Dinner here is a tough reservation to snag. The food is plentiful and well prepared but pricey considering the environment. Based on reviews we wanted to walk away impressed but were slightly underwhelmed. Perhaps a case of high expectations but not worth a return visit read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Paris. If I was a local living in Paris, I would be a regular here...it's just that good! Reservations are a must here, we went on a Thursday night and this place was packed. I saw at least 3 parties go in and leave disappointed when they couldn't get a table. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you are immersed in the bustling atmosphere...its loud, you sit elbow to elbow with your neighbors and you will love every minute of it!! We ordered the petit version of the chef's tasting menu (le Petit Voyageur 55 Euros per person) and boy, were we in for a treat. We had reservations at 9:30 pm and we left the restaurant at 1 am. I was so full that instead of calling a cab, we ended up walking back to your apartment (30 min) at this late hour...do yourself a favor and skip lunch if you want to have the chef's menu. I seriously was dying from food coma after the end of our meal. It's a favorite on chowhound, so you will see some tourists but mostly the local are the majority here. Servers are very friendly and if you need any help, just ask. Everything is so fresh and amazingly tasty. The dinner started with fish soup. I had no idea fish soup could be so tasty...I almost licked my bowl clean. As part of the tasting menu, we got St Jacques scallops in their shell from Normandy...one of the best dishes of the night. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hzz02o6WpMtWywDf2wt5Gw?select=fMFrw-_5btkxyiJC9_THfQ Next came veal with sweetbread...the meat melted in my mouth, it was so tender and so full of flavor...Amazing!! They were accompanied with a big platter of mushrooms tossed in olive oil, garlic and parsley....loved them! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hzz02o6WpMtWywDf2wt5Gw?select=ZUCEnvB6qS7q7OjhwelnEw http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hzz02o6WpMtWywDf2wt5Gw?select=I7bmWX5iSUXKHLKL7nq4Gg Then came a fish course...the mackerel was perfectly cooked and seasoned, loved it! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hzz02o6WpMtWywDf2wt5Gw?select=w-qS1QESpV0o9vzlTdlTVA There were a couple of more dishes, but I was too busy eating to take note. By the time they finished serving the main courses, we were already too full. Then came desserts...omg...the best thing I've ever eaten. I could not believe that I was able to eat more. If there is one thing you must order, make it the rice pudding (riz au lait), it's phenomenal. They should name this dish death by rice pudding. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hzz02o6WpMtWywDf2wt5Gw?select=q4XgtiN6zqUpx5fHmMxUpA Along with this, the chef sent 3 or 4 more desserts...all of which were heavenly (ashamed to say we ate them all!). I still cannot believe that all this was part of the petit version of the chef's tasting menu....it was amazing and a lot of food!! Overall, Service: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 stars Food: OMG...5 stars Go here if you are in Paris...this is a foodie paradise! read more

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Recommended by a friend who lives in Paris. Did not disappoint. We did not have a reservation, so we ate outside at the bar on stools. The food was outstanding from the appetizer to the dessert. A must when in Paris! read more

Very creative and inspiring food that shows a lot of promise here. The staff is very friendly and cares that you enjoy yourself here. Portions are huge -- American size. We tried the beef and carrots starter. It was an innovative take where the carrot was pureed and also sliced alongside 7-hour cooked beef. It was tasty. We also tried the razor clams and regular clams. They re-used some of the carrot garnish which was disappointing but understandable. The regular clams were superb -- maybe best I've ever had. The razor clams were okay -- a little on the bland side. It's possible the sauce just wasn't even or consistently applied. The pheasant though was outstanding. They suggested having it rare which was interesting. The flavor was very bold and I loved it. It was accompanied by vegetables in a beautiful broth in a cast iron skillet. They were so kind to split a single entree serving into 2 portions and even supplemented it was extra food -- this was incredibly generous of them though I was already getting full after the first 2 servings and some wine. The place itself has a warm atmosphere and is very lively. I'd come back again. read more

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

I was looking forward to this restaurant all trip to Paris. I discovered this restaurant after watching I'll have what Phil's having and I haven't been able to go my last two trips to Paris. Reservations fill up quickly, so I'd try to snag a spot at least two weeks in advance. The restaurant is cozy and you'll notice an open kitchen. Chef Stephan is working up front, and sous chefs in the back. We were given pork pâté to start. The bread and olive oil are delicious - that goes for any restaurant in Paris. The menu's in French, so you might need the server to translate. We started with a clams over asparagus dish, pea soup, and scallops. Every dish was prepared thoughtfully in both taste and texture. The pea soup was phenomenal. Creamy and thick but full of flavor and the crunch was nice too. We ordered the abalone dish and rice pudding to finish. The chef is talented and friendly - I had a chance to say thank you to him after my meal. The rice pudding needs its own section. It DOES match to its hype. It's creamy and possibly the best dessert you'll have. read more

