Comments on: AU BON ACCUEIL–A Crowd-Pleaser in the 7th, B

By: Alexander Lobrano

Alexander Lobrano — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:00:36 +0000

Thanks, Tom. Haven't been to Chez Les Anges in a longtime--it's been around for a while, but plan on returning soon. Best, Alec

By: Tom Reese

Tom Reese — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:06:25 +0000

We dined at Au Bon Accueil for many years--our favorite in the 7th. I originally found it in a French guidebook. So many great meals and memories...

I'm not surprised that it has changed, because M. Lacipiere was the driving force behind its high standards, consistency, and value. Unusual, isn't it--when most good places are chef-driven?lt;/p>

If you really want to experience what Au Bon Accueil used to be like, head on down to Chez Les Anges on La Tour Marbourg (7e), Lacipiere's new venture. We've eaten there twice (Saint Sylvestre 2009 and June 2011) and, though the surroundings are different, the quality is still superior. We, of course, were relieved.

One continuing similarity is a reasonably priced menu, but some economic peril adventuring into the carte. Still, as at the old place, Chez Les Anges's basic menu is a damn good value, and the carte, for a price, delivers.

By: Alexander Lobrano

Alexander Lobrano — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:58:21 +0000

I felt exactly the same way, John. And if the kitchen here is good, it's not worth those dramatically higher prices. Best, Alec

By: John Mihalec

John Mihalec — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 10:38:28 +0000

Thanks, Alec. The tourists I encountered there were Japanese (3 couples within earshot) all photographing the food, drawn by the same guidebooks, found in translation. My big beef about it was that the a la carte items were much more attractive than the menu, but required not a mere supplement of 40 or 50 %, but effectively doubling the price of the meal. So it was almost as if the menu were a kind of bait and switch, to drive you to the a la carte tab.