got lucky with late walk in dinner. this is a basque place, so we ordered some basque wine the chef has a short temper, so the staff won't be that patient with you. thus interpreting a french only menu can be time consuming. just don't do something like confuse crevette (prawn) with cervelle (lamb brain) anyways, our server chose a stuffed piquillo peppers app which was very good, and then we shared a steak for 2 'hugo desnoyer' -- top boucherie steak was not very fatty, cooked rare for a medium rare, but still excellent also happened to sample the roasted pigeon in a crock pot, very delicious missed out on the riz au lait 'grand-mère' read more

I wished I had read more of the three star reviews and stopped looking at the overall high 4.5 star rating. This place is definitely passable, do not be sad if you do not manage to hit it up while you are in Paris. Out of all the dining experiences I have had in this beautiful city, this was one of the biggest let downs. #1 - Suspicious tourist trap. There were no French speakers dining with us. We were seated next to an American family on our left, a large Chinese party in front of us, Spanish speaking party situated obliquely towards us, and a British couple to our right. The best food in Paris we have had is when the menu is in French and the customers are also all French. When you stick out like a sore thumb, that's when you know you are good. #2 - Overpriced! Now I know French food is expensive, but hm, for the taste of the food, you can get much better for less price. Yes they do serve you a large portion of pate in the beginning and a nice jar of serve yourself pickles but that was about it. I think the jar of pickles was the highlight of my meal, because I do love those little French pickles. I have a hard time remembering what I ordered since the food was so forgettable... The appetizer we tried was highly recommended by the chef, mushrooms. In any case it was basically mushrooms slathered up and down in a butter sauce with a small sprinkling of generic herbs. I think the first mushroom I had was delicious, but eventually I felt like I was eating more butter than mushroom. Also, if you put a stick of butter with a mushroom in a pan and bake it, it will taste very similar. In any case, I believe it was the turbofish which was cooked well yes, but it tasted like any other fish that I've had in a Parisienne restaurant. Soft, tender, with a nice creamy white sauce... nothing new. Also tried the braised veal which was tender and soft, but again lacked interesting depth or the je ne sais quois quality I was hoping for based on the previous reviews. The food is cooked well, but that is it. It offers nothing else. No I did not try the rice pudding, since the portions were made for giants, and after sampling the plats that were recommended by the waiter, we were done. #3 - Just like any other brasserie in Paris, but add one extra zero to the end of your bill. Since Parisienne food is so delicious, I would have to say this was by far our worst meal in Paris. With that being said. If you are still interested, you need reservations. Two couples were turned away during our meal, looking very sad. I wish I could have chased them down and given them a hug, to let them know they actually did themselves and their wallet a favor. read more

I'll just say it: I didn't love it. It wasn't bad - but it certainly didn't blow me away. First, this place is 100% shtick. You walk in (or perhaps more accurately, you fall in!), throw your coats onto a coat rack (no coat check numbers, so remember what your coat looks like!) and you are seated in a tiny dining room. The aesthetic is kitschy-fabulous -- every single surface of that restaurant is covered in weird wall hangings: the highlight, a picture of a dancing pig hanging over our table -- the ambiance is punctuated by the shouting of the chefs (one in particular - I'll call him Mr. Stubble) and the gruffness of the wait staff (we were told by one waiter "The food here is terrific but the service is terrible!"). None of this - shouting, gruffness, tightness - impresses me. It feels inauthentic and performative and uncomfortable rather than gracious and enjoyable. What was less impressive, though, was the food. I can only describe it by saying it seemed esoteric, arcane, hard to enjoy - everything was either too rich, too bland, too weird, or too overhyped. The much celebrated parmesan soup is so intense and rich it borders on the inedible - it tasted like a big bowl of cream. The egg appetizer is essentially a raw egg (very very lightly soft boiled) with truffles -- it sounds exciting but just tasted like a really uncooked egg. If the soup was too rich, and the egg was too raw, the fish was too flavorless - the sea bass (served whole) is so subtly flavored that it seems to taste of nothing (I'd say the same of the cod which, unlike the bass, is served in small pieces). Even the much celebrated rice pudding (which the waiter modestly said was the "best rice pudding ever") tasted no better than rice pudding I've had anywhere else - and what was particularly unappetizing was its presentation: a big bowl of white gloop served with a wooden kitchen spoon. It looked -- and tasted -- a bit like hospital rice pudding, made customizable by a few bowls of sides that can be thrown into the pudding. We had eaten at L'Affriole- right down the street- a few days before, and if I had a choice, I'd go to L'Affriole any day. read more

