There are many ways to experience a place. Landmarks, language, public transportation, tours, and my personal favorite, food. So when I decided to go to Paris, naturally I spent hours shortlisting restaurants, farmers markets, and food stands to visit. Le Perchoir was by far the best (though also the most expensive). However, what followed when we reached the rooftop was an experience.
My boyfriend is vegetarian and it had been a challenge finding flavorful vegetarian food in Paris. However, the dishes we had at Le Perchoir restored by belief that the French do EVERYTHING better (music, art, wine, fashion, history, language, dessert, and lets tack vegetarian onto that list!!).
First, we were served a basket of bread...the most soft, fluffy, tasteful, warm, thick, golden bread I've ever had. I can taste it in my mouth as I type this and I finished it all before remembering to take a picture of it (tear).
Next, the waitress brought out mini metal buckets with fresh radish sticking out. When I looked inside, I saw that the veggies were propped up in a dirt-like mixture (huh?). Did the waitress just scoop up these radish from the garden? Am I supposed to clean these off myself? Raw radish at a fine-dining restaurant?--the gist of questions in my head. Then, the waitress explained that the "dirt" was edible, and the dish did not disappoint. The texture was exactly how you'd imagine it, but the taste was salty and earthy (in the best way possible). I can't really think of anything to compare it to, but it went magnificently with the radish.
Following our bucket of dirt, the waitress brought out the main course, starring asparagus in a cream sauce with fried onions as a complement. I grew up eating very hot and spice-rich Indian food, which has definitely ruined my tastebuds. So it takes a LOT for me to call something flavorful. Somehow, this dish, prepared with minimal ingredients (I'm guessing asparagus, duh, olive oil, salt, pepper, cheese, heavy cream, fresh scallion, and fried onions) somehow sent my tastebuds to heaven and back. My mouth was having a luv affair with this meal (sorry bae). This dish convinced me that the quality of ingredients matters more than quantity.
Then came the most crucial part of the evening: dessert! In my books, dessert makes or breaks my food experience. And dessert at Le Perchoir was nothing short of a showstopper: black forest cake topped with whipped cream and cherries accompanied by a creamy pale yellow custard-pudding (is that a thing?). The cake was rich, chocolate-y, and decadent; the cream was fresh and light; the cherries were a perfect balance of sweet and sour; and the pudding was creamy and mild so that it complemented the cake so well.
Finally, the ambience at Le Perchoir is perfect for a romantic evening away from the crowd. If you're looking for a low-key experience among the locals, I would recommend checking this place out. Its a welcome escape from the more concentrated areas of Paris.
Hope you get a chance to go! Gonna go read this again 10x to re-live the experience.
(TFW you eat a 4-course meal.)
