L’Ami Jean – Paris (75007) en

But there’s actually table d’hôtes at 35 and at 42 at lunch, and it’s worth it.
The day I went, I ate à la carte and I “je me suis regalé”, you just have to be aware before going that space is tight, and that it will be loud. Other than that, service is good and not snobby ( even if a little funky at times) and the food is divine.

It’s surprising that not more advertising was done for the table d’hôte. In fact, once seated, it took me 10 minutes to find the table d’hôtes at 35 and 42 euros, they ‘re shaped like postcards, and hidden in the binder that holds the à la carte menu; and still, it’s the neighbouring table that told me about it. The waiter didn’t tell me one word about it.
Thanks Sophie Brissaud for recently telling me about this restaurant which gave me the necessary push to go try it.

It’s an inn, space is tight, the tables are made of wood. There’s a cool side to it, looking out to rue Malard, the front of the restaurant looks like an old bistro, not a restaurant whose à la carte dishes are close to 40 euros.
The washroom is original, the more restaurants there are the worst the washrooms get in my opinion, from an utilitarian side first, and from an esthetic one after.
It’s well done here.
Plus, you can see the dining room through a smoky glass panel, it’s intriguing.

When I made reservations, I was pleasantly surprised, service had been described to me as loud and fast, at the end of the line I had a calm and courteous man. I called back half an hour before our arrival to warn them of a small delay, and there again, even though it was 12:45pm, the answer was calm.
When I arrived, same thing, the person that greeted me was actually the one I got on the phone.
Once seated however, things changed, our waiter, without being mean, was a bit more “bourru”, but it’d be nice if he gave more advice, even if it was only some further explanations for the menu. I understand service needs to be quick, but still, with only 4 people in the room, there must be a way to be more organized.
That being said, chef Stéphane Jégo keeps an eye on the dining room like a hawk watching his prey.
He’s an active part of the dining room, he calls out to the servers from his watch tower, when two servers don’t see me trying to catch their attention, it’s the chef that asks them to take care of me.
Anyways, I’m not saying it’s easy, but in certain moments you feel that things could be better handled, regardless of speedy service.
Other than that, they’re all nice, and have good advice.
Be careful though, the joke I heard at the end of the meal: when the American couple’s bank card didn’t go through the waiter said: “ in that case, I’ll keep the woman for a month”.
For sure though, they’re generous, that it be the chef or the waiters: lamb was royally served, there wasn’t enough wine left in the bottle for a second glass, so they brought another bottle for my second glass, but they didn’t charge me for what was left in the first bottle, which was still two thirds of a glass.

There’s a table d’hôte at 35 euros which is totally acceptable, and another at 42.
My neighbour took the one at 35 and she was delighted.
We treated ourselves that day, so we went à la carte.

We were ready to party that day, we went à la carte.

Appetizer
We started with a plate of ham, but if I remember correctly it also came with a plate of chorizo.
It’s expensive, but it’s well worth it in the end.

For the dish of the day, we took what the chef recommended, a “lamb from the “Pyrénées”” roasted whole in the oven with a “paysanne” garnish ( mélange de petits legumes?): 40 euros.
There are however a good dozen daily specials, presented with the label “Cours du jour”

The lamb was divine and well presented . And plus, the waiter didn’t blink when I asked if it was a crime to ask if I could bring the rest home: “ On the contrary,” he said “ otherwise we’ll throw it out, that’d be really too bad for such a great lamb”.
And bam, a plastic takeout container with the lamb in it. Great spirit.

The only regrettable thing were the mashed potatoes that came long after, and without comment.
For 40 euros, if everything comes together, it’s much better.
Delicious mashed potatoes.

For the price though, it gave me two meals, and it was great at home too.

Dessert
Excellent dessert : creamy lemon, fine liquorice gelée, pistachio flavor
Recommended by the waiter, approved by the client ! Perfect after such a meal.

How to sum this all up?
Strong cooking skills.
It’s expensive. For this price, there’s nothing to add about the quality of the food and the generosity of the portions, but the service was lacking at times, when it could have be avoided.
We wont forget the 35 euros lunch table d’hôte.
The atmosphere is friendly, you can talk with your neighbours; when you know this beforehand you wont regret these special moments.
A solid restaurant when you’ve got money in your wallet for it.
Otherwise, I recommend the table d’hôte at lunch.