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Subjective: ate here for dinner back in February (late review - writing now moreso for me to remember in the future). Made a reservation about 2 weeks in advance through their website for a Tuesday. Menu is constantly changing - we had a thon japonais (seared tuna salad) and a roasted beef shoulder (see picture). Objective: busy restaurant located in the neighborhood between Les Invalides and Tour Eiffel. English friendly. Assessment: trying not to be superlative, but the beef shoulder was amazing and easily the most memorable dish of our trip (for me). The restaurant gets packed; high-energy, tables close together, highly efficient waitstaff (didn't mind). Hope to return. read more

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

Nice restaurante. Typical French, amazing food. Horrible space, worst than usual in Paris. The first impression was good, we arrived, they are late of our reservation, but offer you a nice charcuterie... When we seat at the table, horrible felling, we seat in a shared table, but very small one, my arm touch at someone on my left and on my right seat. The menu was just in French, and the waiters explain to you in English, but to fast. I'm not American (most of the clients in this day) so will be easy read and have time to choose. My plate was very tastable and with a good presentation. And the desert also amazing, so it was a petty the experience is sacrificed by the supper tinny space. read more

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Food was expensive and average for what it is... rice pudding was good though. I don't get why their seating is so tight. You will be literally next to other customers even though the restaurant is half empty. read more

Hmmm was a little disappointed. This was on my list after watching Somebody Feed Phil. It was our first dinner in Paris and I was excited. Made reservation and the restaurant was packed. Barely any space, so if you have personal space issues, skip this place. We started out with quail and I asked for medium to well done (because a pregnant girl should not eat meat any other way ). The quail was so red (no blood). Just as deep red as possible and extremely chewy. I took a couple bites on the outside and tried my best to avoid the raw part (which was not possible). The quail along with the other entrees we got like their famous pork platter were bland and wasn't as tender. Heard the rice pudding was the best here but we didn't have room for desserts so we passed after being disappointed with their food. read more

This plas was recommended to me by a top Chef. I never knew that food could taste this good! Just GO Pleasant staff and informal, family atmosphere as well. read more

A+ Awesome dinner with Grilled shrimp over ratatulle, grilled delicious pork chop and coquette piglet, (pan one was our neighbors but it looked fantastic so I had to take a pic). Australians are so friendly!! Space was cramped for sure. F---- Service though suckedddd ballzzzz. If you go here make sure you look at the menu on there website prior otherwise get ready to handle a cranky n'importe quoi server. read more

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This may have been our favorite meal in Paris. The food, the atmosphere- everything was delightful. My husband, daughter and I stopped for an early dinner after an afternoon visit to the Eiffel Tower. We sat in the back near the open kitchen and had a lot of fun interacting with the chef. The service was very friendly and our waiter translated the menu for us. The French are so lovely to children and we left with a lot of extra snacks and a souvenir. We were there in April and the menu featured an abundance of delicious spring vegetables (spring fooding is such good fooding!). We started with some perfectly crusty outside, soft inside rustic bread and olive oil. I wasn't even mad there was no butter as we were accustomed to at that point. The amuse was a chicharon the size of your face dusted with pepper and served with a guacamole type dip. I probably could've made a meal of it but was glad I saved some room. We had a dish of roasted baby vegetables that was so tender and buttery. White asparagus seems to be popular and they did a play on a hot dog with green asparagus in a white asparagus "bun." We also had a country style terrine with some magical cooked herbal salt. What looked like a daunting portion disappeared quickly and left us wanting more. The entrees were real show stoppers. We had the most perfectly seasoned, juicy, tender filet of steak and a luscious pork chop. We also saw a few dishes leave the kitchen topped with flaming herbs which was intriguing. Now, hear me out, you need to try the rice pudding for dessert. I know, I know, but it's really creamy and they have crunchy and salty toppings which hit all the right notes. They gave us a family size portion and we definitely took advantage of it. I'm literally drooling as I write this review. When we go back to Paris, we will have to go to L'Ami Jean. read more

Thought this was going to be another Paris tourist trap but NO, the food was amazing, elevated classic bistro dishes and do not miss the rice pudding, OMG. Will definitely go back on our next trip to Paris!! read more

L'Ami Jean is a small cozy and unassuming restaurant nestled in the 7th arrondissement and it's a short walk from Les Invalides. In the typical Parisian fashion the tables are set super close together. Luckily everyone there were very friendly and conversations among strangers could be heard through out the restaurant. Over the years, this place has become increasingly popular with tourists, thanks to Yelp and other food blogs. The downside is reservations have also become harder to come by. The food is sort of classic Basque with a strong focus for the meat lovers. The menu is not large but it changes from time to time and offers the freshest beef, pork, lamb and some seafood. Chef Stéphane Jégo likes to take a break from the kitchen and go around the dining room to greet the patrons. During our first visit a few years back, he came by and dropped off a plate of pork terrine. When we had that wondering look on our faces, he said it's on the house because he hadn't seen us in his restaurant before. That was a rare hospitality I don't usually experience in Paris. The veal cheek is one of the regulars on the menu is the most tender piece of meat I've ever tasted - forget about all that Wagyu and Kobe nonsense, there is no comparison. The Cote De Boeuf is another regular. Don't bother ordering it well-done or you will get a look of disdain from the waiter - only Americans would eat a piece of prime beef that has been destroyed by overcooking. The pièce de ré·sis·tance for a meal at L'Ami Jean has to be the signature Riz Au Lait. I have never liked rice pudding before I tasted this. Its consistency is not the typical soupy runny mush like under-cooked oatmeal I often see; rather it has the consistency of smooth yet lumpy yogurt. The subtle dairy flavor from the milk is very comforting and the toasted and candied nuts added the texture that a rice pudding desperately needed. I've been looking for a similar Riz Au Lait in the States ever since without success - sigh. read more

