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What to order at Brasserie Lipp?









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  1. Brasserie Lipp is close to many restaurants with good food. I'd go to one of those....

    1. You don't go chez Lipp for the food. The choucroute is what most regulars order.

      1. "What to order at Brasserie Lipp? "
        I assume this is a joke or test.
        So the answer is "a taxi."

        4 Replies
        1. re: John Talbott

          Almost pulled a Parigi spurting coffee on the keyboard!

            1. re: John Talbott

              Sorry sweet100's, I apologize, that was flip and mean.
              To be serious and honest, we've all been to Lipp, the Cafe Flore, La Coupole, the Closerie de Lilas and the Deux Magots and other Left Bank places that were the stuff of The Lost Generation up through Sartre & Beauvoir.
              But, speaking for myself, I think even for a coffee, one can do better.
              And in addition, I think most of us think nothing of taking the subway or bus 10-40 minutes away for a good meal (we don't always succeed, but I at least want to stretch a bit.)

              1. re: John Talbott

                John Talbott, my base expectation (hope maybe is a better word) is deliciousness for every meal in Paris.

                In other words, my hope is, regardless of any other constraints we must operate under (day, time of day, travel time available, location, distance, etc), in a city called Paris, if I have researched properly, I should be able to find a delicious meal.

                On days when we have minimal constraints, I merely have to read past postings, which I am doing, with special attention to yours, all those people whose names start with a P..., mangeur, etc., Then we choose from 10 great choices. How easy is that! :-). On days with minimal constraints I'm positive we'll experience a delicious meal.
                (Yes I do realize nothing is 100%, any kitchen can have off days, waiters can be surly anywhere, etc.)

                Ex: This weekend I had fewer than normal time constraints and weather mostly cooperated. So I spent 16 hours (elapsed) making our all time favorite turkey ranch sandwich, starting with brining a turkey breast then smoking it. This Thursday my time constraint will be ~2 min. So I will heat up roasted salted almonds, and grab my favorite hummus and barely roasted veggies for dinner. But given time and calorie constraints I have during the week, that is still a delicious meal.

                The reason why I asked about Brasserie Lipp:

                - I read both favorable and iffy comments here on it (Yes, I searched) http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5918...

                - It's probable that in our 10 days that include 2 Saturdays and 2 Sundays, we'll want a Plan B location close by for lunch or dinner in a place with hours as flexible as Lipp.

            2. Food is very average at Lipp, avoid the fish by all means.
              I don't think they serve lapin à la moutarde.
              Choucroute is better at Bofinger.

              The only thing I'd order at Lipp would be a tartare.

              1. Oh my goodness! :-)
                OK, I would call this a consensus.

                John Talbott, no apology needed, I'd rather know what you really think.

                I was trying to think of a good Plan B place near the hotel when Plan A reservation in another location doesn't work out for whatever reason.

                Though with La Fourchette and Yelp, maybe we'd be able to at least avoid the bad places and find a decent place on our mobile on same day.

                8 Replies
                1. re: sweet100s

                  Chez Fernand, rue Guisarde. Hip, fun, local.

                  1. re: Parigi

                    Around the corner, on rue Mabillon, I have La Petite Cour checked off as one to look at.....

                    1. re: Parigi

                      Agree with Chez Fernand. Or for more funk, Machon d'Henri across the street.

                      I personally would not cash a dinner chit at La Petite Cour. Not great, not inexpensive. Better follow Parigi for something less pretentious and costly.

                      1. re: Parigi

                        I was actually looking at Chez Fernand because I need a place open on Sunday nights. What two different reviews mentioned was "Bruit: Bruyant" or "ambiance bruyante." Sounds like it's a pretty loud place, not my favorite for a dinner à deux.

                        1. re: RandyB

                          This is really becoming a problem here, so much so that I carry, record and write the dB levels.

                      2. re: sweet100s

                        Ok, help me here, I'm an old semi-senile guy, what exactly do you need; a place near your hotel - that's it? A place 10 minutes walking, 20 minutes subway? Good or merely OK food?
                        Parnassien, where are you now that we need you?

                        1. re: John Talbott

                          I think that Maximilien nailed it. We all had or have different preconceptions of Paris. If Lipp is one of sweet100s' imaginary "old friends", she should go ahead with a visit, order simply and enjoy the history and the moment.

                          1. re: mangeur

                            If Lipp is one of the old friends, Balzar is also a short trek from Lipp, looks just as good, and at least they have good fries. Why not visit both?