Mrs. Planecrashlaw was putting together a list of places that we dined over the past 2 trips (11/08 and 9/09) for some friends, and I thought I would post her efforts here. Happy to answer any questions via PM.
"We highly recommend the following bistros and restaurants, in which we have dined, in the past 2 years (in an attempt to keep the list current). But, we’ve had so many outstanding meals over the past 7 years, and are sure many of the places we dined in during the earlier years are still going strong. Our goals in choosing our dining itinerary for this list are:
• small, non-touristy bistros,
• chef resumes proving outstanding experience,
• various internet sites for a consensus of excellent reviews
• and reasonable prix fixe menus, given the decline of the U.S. dollar against the euro. Most of these are between 29 and 34 euro for 3 courses, not including any of the tempting supplements, which we more often than not go for!
Reservations are highly recommended for lunch and dinner, as these are all very small bistros.
This list is in no particular order, and not in order of preference, because we couldn’t possibly choose our favorite! Individual dishes are not noted, because the menus change so often. Just be assured that all meals were superb!
Au Bon Saint-Pourcain
10 rue Servandoni
6th arrondissement
Metro: St. Sulpice
01-43-54-93-63
We originally chose this for its proximity to the hotel we have stayed in over a dozen times since 2002, Relais Saint Sulpice. However, the traditional bistro food is outstanding, and the ambiance truly, homey Paris. The owner, a big, jolly man, doesn’t speak a word of English. His daughter however, does. You receive a complimentary glass of Saint Pourcain wine from the restaurant’s sister vineyard.
Ches Les Anges
54 Boulevard de LaTour-Maubourg
7th arrondissement
Metro: La Tour Maubourg
01-47-05-89-86
A very modern bistro/restaurant owned by the same people as Au Bon Accueil, serving market and seasonal cuisine. Very reasonable prix fixe menu, with lots of delightful goodies, including a pre-dessert! A place after my own heart!
Le Timbre
3 rue St-Beuve
6th arrondissement
Metro: Line 4: Vavin; Line 12: Notre Dame Des Champs
01-45-49-10-40
Very tiny (thus the name “timbre”, which means postage stamp) bistro owned by a Brit, but the food is true French. The menu changes with the season, and is delectable!
L’Ourcine
92 rue Broca
13th arrondissement
Metro: Gobelins
01-47-07-13-65
This is very hard to find, maybe a taxi is your best bet, but don’t let the location stop you from going! La Regalade chef owns this small bistro. Delicious, creative dishes at reasonable prices.
Chez L’Ami Jean
27 rue Malar
7th arrondissement
Metro: Invalides
01-47-05-86-89
An elbow to elbow bistro, with Basque influences. Very gourmet goods. I must mention their signature dessert, the rice pudding. It’s served in a big bowl, with a side shot of burnt caramel crème to pour on top. You take what you want of the pudding – but couldn’t possibly eat it all.
Le Beurre Noisette
68 rue Vasco de Gama
15th arrondissement
01-48-56-82-49
Out of the way bistro with great food for only 30 euros for 3 courses. OK, so we got the grin and the “vous sate’” question after each of these courses. Yes, we loved it!
Chez Michel
10 rue de Belzunce
10th arrondissement
01-44-53-06-20
Metro: Gare du Nord
No room to spare between these tables, for a good reason: need to feed as many as possible with the fabulous food! This is a place with lots of supplements on the menu, bringing up the price of the 30 euro prix fixe. But, a great variety of choices, many not normally found.
L’Ardoise
28,rue du Mont-Thabor
1st arrondissement
01-42-96-28-18
Metro: Louvre/Tuileries
This bistro makes the list, not falling under the “non-touristy” category, because it’s so darn good! Have dined here (maybe) 4 times over 7 years. Always been very pleased. Note: try to get on the main level, not the basement.
Ze Kitchen Galerie
4 rue des Grands Augustins
6th arrondissement
01-44-32-00-32
Metro: St. Michel
Very modern, contemporary French with Asian influences. Lovely room. Kind of tough to find rue des Grands Augustin – a small “lane” even taxi drivers have trouble finding. Worth the work though!
Dalva
48 rue d’Argout Paris
2nd arrondissement
01-42-36-02-11
Metro: Sentier/Las Halles/ Etienne Marcel
Loved this little bistro!! The owner lived in Chicago for some time. Market fresh, inventive fare, done by a chef formerly from L’Arpege and Taillevent. Don’t tell too many people about this, because I want to be able to get a reservation again next time!
Frenchie
5 rue de Nil
2nd arrondissement
01-40-39-96-19
Metro: Sentier
Small bistro, with a small menu: only 2 choices for the entrée, plat, and dessert. But, you will want to order both and share. You can’t go wrong with anything on this market fresh menu!
Glou
101 rue Vieille du Temple
3rd arrondissement
01-42-74-44-32
Metro: Saint Sebastian Froissart
Modern bistro with awesome food. More imaginative than traditional bistros, but with the expertise of French cooking. Located behind the Picasso museum (which is now closed – as of 9/09, for a couple of years for renovations).
L’Ardoise Gourmande
12 rue de Belzunce
10th arrondissement
01-48-78-40-03
Metro: Gare du Nord
We sat outside at this lovely, cheap, bistro, right across from Chez Michel. Surprisingly not just old school French, but offers variety as well.
Rotisserie du Beaujolais
19 quai de la Tournelle
5th arrondissement
01-43-54-17-47
This is on the list for 2, make that 4 reasons: 1 – the best rotisserie chicken ever; 2 – the best mashed potatoes (other than L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon – but cheaper); 3 – open on Sunday; 4 – Beaujolais the cat!
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
5 rue Montalembert
7th arrondissement
01-42-22-56-56
This made the list because it’s our very favorite restaurant in Paris. We’ve been there all of our 16 trips – twice in 1 trip! It is not inexpensive, but is totally worth the value and experience. Unless, you are “us”, you can’t make reservations for anytime other than for lunch, and for their first seating at 6:30, so be prepared to wait or even be turned away. Love it!
OTHER FOODIE SPOTS
LaFromagerie 31
64 rue de Seine
The best cheese shop in Paris! They also serve cheese tastings: 6, 9 or 12 various selections, which can be paired with a green salad and soup, if you wish. We take a soft sided cooker and bring home many cheeses, which they will shrink wrap for you.
Gerald Mulot
76 rue de Seine
A most amazing patisserie, with the best baguettes! You’ll be amazed at the beauty of their pastries, which taste even better than they look!
Le Grand Epicerie
At Le Bon marche
This is the gourmet grocery store!
Pierre Herme
72 rue Bonaparte
You will not taste any better macarons anywhere. Even better than Laduree!
La Derniere Goutte
6 Bourbon-le-Chateau
American owned wine shop with bottles from 8 euro to “the sky’s the limit”. We visit this shop every time we’re in town, and stock up on wines for the sipping while in Paris, and a 6-pack to take home. They have free wine tastings every Saturday afternoon."