Beware, L'ami Jean is not worth the money. Please note that I am not hesitant to pay pay for good food, but be forewarned, you can find so many other options worth your time in Paris. The octopus was over cooked. The vegetable salad was overpriced and not memorable. I wish I had FORGOTTEN my reservation. Of nine nights in Paris, I guess the odds finally won out. read more

Very busy and a bit chaotic place but the food was very good. We had the tasting menu. The portions were extremely generous and it was a shame I was too full toward the end. Unless you are very hungry or a big eater I'd recommend to go a la carte. There were many vacationers from the US like ourselves. The tables are very close to each other so it's not for a romantic dinner. read more

Don't ask questions. Don't read the menu in advance. Just do yourself a favor & go. Go now. This restaurant is probably one of the best meals I've ever had, anywhere in the world. It's super tiny but from the second you walk in you swear you stepped into someone's house and they're just going to find you a chair. Then the food comes out. Are you sitting? You better be. Because it's phenomenal. The hare - amazing. The risotto - mon Dieu! And for dessert ... Without question get the riz du lait aka rice pudding. Don't like rice pudding you say? I don't care. Get it anyway. This is going to change your life. The highlight of it all is watching the frenetic but clearly immensely talented chef work his magic in the kitchen. Amazing. Like I said Go now. read more

Best place we visited in Paris. Friendly staff, very solidly prepared food, prices in line with or below the other places we visited. I posted a tough review of Chez George. L'Ami Jean is pretty much everything Chez George isn't. They only have 2 seatings--7 and 9:00 p.m. Go at 7 to eat with Americans and at 9 with others. We went at 7, but didn't feel rushed. Good food, good atmosphere, good experience. read more

AMAZING!!!!!!! The dining experience is not like in the states. You are literally sitting elbow to elbow with your neighbor as you eat. With that being said, we ended up making friends with our neighbors on each side of us (despite the language barrier). The multi course menus looked incredible, but you better go hungry! We had a starter and a main course with a dessert and walked out VERY full!!!!!!!!! The staff were very friendly, but very busy (do not take this as them being rude)! A MUST if you love food!!!!! read more

This guy can cook. They brought out a terrine of various meat innards...my husband really liked it, you just slice yourself a piece and they leave it on your table and then take it away after a little bit to give to other customers. We got pretty simple appetizers, I had roasted asparagus and my husband had roasted mushrooms. They were the most perfectly cooked and flavorful vegetables ever. Really nice. For our entrees, my husband got the braised beef. It was one of his favorite dishes in Paris. Really memorable and unique. I got roasted turbot on the bone. It was cooked perfectly and really fresh, but it was a little boring. I think you need to go with a big meaty dish at this restaurant, that's their style. The mashed potatoes that came with mine were awesome. The star of the night might have been the rice pudding. I am not a rice pudding person, but this was sooo soo yummy. They fold in whipped cream and serve it with a caramel sauce and crunchy almonds. Its also huge! Enough for 4 people to share. The wine selection here was also fabulous, we asked for a recommendation and they made a great one that wasn't expensive but really nice. They didn't have air conditioning, so it was pretty hot in the restaurant so plan accordingly with your outfit. Most bistros in Paris are this way. We would definitely go back!! read more

L'Ami Jean - Braised beef, delicious! - French Near Me - Paris, 75

This place gets a sugar ray leonard review--pound for pound, a great restaurant. We were two, and shared the chef's tasting menu, which involved 8 courses, including a cheese plate and three desserts: (1) Lobster-based soup poured over some savory ingredients. Delicious and a good balance of savory and sweet. (2) A pudding-like thing with the consistency of mashed potatoes on the bottom and creme brulee on the top. Had great contrast in flavor and weight. (3) A gigantic plate of lobster with basil, mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon, and a mildly spicy sauce. This was probably the best thing we had. (4) Two huge slabs of foie gras served with a great sauce and what I think were slightly spicy and very thin seaweed crackers. Also very very good. (5) A cheese plate. One cheese. But good. (6) Three different desserts. Rice pudding, a berry and cream dish, and a banana based custard dish. One warning: if you don't like crowded restaurants or sitting very close to strangers, this place ain't for you. read more

What a great find on our visit to Paris! Reservations are essential any day of the week. There are 2 seatings. The first one is american and the second is french. (they obviously don't advertise this, but it is how it works) We even had a Parisian make our reservations and we were still in the 1st seating. When we realized this, we were a bit turned off, however we quickly forgot becuase the food was that good. Menu is a choice of a few different tasting menu. We did the 55 Euro menu with 5 courses. A great deal! One highlight of the meal was the 7 hour cooked beef. wow! Definitely one of the best dishes I have ever had. Wine selections were standard and affordable. Service was great - most servers were bilingual, although I recommend trying to converse in French if you can. Overall a great experience that lasted almost 3 hours. read more