I started working in restaurants in 96', and have worked in high end restaurants ever since. From the excellent service, to the non stuffy setting, to the chef plating food and running his kitchen like an ace, this was HANDS DOWN one of the best meals I have ever eaten. Wine list is small and excellent, the grilled feta and beef stew was absolutely insane, the chicken duo was literally perfect, and robichon potatoes for the table. I mean, holy god. I will remember this meal for the rest of my life, it was that good. My girlfriend booked it, and I thought I couldn't love her any more. Perfection. read more

In general I try to avoid places that are overly hyped because they always seem to disappoint for one reason or another. That was not the case with Chez l'Ami Jean. I had heard lots of great things on Yelp and around the internet and I've got to tell you.....it's all true. The ambiance was warm and inviting, the servers were understanding of our limited grasp of the French language (and some of our parties dietary restrictions), they were funny and engaging, the food was all fantastic and presented beautifully but not obnoxiously so. Some of the highlights: -The calamari appetizer was glazed in a light teriyaki style sauce and it was the most tender calamari I've ever had, it just melted in your mouth. -I tried two fish dishes, monk fish and cod and both were cooked to perfection, the sauces they were served with were the perfect compliment, not at all over powering. -The rabbit. We were informed that it was the first day of hunting season and all the game options were fresh and brought in that day and they came highly recommended. I've never had rabbit before and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it and I'm glad I did because it was amazing. So tender and so flavorful, I wanted to eat the whole thing but alas, it was not mine. -The rice pudding. Everyone talks about the rice pudding. They bring out a huge bowl and you think "okay, thats just absurd." And then you taste it and you wonder if they'll judge you if you ask for more. It was simple and fantastic. They had a great wine list but we had them choose a few for us. We drank, we ate, we laughed and we all left happy. I highly recommend making a stop here if you're in Paris. Tourist tip: It's within walking distance (20-30 or so minutes) from the Eiffel Tower so make this your lunch or dinner stop after your tower sight seeing. You won't be sorry. read more

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This restaurant is my favorite restaurant in town so far! We had the pork and veal with mushrooms from Normandy which were fantastic! Oh waits let's not forget the mash potatoes-it was so buttery and soft YUMMY! & last bit not least the RICE PUDDING!!!!! Da BOMB! read more

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

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Best meal in Paris ! And I have been eating very well during the week. But I have to say L'Ami Jean, after many other amazing food in Paris, still manages to blow my head! First thing, service can't be better. So friendly and welcoming. Onto the food. We had the lapinou cuisine de gardenier, #countrystyle #rabbit . It left me speechless. The little beast was served in a cast iron pot stewed with #greenspringonions #carrots in its own #jus . The best part tho, imo, was the broth itself that is the essence of the sweetness from the #springseasonal #veggies and #savory #meaty taste from the rabbit. My heart literally skipped one beat after my first bite of the #carrot ! If Julie Child was alive she would applaud as well! My grid got the fried piglets with mashed potatoes. It was also amazing - meat was falling off the bone , super tender . Even the comp amuse bouche was amazing - creamy mushroom soup with onion crisp and favabeans . I knew I would be treated something great when I was served the soup. I will come back whenever I will be in Paris. No doubt . read more

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I was extremely excited to come here as I live in Bakersfield, California which is basically the Basque capital of the USA. I wanted to see what "real" Basque food was all about. Or about as real as you'll find in Paris. I was really taken how small and charming the dining room is. The service was great from the get-go and they promptly asked to hang our coats for us. We already knew coming in we were going to get the tasting menu and were forewarned by the waiter not to eat too much pate' and bread in the beginning of the meal as we would regret it later. I listened but I must say it was the best pate' and cornichons I've ever had. I could have easily just eaten that. We asked for a red wine suggestion and were given a very solid option at a reasonable price point. Well done by our waiter. The food comes fast so be ready. The tasting menu is all fairly small plates but there is many of them. There was mostly seafood dishes which consisted of lots of shellfish and even one with sea snails. I liked how they used so many different proteins in one dish. The most memorable dish of the night had sea snails, clams, cockscomb and beef. It had great textures and contrasting flavors that actually balanced very well. A beautiful dish. One of the other highlights of the night was their signature dessert of rice pudding. It was so thick, creamy and sweet. A perfect way to end our meal. I just wish I could have eaten more of it but I was far too full at that point. One word of advice: Don't be intimidated by this restaurant. I know they are the hot thing in Paris right now but it still has a great small hangout vibe. Just with exceptional food. The prices are very reasonable for Paris and they serve a lot of items you may not see very often and it's exciting to try new things. The reason for four stars is that not every dish lived up to it's potential. There was a couple big misses including a broth that left you wanting some ramen noodles to go with it. Overall though, it's a great experience and I highly recommend it. Plus...Batman and Robin mosaic in the bathroom? Hell yeah! read more

