Paris Journal 2010 – Barbara Joy Cooley Home: barbarajoycooley.com

Photos and thoughts about Paris

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After doing our thing in the 15^th arrondissement yesterday, in the evening we walked through the 7^th, intending to dine at Le Basilique, behind the Sainte Clotilde Basilica. However, we did not make a reservation, and they had no space for us. One of the servers valiantly said that “yes, there is just one table in the interior.” But another one said “no, I just served it.” So we walked by the side of the basilica up to the corner of rue Saint Dominique, where the casual café called Le Square is situated, facing an adorable little park that is in front of the church. (Check out the English version of their web site for fun; then read the French version for the straight story.) It has been years since we dined there. I’m not sure why we haven’t gone back for so long, because we did like it (see my restaurant recommendations, link below). The menu has changed completely. There are no more Italian dishes like the veal piccata mentioned in the recommendations. Instead, there is fish. Fresh fish. I saw raie (skate) on the specials, but that was depleted by the time we arrived. That doesn’t bother me with fish; I think that if the restaurant is going to assure that the fish is fresh, they get it that morning, and they do not get so much that there is some left for the next day. Better to run out than to serve fish that isn’t so fresh. So I ordered another fish special, filets of seabass with a house-made foie gras sauce, and puréed potatoes. It was perfection. The fish was moist, tender, tasty, and fresh. The sauce was rich and smooth, and there wasn’t much of it. The puréed potatoes were full of butter, which is perfect when potatoes are served with fish. Tom had a lamb chop that was cut differently from the usual. Amusingly, the lamb chop was listed as “Lamb chop d’agneau” on the menu. Unwittingly, by trying to use some English, they wrote “lamb chop of lamb.” The lamb chop was great, and so were the green beans that came with it. Also served with Tom’s dinner were attractive slices of sautéed potatoes, but neither of us could finish our potatoes. The food arrived hot, brought by the woman who runs the front of the house (she’s in the photo above, far left, standing outside smoking a cigarette). The server was a friendly man who we think has worked there for several years at least. Le Square is doing just fine, serving good food with a smile. Go there for fresh fish, perfectly prepared. Note: For addresses & phone numbers of restaurants in this journal, click here. Sign my guestbook. View my guestbook.

Thursday, July 8, 2010 Le Square, at the corner of rue Saint Dominique and rue Casimer Périer in the 7^th arrondissement, facing the park in front of the Sainte Clotilde Basilica. Corner of rue Saint Sulpice and rue des Cannettes, taken with no flash (above), and with a flash (below), just moments apart. The camera is a simple, inexpensive Kodak EasyShare C713. ← Previous Next →