Chez Julien is one of my Marais restaurant recommendations and I always point it out to clients on my Marais tours. The opulent dining room, a former boulangerie in a 1780 building with a hand painted-glass ceiling, plush red velvet banquettes, and ornate chandeliers, couldn't feel more French. The food since the Costes brothers took it over two years ago is excellent but a little overpriced.
In the spring and summer the terrace, located in a ancient cobble-stoned passage with the towering Gothic church Saint Gervais in the background and the Seine in the foreground, is an idyllic setting for dining outdoors. Lynn and I had the added bonus of having a sparkling, sunny day. I had seen the week before they had a two-course menu, an entree and plat, for 20 euros with some appetizing dishes. There is only one choice in each category and that day it was chilled melon soup with anise and fresh chevre and roasted salmon with grapefruit emulsion and greens, which sounded quite appealing for a summer-like day. We chatted about our week while soaking up the sunshine.
The beautiful soup, served by the even more beautiful waiter, was Creamsicle colored with a white dollop on the side with wedges of melon floating on top. It was refreshing and the anise was pungent but the cool melon tempered it, giving it an edge as to not make it too sweet. Satisfied by our soup, we awaited our entree with great anticipation A few minutes later out comes another pretty plate except the piece of salmon on it is about the size a two-euro coin and the salad 50 centimes. The look of surprise/shock was simultaneous as our eyes locked and said the same thing: Are they kidding? We kept making jokes about the puniness of the portions and what a great snack this was but in the end we were left high and dry, starving for lunch. It was frustrating because the salmon was so flavorful with the burst of grapefruit running through it and it barely filled a cavity. Even after going through three baskets of the addictive country bread, I knew I wouldn't make through the rest of the afternoon without at least having a Croque Monsieur to tide me over till dinner. Lynn called me later that day laughing that she went afterwards to the Ile St. Louis and filled up on Berthillon ice cream for the rest of her lunch.
If you want a delicious lunch that will maybe satisfy a Barbie doll who is on 200 calorie a day diet in a restaurant with a stunning setting, we recommend Chez Julien. Otherwise splurge for the regular menu that has portions big enough for human appetites.
Chez Julien
1 rue du Pont Louis-Philipe, 4th arr.
Metro: Pont Marie or St. Paul
Tel 01 42 78 31 64
Open daily 12PM-10:30PM
The beautiful soup
The even more beautiful waiter
Barbie, is this enough food for you?
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 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.
Great post! Reviewers who tell the truth are always appreciated!
Posted by: Benita | May 31, 2011 at 07:32 PM
I would go to Paris just to stare at the waiter.
Posted by: Linda | May 31, 2011 at 07:34 PM
Oh my goodness! My mouth is watering over that soup (and the waiter...). I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your blog today.
I so wish I had taken you up on your Marais tour when my family and I were in Paris. I'm planning another trip (solo) next summer, so hopefully I'll catch up with you then. In the meantime, keep up the great blogs. When I read them it makes me feel like I never left Paris! And I miss it!!
Posted by: Emily | May 31, 2011 at 07:35 PM
Perhaps it's the Weight Watcher's Menu? And you thought Nouvelle Cuisine was dead!
Posted by: michael | June 01, 2011 at 02:21 PM