L'Ami Jean - Batman and Robin mosaic in the bathroom - French Near Me - Paris, 75

I've been to probably way too many restaurants but this place is by far my favorite! I've been waiting for Yelp to add Paris for a long time and now I can finally add my favorite restaurant. Chez I'Ami Jean is located on a quiet street highlighted by some amazing Paris scenery. When walking into the restaurant you feel the energy is abundant and the friendly family like feel is infectious. Almost everyone around us was speaking French (great sign). I felt adventurous and asked the waiter to pick out both our meals. My wife is not good with surprises, especially with food, however I definitely won big with this one. I'll stick to the highlights...Monk fish served two ways. It was enough to be two full entrees. The fish was perfectly cooked, with one being the cheeks - so, so tender! I had the pork shoulder in this extremely hot cast iron pot.. The meat and vegetables were beyond good. Simple, quality ingredients always make an amazing meal. We ended up getting the best meal in Paris for around 80 euro with wine. These three courses were amazing and when we go back to Paris it will be our first stop, well maybe just one macaroon on the way. : ) read more

A chef friend of mine recommended this spot and I'm so glad I ate here on my only night in Paris. I had the creamy asparagus soup with fresh peas and Spring onion, roasted chicken with carrots and mashed potatoes, and lemon ice cream with passion fruit gel and sable crumble. The couple next to me had what looked to be an amazing tasting menu. read more

L'Ami Jean - Roasted chicken with vegetables and mashed potatoes. - French Near Me - Paris, 75

My favorite meal in a long, long time. Crowded and definitely not fancy, just exceptionally prepared rustic food. I started with a grilled octopus arm, prettier than that sounds and much more tender, and followed that with a kind of veal pot roast. The reviewers are right, you need to end with the rice pudding, whether you think you will like that or not. I don't know how to describe the style -- maybe this is the food your grandmother would have made, if your grandmother were born a Basque peasant who later married a French count in a second marriage for both of them. Just go. But not when I want a reservation. read more

My favorite meal in Paris, and I eat a lot, so trust me! =) Anytime Jim G. and I go somewhere, I do extensive research to find the best places to go: cheap places, local places, gourmet places. Love them all. I found this place and was dying to go. Stephane Jego is a culinary genius. His Basque-style food is exquisitely made, but reasonably priced. Heaven? Oui oui! Sadly, this little gem is closed between Christmas and New Years, exactly when we were in Paris. Cue the tears now. However, Fate had other plans... Flying back from Madrid to Paris, in order to catch a direct flight to LA, we were snowed in. CDG Airport was closed; flights cancelled. Cue the freak out! Although, I did soon realize, after finding a hotel room and getting more euros, that L'Ami Jean is open!!! A reservation was secured on a Wednesday at 10pm. That is how busy this place is! For 30 euros, we had the three course meal (which changes seasonal, sometimes even daily). Jim G. was quite adventurous and had the waiter bring us his selections of what was awesome. He said everything was, but brought us different dishes to enjoy. Not speaking French, I only can be so specific about the dishes, but just know that anything on the menu is worth it! I started with a yummy seafood starter. Everything was cooked perfectly! My main course startled me: two dishes were presented to me, with the traditional 'voila!' The woman didn't speak English and I had no idea what was in front of me. Someone saw my distress and came over. When I asked him in my broken French if he spoke English, he responded, "But of course!" with a smile =) He explained that I had the Monkfish prepared two ways: Monkfish Cheeks and Filet of Monkfish. Both were divine and both were full-sized entrees on their own! Insane! Jim G. had a stew-type dish with a super hot cast iron mini pot form which vegetables, meat, and a wonderful reduction were served. He made a move to refill his bowl and immediately someone appeared to do it for him. The service is amazing for such a cheap price! The wine list was also plentiful, with great wine service as well. The hostess did double duty as coat-checker and somehow managed to know exactly which coats were ours in the mess of coats! Everyone was warm, friendly, and happy to be there: servers, diners, etc. I do wish I could be more specific about the food here (it was a year and half ago that I was there), but I know how happy I was eating it, how many people I've told to go there, and how quickly I would make a reservation if I were going back. I guess this means I have to go back to Paris... ;) read more

What can I say when you can order a whole Foie Gras with caramelized baby mushrooms, baked sizzling beef bone marrow, cream of vegetable and riz au lait for under 100 euros... The meal was soooo amazingly delicious and well-prepared. The mere thought of it makes my mouth water and gives me the will to work harder so I can save up enough for another vacation back to Paris to enjoy such gastronomic feast. Anyone who happens to be in Paris whether for leisure or business should give this place a try. Just remember to make your reservation in advance. it might be a bit easier to reserve a table during off season but don't expect to just turn up unexpectedly and have a table waiting. read more

