After two missed opportunities due the cold and flu that had been attacking Parisians “Rabbi” Albert and I finally connected and were joined by the charming Breton Food Blogger Vanessa Besnard at Café du Sud.
The Café du Sud is now serving jazz on Friday nights along with the usual superb cuisine.
After two missed opportunities due the cold and flu that had been attacking Parisians “Rabbi” Albert and I finally connected and were joined by the charming Breton Food Blogger Vanessa Besnard at Café du Sud.
We were seated in an alcove where a curtain could be drawn for privacy, but wasn’t, next to a couple that were engaged in the first of what we believe would become a series of clandestine rendezvous-Vanessa of Scotland Yard had arrived early and couldn’t help but overhear the seduction.
Jean-Luc with the tapered fingers of the jazz pianist that he sometimes is started us off with glasses of a Cote Lyonnais as we perused the menu.
Vanessa and I were both tempted by the Velouté de Chaitagnes (chestnut soup with whiskey) but I went with a foie gras de canard garnished with puréed smoked eggplant and a salad of herbs and figs. Albert chose a simple salad of mozzarella di bufalo with basil and cherry tomatoes.
All three dishes were very satisfying although smallish portions but that could not be said for the main courses that were copious.
Vannessa’s grilled tuna served on a bed of risotto and green asparagus topped with shaved parmesan was superb but too much to finish. Albert had no trouble cleaning his plate of parmentier de canard with spinach.
I had been advised to order the excellent grilled filet de boeuf but the first venison of the season with puréed celery and whiskey bathed chestnuts was too tempting especially with a glass of bordeaux.
Opting for maximum delight I ordered the Café Gourmand that included cheesecake and tarte aux pommes, Albert dieted and Vanessa found her cheesecake irresistible.
Café du Sud was packed with an enthusiastic crowd. The elegant, modern décor, warm welcome and good food make it a lunch time destination for sophisticated locals.
Formules are 35 euros(entrée, plat ou plat, dessert and 50 euros for entrée, plat & dessert. If you want to cut down your bill the main courses are so bountiful and always include vegetables and salad that you could easily skip the entrées and share dessert.
Café du Sud, 12 rue de Castellane, Paris 75008
Tel:01-42 65 90 52
Metro: Madeleine
Daily for lunch except Sat Noon-2:30PM
Daily for dinner 7PM-11PM
Closed Sunday
