After a whirlwind weekend in New York City, Don jetted off to Paris – on business, really – and I to Arkansas for a visit with my mom. His being in Paris reminded me of Le Sâotico , a charming brasserie, practically next door to his office on the rue de Richelieu, that has to be one of the best dining values in all of Paris. AND, if you are vegetarian or have gluten free, dairy free, low sodium or any other dietary restrictions, it’s a phenomenal find!
Our first experience at Le Sâotico was a business dinner with several French clients. Arranged by Muriel who orchestrates all international operations and leaves no detail, including Don’s dietary needs, unattended; owners Anne Surcouf and Chef Hugues Gournay were keenly aware of Don’s low sodium requirements and his dishes were as meticulously prepared and executed as the selections described on the blackboard menu.
Their changing blackboard menu offers a fine selection of classic French dishes and Anne patiently translated into English and explained and described each one. Don and I both chose the salmon quenelles; creamy and superbly fresh with a dash of bright citrus and crisp butter lettuce offering a contrast to the soft richness of the salmon.
Another guest ordered the escargot with mushrooms and a light cream sauce(above). Not your usual presentation, he was somewhat surprised and may have preferred the more classic escargot served with a butter and garlic sauce, but I was smitten with their interpretation and found myself wishing I had ordered the snails!
As the evening progressed, I became increasingly impressed with their fresh, modern interpretations of classic French fare. Take the Duck l’Orange with potatoes gratin for instance:
Anne suggested magrets de canard (duck breast) for Don and Chef Hugues fashioned the crisp, roasted duck breast with vivid, flavorful orange segments (a la duck l’orange) and boiled new potatoes.
Of course I was the last to order and finally decided on the scallops. Paired with a delicate, perfectly al dente leek risotto and a delightful light cream sauce, nearly as frothy as a foam and certainly unlike (better than) any Coquille St. Jacques I’ve ever had.
There were 10 of us and it was a business dinner, so I was low key with the food paparazzi, but after chatting about the merits of Sancerre with the young man across from me I felt comfortable asking to photograph his Duck Confit:
Mental note to self: order the duck confit the next time I’m at Le Saotico, which will be in June when blustery winter temps won’t deter me from exploring. I wonder what Don is having tonight?
Located on Rue Richelieu in the financial district (2nd arr) and surrounded by banks and other financial companies, Le Saotico has a healthy lunch business. Hugues and Anne feel that dining should be a total experience of the senses, jazzy or Latin beats caress your ears and no matter where you’re seated (downstairs in the bar or bistro area or upstairs dining room), artwork, artifacts and homey touches adorn the walls and catch your eye. The cozy bar area boasts a full bar of spirits, an extensive, reasonably-priced wine list and wines by the glass offering, it’s ideal for a business or casual lunch or after hours cocktails.
Intrigued by this engaging English-speaking French couple with their extensive knowledge of special diets, I asked if I could come back the next day and interview them during the quieter hours before dinner. Turns out that Anne and Hugues owned and operated Le Reminet, a well known and popular little restaurant in the Latin Quarter. They sold Le Reminet to focus on their family life but after a few years Hugues couldn’t resist the insistent urge to cook and create that dwells in the heart of culinary artists. For their second restaurant, they chose the name Le Sâotico which recalls the tiny gray shrimp found in the waters off the coast of their native Normandy.
Le Sâotico was born out of Anne’s gluten and dairy allergies and their disappointment and frustration with the lack of options available to them when they went out to restaurants. Hugues culinary training also included a designation for nutrition which, from what Anne told me, is similar to a Registered Dietician in the U.S. People with dietary restrictions know full well that it becomes easier to cook and eat at home and once you find a restaurant that is able to cater to your needs and your discerning palate, you dine there exclusively. That is exactly what Le Sâotico is to us when we are in Paris, food allergies or not, I highly recommend the experience to you as well.
96 rue Richelieu, 2nd
Tel. 33 (0) 1-42-96-03-20
Metro: Bourse or Richelieu-Drouot
Other reviews you might find of interest:
Lora @cakeduchess
How wonderful that Don got to go to Paris recently and you’ll be back in June:) Le Sâotico made a lovely dinner and so nice they accommodate dietary restrictions.
Patty
Looks amazing Priscilla! I’m ready for another visit to Paris and will put this on my restaurants to try in Paris list, sounds like a fun new year’s resolution 😉
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Pathetically I’ve never been to Paris; heck I’ve hardly been anywhere so there is definitely some vicarious living going on in my head. Oh the scallops…to die for.
I appreciate your demeanor about being the paparazzi; I think we have to respect those around us when dining out. As much as I might want a photo; I never want to in any way disrupt someone near me if it would put a damper on their experience.
Kiri W.
Wow – all the dishes look gorgeous and sound delicious. In Europe especially finding a place that lets you special order due to dietary needs is a plus, I find the staff much more rigid (and I am European!) than in the United States. Sounds like a gem I will keep in mind for my next Paris trip!
Gina
Quite the trip. Hopefully the weather will be better when you return. I agree get the duck next time. But everything looks wonderful. Welcome home.
-Gina-
Lisa
I have yet to set fot in Europe, and I must hang my head in shame because whenever I had the chance, I chose tropical vacays instead..alwats wanted all beach, nothing else. Now I crave Europe, every crevice of it, especially France. Until it happens, I must live vicariously through posts like yours. That’s just one of hundreds of places I’d love to try throughout France. Yoou made it ‘real’ for me. The dishes look incredible!
Jennifer-Adventuresome Kitchen
Thrilling to read about this! We stayed in the 2nd when we went to Paris, but somehow missed this find. We’ll definitely visit here next time we go. Three in our family are Gluten-Free. Thanks for a great review!
Sandra's Easy Cooking
Great post, and very inspirational!Restaurant look charming and food incredibly tasty though!
Thanks for sharing and have an amazing weekend!
muriel
Great article and it is so tempting to have such a gem next door….
Just wanted to share with you that now Don is on the menu with a unbelievable signature desert ! Meringue base with chocolate quenelle and berries…. I will get you a picture and the full description of le dessert de Don…. like if I needed an excuse !
Jamie
First of all, I love restaurants in France that have hand written menus and chalked menus – it means the food is fresh and the menu changes with the availability of ingredients. I always have trouble thinking of and recommending restaurants in Paris. This one is noted down!
Lori Lynn
Terrific review Priscilla. Oh how I miss Paris restaurants…
I am loving the leek risotto here.
Safe travels to you both.
LL
Nancy
Another stellar Parisian restaurant. The magrets de canard has my mouth watering. Thanks for sharing all your Paris restaurant tips:)
Terra
I love that I travel for my job, but I want to travel like you do:-) A work trip to Paris would ROCK:-) The restaurant sounds wonderful, and every single one of the dishes look like a perfect treat. Beautiful, Hugs, Terra
Magic of Spice
Oh wow, can I just hijack along on one of these trips…what a beautiful menu and so much for everyone!
Elicia
I loved this restaurant! Their food is amazing and their service was wonderful. They truly make you feel at home 🙂
Priscilla
Hi Elicia – I’m so glad you loved Le Saotico as much as we do! Thank you for taking the time to come back here and let readers know about your great experience 🙂