If you are looking for a whole in the wall local Parisian restaurants where locals eat. This would be your beat choice in Paris. In the center there is a very energetic chef that's serves at a lightening speed screams in French on his busboys and creates that extra kick that you won't get at michellin places. Food is unbelievable it's an old school French with of course duck, veal and many other traditional dishes. Place is perfect for American tourists that don't wanna rely on overpriced French places and dive into real Paris block read more

This charming little French restaurant was recommended by a local. It was amazing and a delight for the eye as well as palate. The wait staff had a great sense of humor and willing to answer endless questions about the menu. The chef gave a long list of other recommendations restaurants but we were only able to make one other. A. Noste near Palais Royal. read more

Wonderful experience. Attentive service, everyone very friendly. Ordered ala carte, Parmesan soup terrific. The goose was incredible. We debated over the rice pudding, questioning how it could be as wonderful as advertised. It is. Absolutely magnificient. This and Paul Bert our favorite stops this trip. read more

Skip this place. Yes the food is amazing and unbelievable but the other tourists and stupid Americans dining right next to you will ruin your experience. We sat next to the most asinine, uneducated Americans who were under the major delusion that they were educated, talking loud about partial birth abortions and how great Mitt Romney is while we were eating. I didn't want to make a scene so kept to myself but their one-liners were just so out of this world I had to write them down in my phone. I think I knew in the back of my mind that people like this existed, just had never interacted with such baboons until know it just left me speechless, jaw to the floor, you name it. This place serves great food but its played out, yo. Too many tourists. Don't waste your time. I'd rather be eating around real Parisian locals. read more

We stayed in Paris for 3 days, this was our last dinner place before we leave Paris. We just ordered Pigeon dish because of not too much we could choose unless you accept the taste menu. Although they tried the other kind of pigeon instead of our dish, but it is helpless! The chef can't handle the pigeon dish. And, we feel totally disappointed. SPEECHLESS read more

My favorite restaurant in Paris, if not the world! I've never had a meal here that was less than great. Wish I was there now...

Absolutely one of the best restaurants in Paris. Was recommended by a friend to go here when I visited. The staff is so friendly and helpful if you don't speak French. They are funny too! The food was fresh and delicious! I loved the rice pudding before I even had it!! I'm almost mad I had it because now I can't stop thinking about it!!! This place is a must! read more

Best food and service I've had in Paris. The ambiance had a rustic authentic French feel to it and the food portions were large relatively speaking. I had the chef's menu for 78 euros. It was delicious and well worth the price for the huge quantity of food I received. Started with foie gras and delicious bread, Parmesan soup (sounds cheesy but it wasn't, and rather it was mouth watering), braised beef, fish, and chicken. To be honest I lost track there was so much food. When desert arrived I thought that was it, but no, another three platefuls of deliciousness arrived at my table. The staff was very friendly given the typical French attitude to English speakers. Rice pudding was the best I've ever had, especially with the toasted almonds and all the other goodies that came with it. If you come here I'd recommend not eating lunch beforehand and only lightly eating the bread to keep space for the starters and the main courses. A glass of coke was 4 euros, which is fairly standard in good restaurants in France, and I have to admit I didn't care that it was relatively expensive because the food and the service was phenomenal. Will definitely return next time I'm in Paris. read more

L'Ami Jean - Chicken - French Near Me - Paris, 75

Food was fantastic. No debating the quality of food, great service and out-sized portions. Not Cheap however! The place has a casual but cool feel.. it's a great place for a special night out. read more

This was one of the most spectacular meals i have ever had! It was my birthday and I was surprised by friends I was staying with in London for a 48 trip to Paris. Paris with wonderful friends means the world to me. When you add amazing food, then life is complete. The tasting menu is endless, but if you do not eat fish or shellfish, I do not recommend. What I do recommend is the mashed potatoes which were undeniably buttery and creamy, the parma ham was gorgeous, duck was juicy, tender and gigantic and the gazpacho drunk out of the glass jar was incredibly spicy and tangy! Heaven sent. The ultimate dessert to try is the rice pudding with the granola and toppings. Fantastic. The menu is complicated, but the staff is crazy, fun, bustling and extremely helpful. Watching the chef from your table is also a treat! The high octane spirit of the kitchen and the staff add to the neighborhood-y, bustling atmosphere of the restaurant. You sit piled up next to each other, comfortably stimulating conversations amongst patrons about your dish or your day! You felt like a guest at someone's dinner party. I loved it! read more

