Beloved Ft. Worth’s Saint-Emilion just opened it’s spin-off restaurant, Paris 7th, just down the street, at the former Le Cep location. While offering many items from the Saint-Emilion menu, it has a more metropolitan feel with with wines, cocktails and a small entry lounge area. After some minor renovations, St. Emilion will return as a more casual French bistro space, while Paris 7th will take advantage of the extra real estate and larger kitchen by incorporating more service pieces, like French carts.
Upon entering, we noticed although some Le Cep design features were still intact, the space had a warmer ambiance while still maintaining a sleek European feel. We quickly glanced at the wine cage and noticed some to-die-for selections and vintages. We were seated and offered a few different menu options. We chose to try the “bistro” menu, which is, by far, one of the best “deals” in town...a three-course meal for $30.00 (including tip!) and special bottle pricing from $15.00-$22.50.
This week’s Bistro selection is Potage Parmentier, Hangar Steak and Frites w/ Rosemary Garlic Jus and Gateau au Chocolat. We also added a couple of starters, a la carte...Caviar and Foie Gras. We opted for the Bistro wine special to start...a bottle of Domaine de Paraza. At $22.50, this French Syrah is a great value...red fruits, a little spice, medium finish...easy drinking and light, perfect to start with. We then chose a magnum of 2005 La Sirene de Giscours Margaux. After researching this bottle (on our own), we discovered $157 was a fantastic price for this vintage. I say “on our own” because when we asked our server how the 2005 compared to the 2010 and 2011 (vintages we’re familiar with) her response was, “Well, I dunno, I’ve never tried it, but that’s a lot of wine for the money. People gravitate towards this one because you’re practically getting two bottles at a low price.” After a moment of shocked silence at our table, we ordered the wine and asked for it to be decanted to enjoy with our main course. When she disappeared, we assumed that she had the bottle breathing in the back, albeit surprised she didn’t offer a taste, first. But then again, after the description we received, we knew not to expect a proper wine service.
After indulging in a sliced warmed French baguette slathered in the creamiest most heavenly butter, our Petrossian Royal Ossetra arrived. Savoring the mild, delicate roe on crème fraîche atop a warmed blini was a divine experience. An ice cold shot of Texas Tito’s finished off this decadent treat.
Next up was the slightly seared silky duck foie gras with cider-poached pear, almond butter, almond and pear crumble, paired with a glass of Sauternes. Beautiful balance of sweet and savory, this pairing was definitely memorable.
Our first “bistro” menu course was Potage Parmentier, a potato leek soup named after Antoine-Augustin Parmentier. While serving in the army, this French pharmacist was captured by the Prussians and had to eat potatoes, something known to the French only as hog feed. After returning to France, this experience prompted him to pursue his studies in nutritional chemistry and in 1772, the Paris Faculty of Medicine finally declared potatoes as edible. The Paris 7th version was velvety smooth and simply spiced with parsley, salt and pepper.
After finishing the Syrah, we started to wonder where our Margaux was hiding. Come to find out, the bottle was not in the back breathing...when our server finally brought it out to open and taste, our steaks arrived, not allowing for the proper time to decant. To make matters worse, our glasses were not kept full and sat empty for several minutes until we could wave someone down to retrieve and pour for us, throughout the meal.
The main course of Steak and Frites was just average. The fries were hot and crispy and nicely seasoned with rosemary and salt. The steak was tasty, but forgettable. Two ordered rare and the others, medium rare. When served, the plates were placed incorrectly and it was up to us to figure out who got what, which wasn’t easy because of the medium to well bits found in all dishes.
The dessert was nicely presented with a candle (we’re still celebrating our anniversary lol). Very light and not too sweet, the chocolate cake was a big hit and paired nicely with another bottle of Syrah!
All and all, a lovely experience. If the manager and/or maître d’ made a habit of visiting tables, maybe these service snafus could have been avoided, but not once, did anyone check on us. We’ll definitely visit again with the hopes of improved service.
