I believe you can tell a great deal about a restaurant from the people dinning within. Are there regulars present? Do people seem to be enjoying the food? Is there a positive vibe? In a place as tiny as La Cerisaie (probably ten tables in total) it is an easy task to observe and answer these questions. I have never seen a more enthusiastic crowd of dinners in my life, many of whom were regulars, enjoying the fantastically prepared dishes of cuisine from south-western France. If I lived in Paris I, too, would become frequent visitor. As it is, I can hardly wait for a return visit to both Paris and this little gem of a restaurant in Montparnasse! Other reviews have used words like "SURPERLATIVE", or phrases such as "THE place for high quality French food" or "The place for food lovers" or "Only a few tables and meals cooked with great care" and I could not agree more!!!
We arrived at 7:30pm and were the first there. Our server was absolutely as charming and professional as he could be. He made us feel completely and unconditionally welcomed and comfortable. By 8pm the place was packed with happy, enthusiastic customers, many of whom were clearly well known by the staff. By 9pm, as we were paying our check, at least a dozen people or more had been turned away at the door. That's when we realized how lucky we had been to get a reservation earlier that same morning!
We chose this place because of the cassoulet, the famous dish from south-western France, so our order was almost predetermined. We also chose the oeuf cocotte as our starter, another house standard, plus one special first course of a flan made with dorade and served chilled. Both were outstanding. The following cassoulet was magnificent, savory and delicious beyond description, but the desserts were phenomenal. Plum crème with meringue, chocolate mousse with raspberry sorbet, and puréed fig with blue cheese sorbet. Each preparation and presentation a celebration of the highest order.
La Cerisaie is truly an exceptional restaurant in a city of exceptional restaurants. It is a destination not to be missed! read more