Comments on: Low Tide at La Cagouille; Gilles Choukroun in fine form at MBC

By: Accidental Parisian

Accidental Parisian — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:25:12 +0000

I've just come across your site and I love it. I agree with the other posters that it's great to have such honesty in reviews. I've been reading plenty of reviews and guidebooks, trying to find a spot for an upcoming birthday dinner, and I'm struck by how the same 12-15 restaurants come up again and again. Really That's it It makes me wonder how much reviewers just feed off of each other, rather than really seeking our new places. So thanks, and keep it coming.

By: John Mihalec

John Mihalec — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:48:04 +0000

Alec, I agree, and I'm not trying to steer you away from identifying great new places, of which Gaigne was a terrific example, among others. But for residents of Paris, at least, you can get some of that from Figaroscope too. All I'm saying is that what's really rare, and I haven't found anywhere else but in your book, is someone who has the balls to stand up to the places already in many guidebooks that don't deserve to be there anymore. It's a true service, because that's where Americans and Brits are likely to find themselves if they don't have help from you.

By: Alec Lobrano

Alec Lobrano — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:40:05 +0000

John, I'm very glad to have you on the site, and hope it leads you to some good new meals. Re the idea of new restaurants in Paris, however, my goal is to specify those new places that are actually worth a meal for anyone who's visiting Paris for a week or less.

If hundreds of new restaurants open in Paris every year, what I think most readers are yearning for is short-list of the best new places to go.

Cheers, Alec

By: John Mihalec

John Mihalec — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:37:50 +0000

Alex, the best part of your book is not the new restaurants you find (which are always more numerous than anyone can cover) but your fearless identification of the name places that don't measure up any more, as you have done here again with La Cagouille. Thank you. A true public service. But that mackerel tartare sure sounds good at MCB. Next visit.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:13:51 +0000

I had a memorably mediocre meal at La Cagouille a few years ago, courtesy of Patricia Wells and her list of favorites. Since we're only in Paris once every year or two, wasting a dinner in my favorite city is rather frustrating.