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This was easily one of the more memorable meals of my life, not only for the amazing food, but also the friendly and welcoming wait staff. We enjoyed the grilled chicken and the catfish plates after downing the deliciously prepared razor clam appetizer. We finished with the rice pudding (my wife) which turns out was large enough of a portion for at least 4 people. It was served with a caramel butter and roasted pecans on the side which added some extra depth to a dessert I generally dislike (I'm the first to admit that while I am not a rice pudding fan I'd eat this rice pudding every time - had I known going in I definitely would not have ordered my own dessert). I had a citrus flavored mousse (don't remember what flavor exactly) with a licorice syrup swirled throughout. It was absolutely amazing. While there are a handful of standalone tables, generally couples are seated at one of two large group tables. We enjoyed chatting with those seated around us. One thing to note, we felt pretty rushed into ordering and getting our food out. This restaurant is extremely popular so we were afraid they were rushing our order and service to push us out the door and turn the table. However despite the initial rush (order was taken less than 10 minutes after arriving and appetizer was out a few minutes later) we were generally left alone to slowly eat our entree and dessert, finish our wine and enjoy good company. We weren't rushed out of the restaurant at all. And ended up spending roughly 2.5 hours enjoying an amazing meal and making new friends with those sitting next to us. If you find yourself in Paris and wanting a nice, authentic dinner, you need to make your way to Chez L'Ami Jean. You won't regret it. TIP: We went on a Saturday night after having our hotel make us a reservation. The only spot available the morning of was for 7pm, right when they opened. The place filled immediately. So indefinitely recommend getting a reservation and if you aren't flexible on time, make it many days in advance to ensure an available time. read more

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So I have no idea why anyone is giving this place less than 4 stars. Oh wait, I know, because they have little to no clue about dining. Tips: 1) Do the 7pm seating and get there early. The banter with the staff at start of service is wonderful. 2) If you don't speak fluent French, save yourself the hassle and just get the six course tasting menu. 3) Blow the budget if you must and get a bottle of Burgundy wine to go with the tasting menu. You'll hate me for the cost but love me for how well it pairs with the tasting. We had: Cream of Porcini Soup -- TO DIE FOR Pork Terrine -- Yumtastical Risotto -- more taste explosions Quail Breast -- OutSTANDING Monkfish -- SO Well cooked I cried Duck -- quackity yum yum that came with mashed potatoes that you will commit a felony to get hold of again in your lofe THEN they brought two desserts... Rice pudding...totally holds up to hype Strawberries, Cream & Mint Ice cream To sum up...shut up & go at 7. Get the tasting menu. Burgundy. Crawl out happy at 9:15ish. You're welcome. read more

The moment you walk in you get this neighborhood restaurant feeling. The staff is welcoming and nice. Although we had a reservation, there was still a wait. Ok let's talk food. You instantly notice the high level of execution and presentation in all the dishes. The foie gras is divinely wrapped with perfectly cooked calamari. You get what you pay for with generous portions of pork chop and cod. Unfortunately some people may find it redundant that they use the same ingredients and sauces in several of their dishes. In our opinion, the pepperoni on the pork chops and foie gras was unnecessary. The entrees were salty enough with seasoning and sauce. But the pepperoni on top was salt overkill. A simple addition of greens or even potatoes in le canard, or duck soup could have balanced out the saltiness. ​There is no question that the star dish is the riz au lait. The recipe passed down from Jego's grandmother has everything you want in rice pudding: its sweet, creamy and thick. The dulce de leche gives the dessert that extra hint of sweetness. The pistachio brittle brings in a crunchy component. And the addition of creame anglaise provides his signature richness. Le riz au lait itself is worth the visit! Kev from www.adreamersholiday.com read more

I last minute planned a christmas trip to Paris, and L'Ami Jean came through as a recommendation from a friend. We got the 80 euros / pp tasting menu given our limited understanding of the menu and after the table next to us had complained about the quality of the fish. Pros - Rice pudding: Make sure you save room for this. Excellent dish, likely my favorite from the entire meal - Fun dining experience - tables are actually really packed together as other reviews mention, but you also get to have interesting convos with your neighbors who generally share appreciation for gourmet wine / food - Generally not too heavy, some other tasting menu dishes were excellent Cons - Limited transparency on what is on the tasting menu - when I asked one of the servers what was included he had no idea, said likely fish meat and cheese (duh...) but up to the chef. I wish they had more flexibility and transparency, as I imagine this does not change throughout the day at least. We ended up getting 3 fish dishes out of 6... my boyfriend is allergic to seafood. And no cheese as initially promised. - Service. Preferential treatment for those who speak French is very clear, but I was pretty annoyed it took us 3 hours from start to finish... it was a 6 course, not a 16 course. Expect slow and sometimes unfriendly service depending on the waiter, some are really nice but others not so much - Food was overall good but not great. Had higher expectations. All in all, this visit warranted 3 stars given the 1) service 2) lackluster food given prices but bumping up to 4 due to the excellent rice pudding. Would recommend a la carte but also would recommend doing research into what you would like to get in advance or at least have a general idea. read more

