Lynn has written this month's Under 20 Eats/Lunch with Lynn
Romantic Paris! You couldn’t get more romantic than this: the Eiffel Tower in the snow on a sunny December afternoon. Then, you walk across the Pont de l’Iena bridge to the right bank and catch the #72 bus west a few stops to Versaille –Exelmans, just across from 137 Avenue de Versailles, the Tierny & Co restaurant, a cozy almost provençal place with one of the most interesting “ardoise” I’ve ever seen. Natalie Tierny, the owner along with her chef husband Philippe, speaks English, if that’s helpful. She will hold up the chalkboard and explain what a “Piece du Boucher de l’Aubrac” is or the “Margates au pastis,” two of several exotic but classic French offerings.
Richard and I had heard about the food and one “romantic” afternoon took ourselves there with a friend of mine, Ron. For 19 euros we could have a “plat” with a glass of wine and some coffee, the lunch special. But it was the Christmas season, so we went for the 25 euro entrée and plat: Richard started with butternut squash soup with coconut milk, to die for; I had the fabulous house foie gras with a perfect Pinot Gris wine (I’d asked for a Macon Village but Natalie came back and said: “You know, a Pinot Gris would be perfect with the foie gras.” And she was absolutely right). Ron chose a seafood tiramisu of crab and avocado, as beautiful as the snowy Eiffel Tower itself.
For our main dish, Richard was tempted by the Beef Bourguignon and was not disappointed, and I had the white emperor fish with a sauce of peanut butter mango and coconut milk. It came with an astonishing violet potato puree, those “vitelotte” potatoes grown in Brittany. Oh, my! Beautiful and delicious. The sauce was divine, although the piece of fish was large. I could have done with half of it. Ron had the white truffle ravioli. What an amazing variation on this usual Italian dish.
Butternut Squash Soup
Crab & Avocado Tiramisu
Beef Bourguignon
Emperor Fish with "Vitelotte" Potatoes
White Truffle Ravioli
Natalie chose our wines. The restaurant wine list is long and lovely, another “ardoise” to knock your socks off.
For a festive finish, we decided to splurge on a “café gourmand à trois,” the alternative to a single dessert, coffee plus miniature cakes and/or custards on the side. Philippe had concocted three French custards, one a crème brulee, another with raspberries and a third with apricots. Not only were they beautiful, they were delicious. Three spoons for three bears and we finished them all.
Natalie and Philippe are quite willing to set up reservations for birthdays or other gatherings. I say, don’t miss this food adventure. It’s loads of fun (and romantic)♥
Tierney & Co
137 Avenue de Versailles
01-46-47-72-00
Metros: Chardon-Lagache or Eglise d'Auteuil
Bus: #72 Versaille –Exelmans,
Note: The bus leaves you closer to the restaurant than the metro
Closed: Sunday and Monday
Lynn Jeffress is a writer, teacher and translator; she has a Ph.D. in French Language and Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Oregon where she helped write Caverns the group novel led by Ken Kesey and published in 1990 by Viking/Penguin Press. She writes short stories (her latest The Dali Code & Other Paris Stories) and poetry, the newest collection Announcements to be published later this year as an audio book.
Philippe, Chef Extraordinaire
Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 17 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my courtyards, doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great holiday gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com