I don't give fivers easily and hesitate to do so for this 'no reservations' tapas spot for fear it will be impossible to slip in and find a table immediately like we did last night. However, as the long awaited second restaurant to the back-of-the-butte dining darling, Table d'Eugene, it won't stay secret for long so I might as well spill the beans.
The place is bright, buzzy and busy - think fun tapas joint with friends and not so much romantic dimly lit dinner dates. We were a party of seven and they cheerfully shuffled us into the last few open tables. The menu has a selection of about 25 tapas ranging in price from 4 to 14 Euros as well as a choice of planchas with cheeses, charcuteries. I believe there may be something beyond the planchas, but I barely made it that far as I got so busy deciding on tapas and planchas.
We took a plancha of charcuterie, which was excellent, as well as one of cheese; also top notch (forme d'ambert, morbier, chevre & two others which are escaping me this morning). We ordered about 10 of the tapas plates. For each tapas we took 2 plates since we were seven. This seemed to work well. Each plate is a good amount to share with about three (possibly four) people. The highlight for me were the jamon croquettes, the cepe and truffle risotto that accompanies the pork, and the croustillant de cochon. But all were excellent. Oh, and the joue de beouf, oh I can't forget that one! Also a big favorite. We finished with some dessert tapas. I'm more a cheese-tooth so I ignored the sweets, but the table gave general approval. The previous night four in our party had dined at another of my favorite restaurants, le Chateaubriand. We all agreed that we were enjoying la Rallonge's tapas plates better than our meal the prior night. And that says something when you can stack up against the Chateaubriand.
Wines are reasonably priced and we started with a little Chablis at about 22. We followed with a few reds - which i enjoyed but was less attentive to (due more to the distraction of the food, the late hour and my general fatigue after a busy few days) Any bottle of wine can be bought to go for 6 Euros less than its menu list price.
Service was friendly. The chef was out on the floor chatting with tables and giving recommendations. We finished full, happy and a bit merry after a fair bit of wine. Two in our party didn't drink wine and paid 22 Euros, those of us who did partake paid about 40 Euros. These days in Paris, it feels like prices are continually creeping and I think that's a very nice price for a nice dinner out.
Finally, the food, fun and company were all so good I never once thought to stop and take a picture. And, that's saying something as I'm kind of a terminal clicker! read more