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

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Must be a fan of stew & small spaces. Service was poor. Main course came before appetizer. Ordered 4 dishes between my daughter & I. All we're oily, too salty & over cooked. Service forgot about us. Never brought our drinks. Soooooo many other colorful & inspiring places to go in Paris. They however are stereotypically rude. So if you're bored and in the mood maybe try it??? ***My Paris dining experience has been excellent up until this point. Stereotypical in the most American "t.v." kind of way. read more

Our visit for dinner on Tuesday night was AMAZING! From the charm of the staff and the most flavorful food you'll enjoy in Paris. If you don't appreciate great food and wine...don't waste their time and then write a bad review. My husband and I enjoyed our meal with another couple, and this was definitely the restaurant highlight of our stay. I don't even like rice pudding and tried theirs...couldn't stop eating it. This is a must to order after your meal. We will be back next year when returning to Paris...French cuisine at its finest! read more

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

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The staff was probably thinking, "stupid Americans!" as we walked in, hungry and dazed (after our night time tour of the Eiffel Tower) 5 minutes shy of last call. The host matter-of-factly informed us that the kitchen would be closing soon so they would "whip up something with whatever they happened to have left". They just so happened to have a baby's arm sized chunk of pate, two whole dover soles, and a giant Thanksgiving-sized pan of beef with bone marrow. We topped it off with a nice bottle of bordeaux. Suffice to say, we wish we had maternity pants on while eating this amazing meal. We were embarassed about the feast as they were near closing, but the staff was very gracious about it all. The atmosphere was everything I'd imagined a typical somewhat casual Parisian eatery would be like; smokey air, people laughing and chatting in French while downing red wine, and semi-dim lighting. So word to the wise and hungry: if you're tired of the tourist stuff and need some feeding, Chez l'Ami Jean is the place to go (before last call of course). read more

i can't decide on my last meal on earth but i could eat that in this unpretentious Basque restaurant that stands out in a city full of haute cuisine. chef-owner Stephane Jégo reinvents food cooked at his grandmas kitchen but keeps true to tradition and taste. the chalkboard specials that change with the season will satisfy any carnivores craving for all sorts of charcuterie & terrines, baby lamb from the Pyrénées, foie grasentier, veal daube, chestnut stuffed roasted quail, grilled venison loin and seafood cooked like no other. la pièce de résistance - Riz au lait 'grand-mère' en service, confiture de lait - rice pudding served with pralines, dried apricots and a dollop of miel (honey). mag-ni-fique. read more

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Just back from a month in Paris and had a yummy meal here: Mamman soup and grilled quail, very nice red wine. Cheery bistro, refuge in the cold March weather. The parmesean soup, amazing as has been called out in other reviews, would have been enough, but reservations at dinner were impossible so I settled for lunch and added the delicious perfectly grilled quail. Squeezed in on top of neighboring table so be prepared. Two larger corner nooks for parties of 4 or more would make a great choice next time. I would have loved to go there again and again but it was mpossible to get a reservation, even at lunch, once Fashion Week arrived. read more

This is my most favorite restaurant that I visited during my May trip to Paris. Service is just amazing, we sat near the kitchen so we get to see the chef in action. He is also very charming, sharing picture of his daughter to us , stopping to take picture with a couple other patrons. Food is yuuuuummmyy.. I had the most exquisite white wine and herb mussels OMG... the portion is big too... that thing is delicious! As an entree I ordered the veal or maybe veal neck.. which is good, but a tad salty. Husband got the 75 euro dinner set menu which is ridiculous because he got so many courses. There is no way he could finish that on his own!! If we return, I may want to see if they allow me just to get one appetizer and share his set menu. It's way too much! I really enjoy the soup from his course, the lamb two ways, the cheese and this berry compote/jelly omg! I'd like to just get that jelly in a jar and take it home with me. For desserts, we also get the vary famous rice pudding plus another set of desserts ( eclair, some ice cream and I forgot what else). The eclair was out of this world!!!! Delicious... It just really does not make sense to not order the set course because my appetizer and main probably cost 60E and the rice pudding is a 10E.. Overall I am very glad to have gone to Chez l'Ami Jean. I decided to go here because chowhound raves on it and I almost did not go since we have been eating too much. I called them one month in advance from US to make reservation over the phone. They don't take reservation through email. Btw, if you are going , you may also want to make two reservations for two days ;P So for dinner, they only have a la carte or the 75E set menu. I think for lunch there is a 55E , 75E set menu and one that is lower. Just goooo.. already! read more

