Le Chateaubriand

NileGuide Expert tip:

If you don't reserve you won't get in

Description:

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  There's great ambition here from a characterful cook. Maybe because the owner of Le Chateaubriand, Inaki Aizpitarte, is a Basque the dishes he serves are by no means standard French, but the serious, almost didactic approach is such as you might expect in any of the grandest restaurants of the capital – not a little industrial-chic place a few streets from the funky Canal Saint-Martin. So there are no gold-leaf murals or red carpet, only a five-course tasting menu for dinner. The carte changes daily according to the market (and, perhaps, to highlight the chef's creativity). There is no choice – this is not the place to order anything "on the side" - the owner has a bad-boy vibe – you may just get thrown out. A summer Saturday night menu began with amuses bouches (little appetisers), included "fish & chips", thon de Saint Jean de Luz caponata, beef with Japanese basil, and finished with apricots, honey and more rare herbs. For roughly twice the price, you can accompany each dish with a carefully matched wine or liqueur.
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