Great little gem. The minute I entered this cafe I knew Id love it due to the friendly staff, fantastic smells, and beautiful food. The bartender was super friendly and let us sample some great wines and cold cuts. When we were seated we were served complimentary country pate and pickles yum yum yum. Then we had the parmesan soup which was plain wow, followed by frog legs which were amazing. For the entree we had veal filet which was good but the mashed potatoes were amazing. Do not leave this place without trying their rice pudding which comes out in a huge bowl with salted caramel sauce on the side! read more

The rustic setting belies the gourmet gastronomie. On Weds at lunchtime it was really busy, but they made room for me (une personne toute seule). I ordered the menu carte, which was 42 euros. I had an absolutely delicious bowl of fish soup--delicate yet complex, perfectly seasoned and cooked lamb, and rice pudding, which is ENORMOUS, by the way, and comes with delicious caramel and salted peanut type chips. All of these things were really amazing in their own right. My only complaint is the high cost, but I suppose you get what you pay for. I loved the ambiance, being able to see the chefs in action, and the home cooked theme--I have no doubt that his grandmother inspired the pudding, I could taste the love! read more

A wonderful meal and experience. The staff was warm and welcoming to English speaking guests. Never did I feel like a burden to the staff. The place is small, cramped and you are sitting VERY close to your neighbor, but in this case it adds to the warmth and charm. Waiter "decided" our meal and it was great. Only negative is menu is not available in English which would have been nice and changed what I ordered but that in no way minimizes my happiness in my meal. One of the highlights is the people watching from the other diners to the kitchen staff. read more

My favorite restaurant in Paris. You want to get the "Carte Blanche" tasting menu, it is a great display of the chef's skills. Serious quantity (quality being a given at this restaurant) though! You want to not miss the "riz au lait", the best in Paris. read more

Had such a fun time eating here. Couldn't eat for a while after we were severed so much! Got to try many foods I wouldn't eat at home, lots of fun. read more

Great meal! We ordered the (blind) chefs tasting menu and tried most of menu. It was fantastic! The environment is upbeat and full of energy from the waiters to the intense chef outbursts. They weren't kidding when the waiter mentioned everything is good on the menu. We weren't disappointed! The rice pudding is over the top. Try to do anything to save room for it! Highly recommended. read more

Could become Michelin 1 star. Great prix fix menu. Desserts are heaven. Do rice au lait. KNOW FRENCH to order. Try the roast meat for two! Could be best item. Many rave about the rice pudding. It also has a sexy graphic vibe decor on the walls.... read more

it was a very different experience from the dining that i'm used to in the states. the venue was set up so that you sat right next to another couple sharing the same table. the atmosphere was lively, and you're somewhat forced to engage in conversations with other people near you. it's much different from what we're used to, but it was such a great experience. the food was superb. we ordered the carte blache (whatever the chef wanted to make), and everything that came out was so delicious. my favorite dish was the pork and beef cheek. my favorite dessert was the rice pudding (a MUST try, especially since i hate rice pudding). we were so stuffed towards the end, and had to forsake one of the plates. i would definitely come back again, and would recommend this place to anyone. read more

This place was interesting. It was very crowded, so you should definitely get a reservation if you want to try it. Pretty reasonable prices. Ecclectic decor, and the staff was constantly running around like their pants were on fire. The stress level was definitely high! That was not helped by the chef's constant tantrums. At one point, the yelling and throwing of pans was so loud and violent that the entire restaurant came to a stunned standstill. If you're looking for a nice relaxing meal - this would not be the place for it! The food though was pretty good. Not the best we had in Paris, but solid. I think the highlight was the rice pudding dessert which was literally enormous and really delicious. Not sure I'd go back, but if you're in the area and looking for an interesting experience with good food, then this place is for you! read more

really fantastic...octopus starter fab and then slow roasted beef shoulder with mashed potatoes ....all perfect. crozes-hermitage to go with...rice pudding!. sat near kitchen ...Chef was engaged and animated and really added to experience...and despite the tongue in cheek comments from waiter the service was terrific. We did late lunch and long stroll afterwards was appreciated read more

A very good french-basque bistrot. The cuisuine is almost inside the restaurant,which gives a very nice smell and atmosphere.You can see a beautiful work of chef Stephane Jego on his plates. Place's busy all the times,so call for a reservation. I've lunched there,and (02 entrees/basque ham + bread + butter + a huge entrecote for two + bottle of beaujolais + water) made a 100 euro bill.Very nice and filling. Highly recommended. read more