This place is good... actually great. I'll agree with the poster who suggested a possible Michelin Star. We had planned on a late dinner after an evening visit to the Eiffel Tower and asked the concierge to make arrangements for us. Thankfully, at 10 pm they were able to squeeze us in. It took us about 15 min to walk over and the place was PACKED. The dining area is no larger than 1000 sq feet but patrons didn't seem to care. We sat smack in the middle at a communal table and were elbow to elbot with other diners. There was 1 bartender who was also polishing silverware and 4 waiters running all over the small space to ensure everyone was happy. Inside the kitchen were 4 chefs furiously working and different from a Guy Savoy etc, there was lots of talking, sweating and action. We opted for the tasting menu and it was all quite delicious. But before it begins they put a dish of "pate" to be eaten with a crusty bread. It looks a lot like meat loaf but there were hints of foie inside. Dishes were fresh and the seafood was expertly cooked. The rice pudding is legit and the other desserts served were fantastic. We also ate at Guy Savoy, Robuchon and Pur (inside the Park Hyatt and a Michelin Star) and was in the same league. Enjoy! read more

The pork lover's paradise! Tip: just go ahead and order the Chef's dinner menu. It kills them all. 3 starters + 2 mains + 3 desserts. How can you not love a place that gives you bacon pieces and bread along with the menu? Dude, I saw a 3" pork chop that was bigger than my head. Manager joked with us, and the servers were great. I heard a lot of English spoken here, but it's no tourist trap. If you need help with the menu, just ask. read more

Everything you've read is true, this place is absolutely amazing. To top it all off, we walked in on a Saturday night and they squeezed us in with no reservations. HOWEVER, I would not recommend this, as I think we got extremely lucky. If you are there on a weekend, you should definitely make reservations. There was a bit of a language barrier when we sat down, but once we got the right waiter it was all gravy. It didn't really matter though, as we decided to trust their judgement when it came to ordering, and boy are we ever so glad we did. As they suggested, we had a three course meal, and tasted some of the most delightful food I've ever had. The mushroom appetizer is KNOCK-OUT delicious. Their meats are tender and impeccably prepared. The wine list is extensive. To top it all off, the RICE PUDDING!!! OMFG. You must get the rice pudding. The waiter told us it was the best rice pudding on the planet, literally, that's what he said. We shrugged it off, but he was right. THE. BEST. RICE. PUDDING. EVERRRRRRRR. One last note. Besides the amazing meal, the wait staff and management there are extremely helpful, understanding, and aren't afraid to have a laugh with their customers. They treated us with utmost respect, even if we didn't speak French. This goes down as one of my top five all time favorite restaurants! read more

Rating: 82/100 pts Preface L 'Ami Jean is certainly one of the more challenging reviews to write. I can't say I enjoyed all of the food, as some items were a bit extreme even for my (self-proclamed) eclectic palate. That being said, I believe the quality of the food to be superb, so I am going with 4 stars. I was looking for a nice, elegant meal on this particular night in Paris. If this is what you are looking for, look elsewhere--Paris has plenty of other restaurants for precisely that. The ambiance here is raucous and lively rather than noble, and more than anything, I felt like I was amongst a happy crowd in a medieval beer hall, which belies the artisan nature of the kitchen. Budget-wise, L 'Ami Jean is up there, but this is matched by quality. Decision Time The biggest decision you will make here is whether to order A La Carte or Carte Blanc (leave it to the chef). If you are an adventurous eater AND are super hungry, get the Carte Blanc, which will be a LOT of food. Otherwise, you will probably enjoy the meal more if you just order the things you like. I ordered the 7-course Carte Blanc meal (which largely changes on a daily basis). For a party of two, it came out to around 165 euro. My Carte Blanc: - Parmesan Soup (5/5): This was pungent and flavorful. Poured at the table. Amazing. - Risotto (5/5): Risotto with wild mushrooms and scallop, topped with coarse back pepper and bonito flakes, with a CAPPUCCINO poured over it. Amazingly creative, and the ingredients worked like a symphony. I'm not even huge on mushrooms or scallops, but this dish was something to write home about. - Razor Clams (?/5): Razor clams must have been in season in November, because it seems like they came up wherever I ordered a course meal in Paris. These were lightly flavored in a stew, but I am not a fan of this shellfish. - Cod (3.5/5): Topped with baby eels and sitting in a soy-based stew. The filet was amazingly thick, but more chewy than flaky, as cod usually is. Not prepared to my liking =( - Beef Shoulder (5/5) and Veal Gland (?/5): Served with a light-yet-flavorful carrot puree. The Beef Shoulder rocked the house. It was incredibly tender, falling apart light butter. The Veal Gland had a liver-like texture, and was a bit too exotic for me. - Cheese (4/5): Served with a blueberry jam. Great, chalky flavor. - Rice Pudding (5/5): Served in a huge vat with fixings to add in. I was already full at this point, but had enough room to realize that this is the best rice pudding I've ever had. - Mini-Parfait (4.5/5): Sour grapes topped with cream and sweet chocolate nibs. Awesome. Summary This was the most expensive meal on my trip, but only the 2nd or 3rd best. Still, a fantastic meal nonetheless, which I would definitely like to repeat when craving something to challenge my palate. The kitchen is set on providing a modern and creative French/Basque eating experience, and are certainly talented enough to do just that. read more

