L'Ami Jean - @@@

L'Ami Jean in Paris

Started with the parmesean soup. Had crunchy onions on the bottom with raw onions as well. Very small at the bottom. Then had a large juggish type thing with the soup in it. Super rich and creamy. Very smooth. Like just cream and butter with cheese hints in it. Onion infused in the broth after it was soaking in it. Literally almost full it was that rich. By the way, it was 18 euro. Mind boggling. But I think it was to be shared not consumed individually. 

Funny quote "the English menu is me" not told to me. 

Odd - salt/pepper grinders on my high top table but not on the actual tables. 

Next had the beef shoulder cooked for a long time allegedly. Pretty tender and topped with what tasted to be nuts that were roasted, roasted onions again, and basil leaf. Bigger portion than expected, typing this halfway through and could be done. Obviously not but could be. Update - the "roasted nuts" we're actually burned carrots?? Odd. Also halfway through as I am thinking this dish is fairly a la carte comes a bowl of mashed potatoes. One word...rich. Also creamy similar to polenta but much richer. Also pretty full now. Either want to fall asleep or need to walk around for a while. 

Servers were flying around, lots of motion for a ~50ish seat place. Diners were sat chinatown style with a table of eight chairs in a row filled with 4 parties of 2. Funny sight was them pulling the tables in and out to get people fit in to the booth area. It did however encourage people to talk more and interact with each other...mainly in English oddly enough. Also was pretty empty when I walked in at 12:15 and when I left at 2 was jammed. Definitely people eat later here. Eating at the high table gave me a good view into the kitchen and prep as it was going on. 

Final thought...beef was good, not great. Was tender but stringy, not much fat on the cut. The soup and potatoes were super rich and quite good. Could've probably went with the tasting menu as they included the soup and beef shoulder in much smaller portions along with 2 fish servings. Did not need the full amount I guess for lunch but it's all good. Do I need to come back with the recommendations of making reservations a month in advance?? Maybe not. 

27 Rue Malar, 7th arrondissement 

75007 Paris