Le Montparnasse 1900

Last Wednesday we had our first French meal (read: 7 courses!) when we met up with one of Marie's American coworkers, Mike, at a very nice restaurant called Le Montparnasse 1900, in the Bastille section of Paris. This was our first taste of the extremely leisurely approach the French take to dining. There is bread on the table throughout the meal, and we were started off with an aperatif (cocktail) to start.

Then came the entree. In France, the appetizer is called the entree, and the main course is called the plat. Mike ordered the escargot, so we both got our first taste of snail, served in its shell! Interesting texture, similar to clams but a little meatier. I got the duck foie gras, which was pretty good, but very very rich. Marie had the onion soup, which was amazing. This is the tastiest, cheesiest, Frenchiest onion soup I've ever seen in my life. We've been trying to find something similar elsewhere in Paris but have yet to even come close.

Then it was on to the plat, the main course. Mike and I each got steaks. One thing about meat in France: it's always medium rare, no matter what temperature you order. So if you like your meat more on the well-done side, just beware. Marie had the canard confit, super flavorful and moist duck.

After that we were served a small salad to lighten the meal, and some cheese (I think it was camembert). Next it was on to dessert, where we had creme brulee and ice cream before the final course, coffee. There's no rush for anything, so be prepared to sit and enjoy the company you're in because you're not going anywhere for a while.

This is the soup dreams are made of:

Snails!

Foie Gras de Canard:

Canard Confit: