Le Bristol Garden & Grenelle Buzz

I had lunch with Bernadette Chirac at The Bristol to-day! Well not really, Mme C was at the next table with a party of ladies who do, and very chic they were too. The Bristol’s buzzing with celebs, Joan Collins and Percy popped in and out. “We’re staying here”, she said. Alright dear, no need to gloat. The Summer Garden is a delight, book ahead for this oasis in the 8th arrondissement. Of course Sarko and Carla come, it’s their local. And talking of the Elysee Palace, schhh…the Presidential couple may have been seen at Palace Elysee (01 40 70 19 17), where the talented Herve Nepple (ex-Music Hall/Gagnaire) is at the pianos. More in our next. Under the chic white Bristol parasols, choose from 14 starters including chilled Gaspacho Andalouse. Salads, such as Chef’s (Eric Frechon must make a good one, he’s rumoured to be getting his 3rd Michelin macaron next year) Tomate, Mozza. Tarte de Tomate, perfect crispy flaky pastry. Any of the starters could be a main and then have a dessert (more of these later). If you can’t resist a main, there’s Club Sandwich, and joy of joys Vegetarian Club Sandwich. Lo-cal Carpaccio de boeuf a l’huile de noisette, roquette salad. Rare tuna with sesame and nori, crispy fennel salad. Nice with a glass of Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume 2006 or if you take Tartare of Beef, pommes frites and lettuce salad a robust Château La Tour de Mons 1998, Margaux. Trust the brilliant Jerome Moreau to choose some good wines. Desserts are by Laurent Jeanin, featherlight golden Vanilla Millefeuille croustillant, with red fruit sorbet. Chariot de Patisserie and even an ice cream wagon, with cones for kids of all ages. Assiette of red fruits (Bernadette?) Gateau au chocolat noir Grand Cru, crème anglaise, vanilla Bourbon (Buzz). Also worth checking out Fashion High Teas, a catwalk show while you sip a cuppa finest Darjeeling, nibble sandwiches and goodies by uber-patissier Laurent Jeanin. Reserve on: 01 53 43 43 42 (50€). They call Jean-Jacques Jouteux “an agitator of the casseroles”, I’m not sure why. He once had a very chic bistro called Les Semailles, Paris, where it was impossible to get a table. He travelled, then put his suitcases down at Cap Ferrat where he launched “Le Provencal” (now La Table du Cap), sold that and recently spent a short time at Petrossian Monaco. “Now I’m back here”, he grinned one day last week. Jouteux has taken over Louis Vannucci’s Le Soleil, transformed it, “into a replica of my home”, and baptised it 153 Grenelle. It has all the makings of a fantastic success, the location in the beating heart of the left-bank, a local clientele of dedicated foodies and Jean-Jacques’ admirable talent, “it’s me at the pianos, with a young chef I’ve trained”, he explains. Lunch (and dinner, same price) is served on crisp white linen by a real pro Maitre D’ Hotel, Marc Moine. Tomato and basil salad, yellow and red, plump and juicy, a poached egg and baby beans. Or violet artichokes, pancetta au poivre. For your main, choose from sparkling fresh crispy skinned morue with asparagus, jus de cuisson, or filet de boeuf with baby onions, pommes purée mousseline. At lunch it’s either Marie Anne Cantin’s cheese (say, fresh chevre with tomato-basil jam and roquette salad). Or, icing on the cake, warm apple tart, vanilla cream, home-made caramel ice-cream and fresh berries. Smile at Monsieur Moine, you may get both! Excellent wines, some from sunny Provence. Bandol Chateau Pibarnon 2005 58€ (White) Coteaux Varois 2007 Domaine du Deffends Clos du Bécassin (30€) Red. 153 grabs your heart, you know you’ll return again and again. “I’m so glad you’re here”, said one lady, hugging Jouteux as she left, a long-time client from Les Semailles, she said, “Paris is a better place now”. Alain Ducasse plans a multi-course memorable dinner to celebrate the finest French products and his first July 14th at Le Jules Verne. Reservations by e-mail only: [email protected] How Much? 460€ & 640 with wines. No it’s not! le tout Paris at your feet, eat well, celebrate Bastille Day, and watch the fireworks. Hang the expense! Address Book: Summer Garden at The Bristol Open 7/7 Lunch – Afternoon Tea – Dinner 112 rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, 8th (Metro: Miromesnil) T: 01 53 43 43 40 Average Spend 60€ + wine www.lebristolparis.com 153 Grenelle, Jean-Jacques Jouteux, 153 rue de Grenelle 7th (M: Latour-Maubourg) T: 01 45 51 54 12 Lunch 35€ Dinner 59€ + wine Shut Sun-Mon.