Spice level warning — Coq au Vin is not what I expected

I underestimated Coq au Vin. The elegantly balanced description didn't prepare me for the reality. thyme brings a heat or pungency that builds steadily rather than hitting upfront. By halfway through I was sweating but couldn't stop eating.

the terroir philosophy links food to its region of origin. The a Parisian bistro setting means locals eat this with ease while visitors like me reach for water. a digestif of Calvados cut through it better than water would have. Don't order the mild version out of caution — the full version is the point. I'd go back. Three stars only because I wasn't warned.