Often proclaimed as Paris’ first café, it was opened by Francesco Procopio Del Cotelli in 1686 and was the meeting place of Ben Franklin, Denis Diderot and Voltaire, who was known to consume up to 40 cups per day. Many of the great thoughts of the Age of Enlightenment were developed here.
With the exception of oysters with Jon Rowley, the Maven of Mollusks, I had studiously avoided this restaurant fearing it to be too touristy. I was wrong.
Often proclaimed as Paris’ first café, it was opened by Francesco Procopio Del Cotelli in 1686 and was the meeting place of Ben Franklin, Denis Diderot and Voltaire, who was known to consume up to 40 cups per day. Many of the great thoughts of the Age of Enlightenment were developed here.
Sanjay, the clé d’Or concierge from the Artus decided that it was time for me to finally dine at Le Procope. We were warmly welcomed by the hostess and led to one of the upstairs dining rooms where we quickly served a kir before tucking into the 29 euro formule: entrée & plat.
Entrées
- Seafood Treasure
- A dozen large Label Rouge Burgundy snails
- Traditional onion soup
- Our “Richelieu” pâté in pastry
- “House” duck foie gras, with toasted panettone
Plats
- Duck breast from the South West, with orange sauce, waffle potatoes
- Calf’s head casseroled, cooked in tarragon jus and served with Ravigote sauce
- “Revolutionaries’ Beef”, beef fillet and escalope of duck foie gras
- Fillet of griddled sea bass, with cherry tomato tatin
- Label Rouge Scottish salmon steak, with tagliatelle in a creamy Parmesan sauce
- Chocolate duo crisp
- Tahitian Vanille Crème Brulée
- Tiramaisu
- Moist chocolate cake, with blackcurrant sorbet
- Coffee or tea with miniature desserts
- Reasonably priced selection of wines by the glass
Don’t expect a gastronomic event and you will enjoy classic French dishes in an unparallelled atmosphere served by an amiable staff-what more can you expect at 29 euros.
13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris
