Champs Elysees.Intimacy, charm, marvelous food and professional service best sum up our lunchtime experience at Champs Elysees Champs É·ly·sées A tree-lined thoroughfare of Paris, France, leading from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. Noun 1. , an up-scale French restaurant located in the hotel zone along Paseo de la Reforma Paseo de la Reforma (a Spanish-language name that roughly translates as "Promenade of the Reform") is a 12 km long grand avenue in Mexico City, Mexico. The name commemorates the liberal reforms of 19th century president Benito Juárez. . Before heading up to the dining room, be sure to check out the well-stocked wine cellar behind the staircase. The surprisingly small dining area was lightly decorated yet chic regardless, and the wall paintings deserve special recognition for their artistry. Though Champs Elysees' dimness and relative emptiness seemed a bit dreary at first, we later realized it is likely much more popular as an intimate dinner establishment, where quick kisses and an occasional caress can be discretely exchanged in the numerous semi-private alcoves along the walls. Beautiful windows near the tables that patrons may open allow in refreshing zephyrs and the tree-lined street viewable from inside helps one forget strip club-laden Zona Rosa is only a block away. Beginning our meal was not easy. The dazzling menu offered an overwhelming selection, but as the cliche goes, you have to start somewhere. We ordered a pricey smoked marlin, the Champs salad, escargot and the Dona Silva soup. The smoked marlin, served in olive oil and parsley, was extraordinary, while the salad was a nice mix of greenery and mozzarella moz·za·rel·la n. A mild white Italian cheese that has a rubbery texture and is often eaten melted, as on pizza. [Italian, diminutive of mozza, a cut, mozzarella, from mozzare, cheese, though the dressing poured on top was too profuse pro·fuse adj. 1. Plentiful; copious. 2. Giving or given freely and abundantly; extravagant: were profuse in their compliments. . The escargot, or snails, was a traditional French treat, even if lacking a tad of garlic, but the shocker shock·er n. One that startles, shocks, or horrifies, as a sensational story or novel. Noun 1. shocker - a shockingly bad person bad person - a person who does harm to others 2. was the French onion soup French onion soup is an onion and beef broth based soup traditionally served with croutons and cheese as toppings. Although ancient in origin, this dish underwent a resurgence of popularity in the 1960s due to the growth of French cooking in the United States. . It wasn't what I asked for. I ordered the Dona Silva, described as vegetable soup with cream. But instead of making a fuss, I decided to try it and I'm glad I did because it was a tantalizing tan·ta·lize tr.v. tan·ta·lized, tan·ta·liz·ing, tan·ta·liz·es To excite (another) by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach. mix of cheese, sliced onion, croutons and spices. For our main dishes, we feasted on lamb chops, huachinango filet and grilled salmon. At this point, I feel obligated ob·li·gate tr.v. ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing, ob·li·gates 1. To bind, compel, or constrain by a social, legal, or moral tie. See Synonyms at force. 2. To cause to be grateful or indebted; oblige. to note we were extremely impressed to see that such a classy restaurant offered a menu del dia, a full-course meal traditional in Mexico that at 260 pesos was a great deal. So, I ordered it. The lamb chops were soft and juicy, but a little fatty, while the huachinango filet, was a perfectly grilled red snapper covered in a mouthwatering mouth·wa·ter·ing or mouth-wa·ter·ing adj. Appealing to the sense of taste; appetizing: the mouthwatering aroma of a baking pie. caviar sauce. But surpassing even the red snapper's exquisiteness, the grilled salmon was exceptionally tender and succulent, leading one in our group to declare it, "the best salmon ever." It was so savory, I even ate the accompanying lima beans. But the most surprising thing about the salmon was that it was part of the menu del dia! I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what the recipe is for cooking such a great fish, but would the chef please email it to my mother? For dessert, we ordered an authentic cheesecake--which was included in the menu del dia as was the Champs salad--and a good but expensive chestnut pie slice. Though someone tried to talk us out of going to Champs Elysees in favor of reviewing a newer, more obscure establishment, I'm quite glad we didn't listen. Popular, long-time restaurants should also be critiqued and the owners given a pat on the back when they are doing a good job. In the case of Champs Elysees, they deserve un fuerte abrazo. Paseo de la Reforma #316 Col. Juarez Mon. to Sat. 1 p.m.- midnight Tel.: 5533-3698, 5514-0450 9 9 9 US$30 |
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