Back after 5 years. To be honest, the food was good. The problem was the service. When I called for reservations I was told I had only 2 hours for my dinner (7-9pm) and I realized they now have a 2nd seating. Staff (trying to smile, but not really friendly) was extremely rushed, 5 min to choose from the menu was too long, they tried to talk me (an anyone else) into a tasting menu (menu surprise) which I didn't want. Food came quick, but everything in a rush. less than 5 min between courses, it felt like being in a force-feeding session. one time my plate was literally pulled out of my hands while I finished the sauce with pieces of bread. In the end I had an extra dessert on my bill which I didn't have, they removed it after I complained. Why such a rush? When I left (with a heartburn) it was only 8:14pm, and I had 45 min left. I had four courses in 1h15min: this is indeed world class. One fact that struck me was that almost 100% of the guests were foreign tourists, I couldn't see any French people. Summary: it developed into a tourist trap with still reasonable food. read more

Wow! This was simply one of the best meals I've ever had. From start to finish the food and service was top of class. The staff was wonderful, especially the Chef, who has incredible culinary skills! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a very special dining experience. After dinner, take a short walk over to the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the lights, it makes for a magic evening in Paris! read more

Spent a good portion of my youth in Ami Jean. The then owner taught me French & about Basque food. Incredible experience. New owners...chef & they are keeping the spirit in a newly redecorated venue. Will take the family this next time. read more

I first wondered in some six years ago, because there was always a crowd just inside the door, patiently waiting for a table ! So one day I joined in and I had a great experience in every way. The food, the atmosphere; the hosts - a "local" French (and Basque as it happens) restaurant you have read so much about but have difficulty finding. We had lunch there in 2009 - and it was without doubt the best meal we had on our European trip of six weeks. And it was full of locals on their lunch break. Please don't go there and spoil it for us ... read more

This was one of those extraordinary meals I will always remember. The service was attentive from beginning to end. The servers were friendly, welcoming, and funny. This along with the tables being very close made for a very convivial atmosphere. If you're looking for a traditional French meal served in the grand style with starched white linens and a stuffy atmosphere, this is not the place for you. My party enjoyed sitting near others and getting to know one another as we enjoyed our incredible meals. We started with the house terrine de campagne served with baguette and cornichons pickled in house. I had the braise veal cheek which was so tender it disappeared on the tongue. It was served in a demi-glace with a purée de pommes de terre. As other reviewers have mentioned, the riz au lait, or rice pudding is divine. It comes with some sort of crumble and whipped salted caramel. It could easily be shared by 3 people. L'Ami Jean is not to be missed on any trip to Paris. Yes, it is on the pricey side, but well worth it. I have no problem paying those prices for such wonderful food (quantity and quality) and experiences. 131€ for 1 large appetizer, 2 mains, 2 desserts, wine, and coffee. read more

Overpriced and absurd service. The waitress literally removed my soup from my table to give to another customer. My husband had to send back his dish because it was cold. Completely baffled about how this restaurant has 4 stars. There are so many wonderful restaurants in Paris, with great food at appropriate prices. THE BAD SERVICE WAS MEMORABLE, THE FOOD WAS NOT!!! read more

We came here for the fancy, eight course meal. First of all, we sat right by the kitchen, and got to see all of the drama taking place between the chef and the waiters and things got busy. The first course was Parmesan soup with crunchy onions and peas, which was awesomely creamy. Next were mussels in the most crazy flavorful broth that was salty, oniony, and garlicy. Third course was pig nose; I found the texture to be a little off-putting. Next was dogfish, drowned in olive oil and Parmesan cheese. I don't usually like cooked fish, and fish with cheese seems pretty weird, but this was amazing. Fifth up were razor clams in a miso broth. The meat course was a rack of lamb, which was juicy and gained a lot of flavor from the burnt parsley sprinkled on top (the chef literally lit the sprig on fire during plating). The cheese course came with a raspberry jam. Finally, we got not one, but two desserts. The first dessert was the biggest bowl of rice pudding, which would feed about 8 people, with salted caramel whipped cream and pralines. I wish we could have finished the whole bowl. The second was a small cup of lemon custard with a cookie on top. read more

We had the 4 course business lunch. Parmesan soup, wild boar, and of course the famous rice pudding was excellent. The chicken while very impressive presentation wise, was a little bland. It was all white meat but cooked perfectly. I would've liked a bit more seasoning. Service was good and the staff seemed passionate about the food, so much so that they waited for us to finish our last piece of chicken before "allowing" us to move onto desert. It was a playful jab at us tourists but also very French of them so I didn't mind it at all. Good bang for your buck especially for a gourmet experience. Overall, a great meal in Paris with an inventive menu...wouldn't mind going back. read more