Le Trumilou — Restaurant in Paris

We were seeking one last classic Parisian bistro for our brief visit and Le Trumilou has been touted as one of Paris grand old birds of the bistro world.

We opted for a table outside, as the evening had promised rain, but it held off. What better way than to end the trip with a dinner alongside the Seine? While I enjoy sitting at cafes outdoors and enjoying the passing scene in Paris, this was not quite the quaint urban scene one might expect. The quai de l’Hôtel de Ville is a busy traffic-thoroughfare and so the continual traffic might distract a little from the ambience.

We started with a Kir Royal and this was a fantastic gem of a representation of this classic. Dark and ruby and redolent with cassis, it sat wonderfully on the tongue. A promising start.

This was followed by the avocado caviar, with a basket of sliced baguette. The salad was marginally wilted and the avocado on the verge of browning, but the dish was still palatable. A pretty presentation perhaps hiding a slightly fading glory. It was passable.

The beef filet with black pepper sauce was devoured, along with an accompanying side of mashed potatoes. This dish was well-received.

The free-range chicken, however, was not quite so happily regarded. It arrived swimming in its cider sauce and over-cooked. Dry and clinging to the bone, it was eventually pulled out into the mire of the sauce. Not its finest hour.

The mushroom fricassée was a welcome respite from the risottos often on offer for vegetarians. Fried mushrooms are always a delight. If there was one negative to this dish, it was that there might have been some form of contrast to go with it. Fried mushrooms and burrata might well have paired well with some toasted bread or crunchier vegetable, for example. Otherwise, quite good.

To finish things off, we ordered a dish of classic profiteroles. And classic they were. Light, ice creamy and doused in chocolate sauce, with a side of whipped cream. Delightful.

Worthy of a name in the best and most classic Parisian bistros? Without having tried a bunch more, that’s hard to say. Good? Yes. Outstanding? At least by my standards and reckoning,...

This restaurant was recommended to us by a Paris chef. We did make a reservation and normally, we would recommend that. When we arrived, it was busy, but shortly after cleared out and stayed that way for a Sunday night. I had my first Aperol Spritz and my friend had a glass of white wine. My AP came out in a branded glass 🍷! This is certainly a Paris thing I noticed. The servers had some English speaking skills, but it wasn't strong. The bartender spoke English better it seemed. I ordered Salade de Chèvre Chaud (Goat Cheese Salad) and Aubergine Gratinée Végétarienne, Poivrons & Tomates as my starter and meal. My friend ordered Soupe à l'Oignon (Onion Soup). She said her soul wasn't very hot, but the flavor was pretty good. My salads (both) were undressed. The goat cheese salad was warm goat cheese toasts and very lightly dressed salad... And when I say lightly, it was like a sneeze (yes yuck, but that's what I used that day). The salad that came with my eggplant was literally dry. I rubbed several pieces between my fingers... No dressing at all. I had to ask for vinegar and oil. After, they were much better. The eggplant was okay. It needed salt, but it didn't have a lot of flavor either. To be clear, the texture was great. It wasn't soggy at all. Afterward, the lights were dropped and they played a birthday song for me and brought out a delish combo of a raspberry sorbet and vanilla glace (ice cream). They were so flavorful and excellent. I also ordered a Tartlette citron Meringuée (lemon tart with meringue) for take away that I ended up eating a day or two later (it was not very good after sitting...I would recommend eating it in the restaurant or at least the same night). I want to say Thank you again to the servers and bartender who were there... They were excellent. It's hard to be a vegetarian here since there were only two options on the menu... I...

We visited this restaurant for dinner based on a recommendation and we’re so glad we did! Despite a little bit of a language barrier, we managed to order our appetizers - an avocado “caviar” and oeuf de mayonnaise. I think what was brought out instead was a daily special which was eggplant based, and whereas I was expecting more like deviled eggs, what we received was a salad with eggs and mayo was n the side. Despite the hiccup, it was delicious. The eggplant dish was really good, and not sure what makes French mayo taste so good, but i had no problem slathering this over my eggs.

For our main meal. My husband ordered the duck with prunes with a side of pan fried vegetables and I had the beef fillet with pepper sauce and fries and a nice glass of Bordeaux. I am not a fan of duck but this was the best duck I’ve ever tasted. I would seriously have no problem going there again and ordering that dish.

My steak was medium, as requested (glad they asked!) and I appreciated that they served the gravy without the peppercorns. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ordered a similar dish and they filled with them. Biting into them just ruins the dish for me. This sauce was so good I kept dipping my fries and bread into it. And I truly did not mind that it got...