> SlowTrav > France > Restaurants > Reviews > Paris

04 ARR: Benoit

20, rue Saint-Martin , Phone: 01 42 72 25 76
www.alain-ducasse.com

Reviewed by: Daniel from NY, review #2615

When: 2006

Traditional, upscale bistro.

My Cassoulet at Benoit, photo by Daniel

We got to Benoit at about 1:30 and the joint was packed, however we were taken to a smaller dining room in the back which was initially empty and free of the cacophony of the front room.

We started with an amuse of these delicious, straight-out-of-the-oven cheese puff type things. Just then, I caught a whiff of some cigarette smoke coming from the table next to us which had recently been seated with two gentlemen. I discreetly asked our waiter if he wouldn’t mind moving us over to the far end of the room because my wife was pregnant and the smoke was not good for her. The waiter quickly obliged, and as we were getting up one of the smoking patrons told the waiter that he would put out his cigarette if it bothered us. I intervened and told the guy to please enjoy his lunch and his cigarette, and that I was well aware that I was in Paris and not in New York. It was actually a very pleasant exchange. Once the move was complete, everyone was happy.

We only ordered main courses since we weren’t that hungry (not to mention a prior indiscretion over at Amorino earlier in the day). My wife had the endives gratiness wrapped in ham. I had the savory cassoulet which had been initially presented in its pot, then carefully plated. Is there any dish better on a chilly day than cassoulet? I think not, and mine was perfection. We decided to split a lovely and orangey crepes suzette for dessert.

Enthusiastically recommend this place for a traditional, low-key and very satisfying meal.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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