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In reality, I would've given it a 3.5; however, it was just a conducive place to eat, regardless of good the food is. I'm about the whole experience. This restaurant has been around awhile; it's always been very popular with locals and tourists. I have a friend who lives in the 7eme (Little America), so I asked him if he wanted to join me for lunch. We got there at 1 pm and it was about two thirds full and we got a table next to the kitchen, which is open for viewing. I now know why it was open; the Chef Stephane Jego is quite the character. He's like a one man show, sometimes funny, sometimes very "Gordon Ramsey" going off on his sous Chefs and helpers. When he needed to sneeze, he'd sneezed louder than anyone I've ever known. So, I guess in a nutshell, he's quite eccentric. Actually, he looks like he's crazed. But one thing I can say, he's a hands-on Chef, I don't believe any plate left the kitchen without his final touch. There are two pre-fix lunch menus, one for 35€ and another for 42€. We chose the 42€, it looked much more interesting. For our entrée my friend had the "Tartine de - tante - coquine... Jardinier de saumon" whichliterally translates to "Aunt's naughty tart of gardener salmon". I have to say, I tasted this dish and it was delicious. It had a salmon atop a nice crunchy crust and the citrusy flavors just enhanced the oiliness of the salmon. This dish was definitely a winner. I had the "Fondue de veau de tête... Navet Boulangère en gratiné", translated to Fondue of veal's head with the baker's turnip gratiné. Interestingly enough, it was served in a square plexi-glass with a bowl molded into it. My friend really liked the dish, I thought it was good, but what was a little disconcerting I bit into some tiny inedible cartilage, but the overall taste was OK, but it did not wow me like the salmon. My friend had the "Volaille de sélection... Pochée, rôtie, ail et thym" which translates to "Selected poached chicken, with roasted garlic and thyme." The chicken was poached really well, and the surrounding girolles (chantrelle mushrooms) were to die for. And, they gave an extra bowl of the girolles, which we shared, in addition to mashed potatoes. I had the "Cocotte de boeuf de race...., Girolles mitonnées" translated to Beef casserole with simmered chanterelles". When it first arrived in came in a bowl with what looked like a dollop of herbed butter. Then the cocotte came and it was in a very, very hot casserole. The waitperson later spooned the cocotte into the bowl. I have to say, in addition to the salmon, this was equally my favorite dish. I know the beef was simmered in wine, but it almost had a taste of anise. I wanted to ask the Chef if he used pastis (French anise flavor liquor); whatever it was, it made it even more delicious. The portion was huge; fortunately my friend helped me eat it. For dessert, I had cheese with some jam. As I mentioned in previous blogs, you cannot go wrong with cheese in France. My friend had the "Clinique du bonheur en foret noire", translated to Happiness Clinic in the black forest". It was really rich. It was the Chef's interpretation of a Black forest cake, with lots of whip cream. It was a pretty large portion. My friend loved it, but did say it was a bit too much (portion). Interestingly, we got what look like a Chinese take out box filled with macaroons shaped like gigantic "kisses candies", that was a nice touch. It's a small restaurant, extremely hectic and frantic, at times the busyness felt unnerving. The Chef doesn't care what you hear or see in the kitchen, it can be a good sign, but at the same time annoying, since I didn't come to watch an episode of Gordon Ramsey. The service is fast and efficient, lots of activity and running around, I felt like I was in a "Mash" unit, only the patient is the food. And, for this reason I rated them a little lower than I would normally. Regardless, the food overall was very good. My two favorite dishes were the salmon and the cocotte. I think the 42€ pre-fix menu was a bit pricey. Net-net go for the food, not the ambience, and definitely NOT for a quiet romantic dinner or just to even have a conversation. It's very noisy and frenetic. With a glass of wine, a bottle of their filtered water, which by the way I thought was free but was 5€ our bill came to 97€. read more

One of the greatest and most memorable meals for my wife and I! Contact them and make reservations if you are staying any length of time in Paris. Not only is the food of such high quality and full of flavor, but their service is warm, ample and hospitable. Chef Stephan (also the owner), is at the top of his craft and shows he genuinely cares about his customers. What my wife and I ordered between us: Starters: roasted quail breast, and razor clams in broth with vegetables Mains: beef shoulder marinated in red wine for 7 hours, and roasted guinea fowl. A side of mashed potatoes. Dessert: rice pudding that comes with 2 different toppings - salted caramel mousse and a pistachio based crumble. Wine: red, by the glass, from the Languedoc region. I could write all the superlatives and adjectives possible. But instead I will simply say that all the dishes were so good we'll never forget any of them, no exaggeration. And the service was the warmest and most attentive we experienced in 2 weeks of restaurant dining in Paris. If you go to/live in Paris and are a meat eater, love good service and are looking for good memories to reflect back on, then Chez L'Ami Jean is the place for you! read more