Newsworthy Date Night: La Fontaine de Mars
You would pretty much have had to be living in a vacuum over this past weekend to not know that President Obama and his family touched down in to spend a few days of “quality time” together. I am not an Obama family stalker but do know that there was a birthday to be celebrated, French Mother’s Day was Sunday (the lucky First Lady was able to be feted twice) and the President did his very best to avoid his French counterpart, Nicholas Sarkozy, denying the French leader numerous photo opportunities that I am sure President Sarkozy was hoping would be splashed all over the news wire.
As the Obamas stay true to their date night ritual, dining out in just had to be part of their trip. I was so surprised by their choice (or more than likely, their researchers choice) as there was no Michelin starred dining for them. Provincial cuisine in a humble setting was their big night out.
(map), in the 7th arrondissement is written up in numerous guidebooks and always filled but if you didn’t know better you might just walk on past it. Granted on a beautiful evening, dining out on its terrace is a most pleasant experience as my daughter and I did several times when we lived a few streets away. Glancing at the posted menu, you still might not be convinced it’s worth the trouble. The food is well-prepared southwest french cuisine which includes sausages, ham, foie gras, and if I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life, it would be their amazing confit de canard et pommes sautées (presevered duck breast with thinly sliced potatoes sauteed in duck fat.) Ooh la la! Totally unpretentious yet now world leader worthy.
It may not be at the top of your list of places you’d want to try, but as I write this and reminisce of meals eaten there, I’m thinking you might want to re-evaluate. And if the President and First Lady thought to order that fabulous confit du canard dish, they surely walked away having “fine dined” in my little neighborhood.
Additonal information
129, rue Saint-Dominique
Métro: Ecole-Militaire, Pont-de-l’Alma
Photo credit: @flickr
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I’m so happy that President Obama’s “people” chose this restaurant for the 1st family to experience. Since 2000, whenever my husband and I come to Paris we eat here (at least one, usually several, nights). There’s another wonderful restaurant nearby, that we believe is even better. We always go here for our 1st and last meal in Paris – “Au Petit Tonneau.” If/when you get the chance, check it out and let me know what you think:)
Temple
Temple, it’s on my list.