Facing the RTL studios building is SAVY, a typical French brasserie. When we arrived, a dozen people were smoking outside on the sidewalk. I was not sure what to expect inside... a street brasserie or a restaurant?
Inside is an old restaurant that reminded me of Brasserie Lipp, the famous restaurant on St. Germain known for their Choucroute.
You are welcomed for dinner under a low white ceiling and dimmed lights. Wood, mirrors, lanterns, mosaic floor and wooden chairs around tables covered in white table cloth and set with two glasses, English china and Christofle cutlery.
Tonight we are served by Philippe, an old school professional waiter who masters the art of service and French know how. Two thumbs up for Philippe.
Recommended by Philippe we enjoyed a good red wine: Chateau Malescasse, Haut Médoc 2009, strong on the nose, full bodied, dry on the palate with after notes of red fruits and wood.
Dinner started with a basket of bread and a generous plate of sausages cut into slices with butter. Pairing them with red wine, it was delicious.
- Bone marrow... I've had it in London twice and at Joel Robuchon the fine-dining way, and believe me this is the best of all. Three huge pieces, chunks of big bone marrow, intensely fatty and oily served with a selection of mustard on the side. The plate is served with toasted bread, add a chunk of bone marrow, a spread of mustard and enjoy.
- The homemade foie gras is not to be missed. The real deal!
- Lentil salad needs more flavor, more juice, more freshness.
- Smoked salmon seems like that you would get from a supermarket.
- Ragout of "Tripes" served in a bowl like soup, consisting of skin and intestines, having a strong and bizarre odor, with tomato sauce, ragout of white meat and some bones mixed with pepper corns. Not my kind of food at all. I didn't like the smell or the taste.
- Fries are cut in very small pieces, a large plate was served with the meat.
- Duck and fries, good quality duck with a crispy skin but a bit dry to say the least.
- Good quality meat, good texture and firm served with béarnaise and pepper sauce. However we received it cold and burnt on the outside, we sent it back to the kitchen and it came back even more burnt.
The worst part was that even though we complained about some dishes, returned others and the meat was served cold, they were still invoiced. A €70/person was too much for such a dinner.
It's an overrated restaurant where the dinner was unpleasant.
