef comes from a cow. It’s even worse when I see Kobe beef burgers. As though anyone would really do that with Kobe. Well the wagyu steak frites was a winner.

View attachment 66805

No idea if it will be there next week. Get it while you can. Also came with those awesome frites.

The greens served at Ti Corail always are so fresh & flavorful!

 

[Cwater]

Ti Corail is one of our favorite go to spots. The island vibe and energy is strong there.

 

[elgreaux]

I don't remember the solid windows when it was Mayas.

There were no windows at Maya's - the space was wide open - but there is a new building there now, doesn't look anything like Maya's.

 

[amyb]

Maya did however have clear shades/curtains to lower when rain was blowing inside on the patrons.